Administrative Law Judge 2

State-of-Iow; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Life Insurance

Paid time off

IPERS retirement

Telework after probation

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

State of Iowa’s Department of Inspections and Appeals Administrative Hearings Division seeks an Administrative Law Judge 2 to adjudicate contested case hearings for state agencies and boards. You will conduct hearings, draft proposed decisions, and ensure due process under Iowa law.

A successful candidate will manage a high-volume docket, write sound decisions, and work independently. The role offers standard state benefits and potential telework after probation.

Qualifications

• Requires current Iowa law license.
• Preference for experience in administrative law, litigation, or clerkship.
• Background check for criminal history and abuse, prior to offer.

Responsibilities

• Conduct telephone and in-person contested case hearings impartially.
• Prepare timely proposed decisions based on law and evidence.
• Ensure due process for all hearing participants.
• Participate in division activities and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

The Department of Inspections and Appeals Administrative Hearings Division seeks an Administrative Law Judge 2 (ALJ) to adjudicate a wide range of contested case hearings for state agencies and boards in accordance with chapter 17A of the Iowa Code and other state and federal law. Responsibilities are as follows, with additional duties as assigned:

• conduct telephone and in-person contested case hearings in a fair and impartial manner
• prepare timely proposed decisions based on applicable state and federal law and evidence presented at hearing
• ensure all hearing participants are afforded due process
• participate in division activities, including work group meetings or other special projects, as assigned

A successful candidate will have the personality and skills to:

• efficiently manage a high-volume docket
• produce fair, legally correct, and well-written decisions
• work and problem solve independently
• enjoy legal research and writing and collaboration with colleagues
• confidently manage conflict during hearings and throughout the entirety of a case
• act efficiently and decisively on motions, objections, and other situations as they arise
• address challenges and provide solutions with a positive and professional attitude

The Department of Inspections and Appeals Administrative Hearings Division, as a State of Iowa Executive Branch agency, offers the following benefits:

• Health/Dental, and Life Insurance
• Paid time off - Nine paid holidays plus generous paid vacation and paid sick leave which begin to accrue on your first day of employment
• Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) defined benefit program
• Regular work hours of Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm with possible telework three days a week following probationary period
• Opportunities for professional growth and development - including training and in-house continuing legal education

A current license to practice law in the State of Iowa is required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in administrative law, litigation, or a judicial clerkship. A criminal history and abuse background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

License to Practice Law in the State of Iowa

License to practice law in the State of Iowa. Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to five years of full-time quasi-judicial or closely-related work involving either conducting legal investigations to obtain evidence or hearing cases relative to specific organizational programs and rendering decisions or recommending action for the disposition of cases.
2. A total of nine years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
3. Graduation from an accredited school of law.
4. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to eighteen months of full-time work as an Administrative Law Judge 1.

Persons newly employed to preside over contested case proceedings in the Administrative Hearings Division of the Department of Inspections and Appeals, must possess a current, active license to practice law in Iowa.