Appeals Referee

Commerce - DES , DWS; North Carolina; On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

State retirement (TSERS)

Paid holidays and leave

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is seeking an Agency Legal Consultant I (NS) to preside over appeals hearings, interpret applicable laws, and provide professional service to involved parties. The role requires a strong grasp of administrative law and clear communication in legal contexts.

Salary range cited, full‑time schedule, and state benefits are included. Applicants must be licensed in NC and authorized to work in the United States.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of administrative law.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, regulations, and court decisions.
• Ability to analyze facts, evidence, and legal documents.
• Ability to express legal interpretations or conclusions of law clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public and other persons contacted in the course.

Responsibilities

• Provide hearings for contested issues as presiding Appeals Referee, finding facts and applying law.
• Deliver professional, knowledgeable customer service to hearing parties, witnesses and legal representatives.

Skills

Administrative law basics

Legal interpretation

Analytical reasoning

Oral and written communication

Public relations

Job description

Agency Legal Consultant I (NS)

Position Number 60077987 Grade LG06.

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well‑being and quality of life for all North Carolinians. The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

About the Division

The Division of Employment Security is responsible for the administration of the unemployment insurance program in the state of North Carolina. This program is a federal-state partnership, funded by federal and state unemployment taxes, which employers pay on the wages of their employees. Benefits are paid to eligible workers who lose their job through no fault of their own and are able, available, and actively seeking work.

Description of Work

As presiding Appeals Referee, this position must provide hearing parties, witnesses and authorized legal representatives a full, fair and complete hearing on contested issues and any issues that may arise in the course of the hearing process, finding facts that are relevant and applying the appropriate law to the facts they find. This position must provide professional, knowledgeable customer service to hearing parties, witnesses and legal representatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of administrative law.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, regulations, and court decisions.
• Ability to analyze facts, evidence, and legal documents.
• Ability to express legal interpretations or conclusions of law clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public and other persons contacted in the course.

Salary and Compensation

***Recruitment range is $69,704-$74,912***

This is a full‑time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement.

Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Benefits

• 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave
• North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna
• Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision
• NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans
• WeSave Employee Discounts Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the benefits link.

Employer Requirements

Applicants must be licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment.

Commerce does not provide employment visa sponsorship.

Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax by the vacancy closing date.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Additional Requirements

Re‑Entry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals: Our Agency supports the Governor's Executive Order 303 which seeks to re‑employ individuals that were previously incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals are invited to apply for any vacant Commerce position(s) in which they believe they are qualified.

This position is subject to a National and International Background Investigation and/or Fingerprinting as required by applicable law. By providing the requested information, you certify that you have given true, accurate and complete information on this attachment to the best of your knowledge.

Application Closing

The posting will close and stop accepting applications at 11:59 pm on the night prior to the closing date posted above.