Chief Administrative Law Judge

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Department of Social Services in South Dakota seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Chief Administrative Law Judge, overseeing administrative hearings and the Office of Administrative Hearings. You will lead a team, shape hearing procedures, and apply complex regulatory law.

Requirements include a JD from an ABA-accredited school, SD Bar admission or eligibility, and 3+ years in administrative law, with strong writing, research, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to the South Dakota Bar, or eligibility for admission with the ability to obtain admission within six months of start date.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Experience (3+ years) in administrative law, regulatory matters, or litigation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Respectfully and effectively handle administrative appeal hearings, including ruling on the admissibility of evidence, ensuring a complete and accurate record, and providing for a fair hearing process.
• Research, analyze, and interpret questions of law presented in the hearing.
• Ensure notices of hearing and other hearing documents are properly drafted.
• Prepare and issue high-quality hearing decisions in a timely manner.
• Manage staff; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal abilities

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited law school)

Job description

Job ID: 38451

Agency: Social Services

Location: Statewide, South Dakota

Salary: $90,000 - $105,000 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: L2

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Department of Social Services seeks an attorney to join our team as the Chief Administrative Law Judge. The primary responsibilities will include conducting administrative hearings for all programs and overseeing the Office of Administrative Hearings within the Department of Social Services.

As the largest state agency, DSS attorneys engage with a wide variety of legal topics and settings, including:

• child protection, foster care, and adoption;
• Medicaid and behavioral health;
• food and nutrition support, income and work programs;
• child support; and
• professional licensing.

Key Responsibilities

• Respectfully and effectively handle administrative appeal hearings, including ruling on the admissibility of evidence, ensuring a complete and accurate record, and providing for a fair hearing process;
• Research, analyze, and interpret questions of law presented in the hearing;
• Ensure notices of hearing and other hearing documents are properly drafted;
• Prepare and issue high-quality hearing decisions in a timely manner;
• Manage staff; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school;
• Admission to the South Dakota Bar, or eligibility for admission with the ability to obtain admission within six months of start date;
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities; and
• Experience (3+ years) in administrative law, regulatory matters, or litigation preferred.

Why Join Us?

As part of the State of South Dakota, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through public service. Our offerings include:

• health, dental, vision, and life insurance options;
• participation in the SDRS Retirement System and supplemental retirement plans;
• generous leave policies and paid holidays;
• a supportive work environment that values work-life balance;
• opportunities for professional growth and development.

Join a team committed to serving South Dakota with integrity, professionalism, and purpose.

This is a full-time position with the Department of Social Services. To learn more about how DSS values and serves South Dakota citizens, visit https://dss.sd.gov/.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• display high standards of ethical conduct;
• communicate effectively and efficiently;
• understand litigation practice and strategies;
• exercise sound judgment when making decisions and take prompt, decisive action;
• analyze information, issues, situations, practices, and precedents to arrive at a logical interpretation;
• work independently while accepting guidance and soliciting input;
• actively seek, collect, and evaluate information to learn more about issues or events;
• successfully plan and organize work activities, adjust to multiple demands, and prioritize tasks to complete assignments and meet schedules and deadlines.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'