Hearing Officer Trainee (Vansant)

Virginia-Employment-Commission; Vansant (VA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

13 paid state holidays

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Virginia Employment Commission in Vansant, VA seeks three Hearing Officer Trainees to learn to conduct fact finding, identify issues, and issue timely non-monetary determinations supporting unemployment benefits decisions. You will review and manage cases, gather information from claimants and employers, apply federal and state laws, and prepare high-quality documentation while safeguarding records.

This role rewards analytical thinking, clear communication, and strong customer service.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the claims taking process and related rules and regulations governing eligibility.
• Strong interpersonal, decision making, and customer service skills.
• Ability to obtain and evaluate evidence and render eligibility determinations within tight deadlines; interact effectively with management, technical and non-technical staff, employers, claimants, and the general public; conduct research; collect and analyze data; contribute to a team environment; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Must successfully obtain and demonstrate requisite skill set (knowledge, skills, and abilities) for position and meet the certification requirements, as defined by the DOL, to become certified as an agency Hearings Officer no later than one year from the commencement of the training program to remain in position.

Responsibilities

• Learn to conduct thorough fact finding, identify issues, and issue non-monetary determinations.
• Review and manage assigned cases, gather information from claimants and employers, apply federal and state laws.
• Prepare high-quality documentation and ensure records are accurate and complete.
• Maintain readiness with required training and respond to inquiries professionally.

Skills

Claims process

Interpersonal skills

Decision making

Customer service

Evidence evaluation

Oral & written communication

Research

Team player

Data analysis

Job description

Title: Hearing Officer Trainee (Vansant)

State Role Title: Hearing Legal Servcs Offcr I

Hiring Range: $45,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Employment Commission

Location: Adjudication West

Agency Website: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is seeking three motivated Hearing Officer Trainees who will learn to conduct thorough fact finding, identify issues, and issue timely and accurate non‑monetary determinations that support fair unemployment benefit decisions. In this role, you will review and manage assigned cases, gather needed information from claimants and employers, apply federal and state laws, and prepare high‑quality documentation while safeguarding all records. You will ensure claims are processed in line with agency and Department of Labor (DOL) guidelines, respond professionally to inquiries, maintain an organized work area, and stay current on required training. This position is ideal for someone who excels at analysis, communication, and customer service and is ready to build the skills needed to become a certified Hearing Officer.

Join the VEC and be part of a mission‑driven agency dedicated to supporting workers, strengthening communities, and promoting economic stability across the Commonwealth. We administer Virginia’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits program with a commitment to providing customer‑centered, accessible, inclusive, and impactful services to support our shared mission: lifting up Virginia, one unemployed worker at a time. The VEC is also an integral part of a historic milestone as Virginia becomes the first state in the South to offer Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). Our agency will be responsible for standing up and administering this new program, which will expand the vital support we provide for employees when they need it most.

We offer paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions); and are a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

If you’re motivated by public service, continuous improvement, and meaningful work that supports opportunity for all, the VEC is a place where your contributions matter!

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of the claims taking process and related rules and regulations governing eligibility.
• Strong interpersonal, decision making, and customer service skills.
• Ability to obtain and evaluate evidence and render eligibility determinations within tight deadlines; ensure administrative and programmatic requirements are performed; interact effectively with management, technical and non‑technical staff, employers, claimants, and the general public; conduct research; collect and analyze data; contribute to a team environment; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Must successfully obtain and demonstrate requisite skill set (knowledge, skills, and abilities) for position and meet the certification requirements, as defined by the DOL, to become certified as an agency Hearings Officer no later than one year from the commencement of the training program to remain in position.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with unemployment compensation programs.
• Demonstrated flexibility and reasonable learning capacity for variance in work assignments.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position is located in Vansant, VA. This is not a remote‑work position.

The VEC is committed to upholding our values in our employment opportunities across the Commonwealth to people from all backgrounds, including all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program, and a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

The selected candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive background check including an FBI fingerprint background investigation and an Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud background check.

Please carefully review the details of this recruitment including the location of the position and the posted salary before applying. The VEC does not provide relocation assistance, and no salary will be offered outside of the posted salary range / flat rate.

The VEC does not provide sponsorship; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work in the US.

Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Applicants needing accommodations should contact the Human Resource office for additional information.

A valid Virginia Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

NOTICE: VEC will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Contact Information

Name: VEC Human Resources / Recruitment

Phone: For the most up‑to‑date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via phone.

Email: [e-mail] for recruitment related questions. Emailed applications, résumés, or cover letters will not be accepted. For the most up‑to‑date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service‑Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.