Administrative Hearing Officer

290 EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

290 Employment Security Commission in Oklahoma City seeks an Administrative Hearing Officer to conduct hearings, determine eligibility, and render legally binding decisions in unemployment claims. The role requires reviewing evidence, applying federal and state laws, and ensuring due process.

The position is full-time with standard hours, located on-site in Oklahoma City. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree (JD preferred) and relevant adjudicative experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of professional adjudicative or legal work experience (Level I).
• Bachelor’s degree, three years of adjudicative or legal work plus one year as Administrative Hearing Officer; or a JD with one year as Administrative Hearing Officer (Level II).

Responsibilities

• Conduct hearings and determine validity of claims per applicable laws and precedents.
• Identify issues to resolve in appeals; collect evidence per DOL standards.
• Render legally binding decisions and analyze findings of fact.
• Research laws/policy to prepare for hearings; issue subpoenas and administer oath.
• Schedule docket and notify parties; prepare transcripts and maintain case records.
• Review evidence and ensure due process; direct evidentiary investigations if needed.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and on-site attendance is essential.
• Maintain professional communication with staff and clients; handle confidential information.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written comms

Analytical reasoning

Independent decision making

Case management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Details

• Full time
• Primary Working Hours: Monday – Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm
• Location: Oklahoma City, OK
• Travel: Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill all intermittent, job-related travel normally associated with this position.
• Annual Salary - $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 (based on education and experience)
• Job Type Regular

Benefits

The State of Oklahoma offers a comprehensive Benefits Packet, including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.

Essential Functions

• Conduct hearings and determine the validity of claims in accordance with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, including the Administrative Procedures Act, Unemployment Insurance Act, U.S. Department of Labor standards, and other relevant laws, court decisions, and other established precedents.
• Determine the issue(s) to be resolved in the appeals cases and take evidence in a logical sequence seeking to meet all U.S. Department of Labor standards for quality and timeliness of dispositions.
• Render decisions that are binding as law affirming or denying previous rulings based on testimony, claim records, applicable provisions of law and established precedents.
• Independently analyze findings of fact in cases under review, establish findings of fact on new evidence presented, and research case law to determine conclusions of law; may remand cases to prior adjudicative level for further evidentiary investigation.
• Question witnesses and rule on objections, motions, and admissibility of evidence; review documentary evidence and determine elements of a complete case record; afford due process to each party.
• Independently research laws, regulations, policies and precedent decisions to prepare for appeal hearings.
• Ensure that the subpoenas are issued for the scheduled hearing; counsel parties; and administer oath to prepare for formal hearings.
• Schedule or direct the scheduling of the docket of cases to be heard and notify all parties concerned.
• Prepare final decision or direct the preparation of transcripts; keep records on all cases and transmit the transcripts of selected cases to appropriate parties.
• Analyze new laws, rules, and regulation to determine the impact on the adjudicative process.
• Participate in required Division training regimen.
• Follow required OESC and Appeals Division safety / security protocols.
• On-site attendance is an essential function of the position, as the role requires direct interaction with staff, clients, and on-site office resources.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations regarding the specific program assigned; procedures used in administrative hearings; due process and the rules of evidence; decision and report writing; and maintenance of complex records.
• Skill and Competencies – excellent verbal and written communication skills expressing ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to determine complex issues and make independent decisions; interpret liability, eligibility, and qualification requirements for benefits; organize data and prepare written legal decisions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; analyze, interpret and apply various laws, rules, and regulations concerning the specific programs assigned; conduct several projects simultaneously; handle confidential work; follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Work is typically performed in the office setting with climate-controlled settings and exposure to noise levels determined by the office environment. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to talk, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms requiring periods of sitting or standing and daily use of computer and phone. It also requires the occasional use of the office machinery in accordance with safety and security protocols.

Minimum Qualifications

• Level II - Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in a professional position involving adjudicative or legal work as a primary duty PLUS one year of experience as an Administrative Hearing Officer; or a juris doctorate degree PLUS one year of experience as an Administrative Hearing Officer.
• Level I - Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in a professional position involving adjudicative or legal work as a primary duty; or a juris doctorate degree.

Special Skills/Requirements/Preferences

• Computer Skills – Employee must be capable of proficiently using OESC’s standard software (Microsoft Office - Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, and Teams), and the Internet, as well as proficiency to learn other software as needed.
• Employees will occasionally lift, carry and move objects of up to 25 pounds.

Accommodation Statement

OESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.