Attorney Examiner (Western Region)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks an Attorney Examiner in the Western Region to review information, conduct hearings, and issue well-reasoned decisions. You will work with the Department of Human Services to ensure fairness and accountability across statewide appeals.

The role emphasizes legal analysis, hearing management, and timely adjudications, with telework potential after probation. The position requires a J.D.

Qualifications

• Two years of professional legal work which includes one year of trial work experience.
• Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Certification of current license and active admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Responsibilities

• Hearing Management: conduct hearings by examining witnesses, clarifying issues, and ruling on motions.
• Decision Preparation: review evidence, prepare adjudications, and complete required documentation.
• Legal Research: stay current on laws, regulations, and policies to support accurate case decisions.
• Case Oversight: track and manage cases to ensure timely processing and compliance with requirements.
• Procedural Guidance: provide direction to legal staff and assist with pre-hearing conferences and formal appeals.
• Record Review: examine appeal requests for jurisdiction and completeness and prepare related orders.

Skills

Trial experience

Legal analysis

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

THE POSITION

Are you looking to take your skills to the next level as part of an energetic, collaborative team? Join the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals' Western Region as an Attorney Examiner and help guide fair, consistent, and well-reasoned decisions. This role allows you to support the appeals process by reviewing information, conducting hearings, and applying clear judgment. You will work with professionals across the Department of Human Services to ensure every case receives careful attention. Step into a position where your legal skill helps maintain trust, quality, and accountability!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position supports the appeals process by conducting hearings, reviewing case information, and preparing decisions based on evidence and regulations. The role focuses on ensuring fairness, accuracy, and clear communication within the statewide appeals system. As an Attorney Examiner, you will perform the following duties:

• Hearing Management: Conduct hearings by examining witnesses, clarifying issues, and ruling on motions
• Decision Preparation: Review evidence, prepare adjudications, and complete required documentation
• Legal Research: Stay current on laws, regulations, and policies to support accurate case decisions
• Case Oversight: Track and manage cases to ensure timely processing and compliance with requirements
• Procedural Guidance: Provide direction to legal staff and assist with pre-hearing conferences and formal appeals
• Record Review: Examine appeal requests for jurisdiction and completeness and prepare related orders

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Overtime as operationally necessary
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time upon successful completion of your probationary period and training. Work assignments will primarily take place in the office. Telework will be based on the operational needs of the bureau. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Pittsburgh. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: The starting salary is non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirement:

• Two years of professional legal work which includes one year of trial work experience; and a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.

Special Requirement:

• You must be in possession of a certification of current license and active admission in good standing to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.