The agency shall maintain a panel of individuals qualified to serve in an impartial capacity in the resolution of labor disputes.

(1) Applicants for membership on the dispute resolution panel shall demonstrate minimum background and experience equal to the minimum qualifications for the working level positions on the agency staff:

(a) A master's degree in labor relations, personnel management, industrial relations, or closely allied field, or a law degree;

(b) At least three years of experience in collective bargaining with major work assignments in negotiations, contract administration, or related work as a union or management representative, mediator, arbitrator, or educator in the above areas; and

(c) Additional qualifying experience may substitute, year for year, for education.

(2) Applicants for membership on the dispute resolution panel shall provide at least five letters of recommendation supporting their acceptability as an impartial from:

(a) At least two management representatives;

(b) At least two union representatives; and

(c) At least one impartial arbitrator, mediator, or labor relations administrative agency official.

(3) All letters of recommendation submitted under subsection (2) of this section must be signed and dated within two years of the date of the application for membership. Additionally, any letter of recommendation submitted in support of an applicant should be on official letterhead or contain recent contact information for the author of the letter.

(4) Applicants for membership on the dispute resolution panel who desire to be referred for interest arbitration proceedings shall demonstrate their experience as an impartial in at least five grievance arbitration, fact-finding, or interest arbitration cases by submitting copies of arbitration awards which can be provided, upon request, to parties selecting an interest arbitrator.

(5) Applicants for membership on the dispute resolution panel shall submit, in the form specified by the executive director, information on their background, qualifications, professional certifications, and affiliations. All information submitted may be subject to administrative verification.

(6) Applications of persons appearing to be qualified for membership on the panel are forwarded to the commission for consideration and action. The commission shall review each application submitted to it, together with the supporting letters of recommendation, and notify the applicant of the determination made.

(7) No member of the commission appointed under RCW 41.58.010 may be an active member of the dispute resolution panel.

(8) Upon appointment to the dispute resolution panel by the commission, the panel member may be placed under contract pursuant to statute. Only persons listed on the panel may be compensated by the agency under a personal service contract.