Hearings Examiner

US Diversity Job Search; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 56,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Labor - Bureau of Unemployment Compensation in Augusta seeks a Hearings Examiner to conduct telephonic hearings, review case files, and guide participants through the hearing process. You will evaluate testimony and ensure hearings comply with applicable laws and procedures.

This role offers considerable independence in managing hearings and caseloads, with support from an experienced team, as you develop well-reasoned final decisions and timely reports for agency action.

Qualifications

• Education, training, and/or experience in administrative law or public administration applying adjudicatory hearings.
• Experience assessing complex information and preparing final decisions or complex reports.
• Preference for knowledge of Maine's unemployment insurance program.

Responsibilities

• Determines time, date, and place of hearing to schedule a forum for decision rendering.
• Assesses testimony and documents to determine final decision on issue or claim validity.
• Explains procedures and rights to ensure participants can participate in hearings.
• Questions parties during hearings to identify issues and clarify testimony.
• Determines legality and direction of testimony to control hearing process.
• Writes formal report outlining issues and facts to advise parties of final decision.
• Advises program managers when policies are misapplied to correct issues leading to appeals.

Skills

Administrative law

Public administration

Hearing process

Evidence review

Decision writing

Education

ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Department of Labor - Bureau of Unemployment Compensation, Division of Administrative Hearings

Job Class Code: 0053 Grade: 26 (Professional/Technical Bargaining Unit) Salary: $56,264.00 -$78,998.40/Annually Location: Augusta Opening Date: September 11, 2026 Closing Date: October 1, 2026 Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team in a critical role within the Department of Labor. As a Hearings Examiner, you'll help ensure that individuals and employers have a fair opportunity to be heard when appealing decisions made by the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.

In this role, you'll conduct telephonic hearings in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, review case files and evidence, ask questions to develop a complete record, and guide participants through the hearing process. You'll evaluate testimony and evidence, make independent decisions, and ensure hearings are conducted fairly and consistently with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.

This position is a great fit for someone who enjoys analyzing information, asking thoughtful questions, solving complex problems, and making well-reasoned decisions. You'll have considerable independence in managing your hearings and caseload while also being part of an experienced and supportive team that works together, shares knowledge, and is always available when you need guidance.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Determines time, date, and place of hearing in order to schedule and provide a forum in which decision can be rendered.
• Assesses and evaluates all testimony and documents presented at the hearing in order to determine final decision on issue or validity of claim.
• Explains prescribed procedures, duties of the hearing officer, purpose of the hearing, and rights of the claimant in order to ensure all parties know their rights and will be able to participate in the hearing.
• Discuses and questions all parties testifying during the hearing in order to identify issues and clarify testimony presented.
• Determines legality and direction of testimony and cross examination in order to arbitrate and control hearing process.
• Writes formal report defining issues and listing relevant facts and documents presented as testimony in order to advise all parties of final decision and instruct agency personnel on appropriate action to take.
• Advises program managers when policies are not being applied or correctly interpreted in order to correct problems which result in appeals.

Skills or Knowledge Required:

• Determines time, date, and place of hearing in order to schedule and provide a forum in which a decision can be rendered.
• Assesses and evaluates all testimony and documents presented at the hearing in order to determine final decision on issue or validity of claim.
• Explains prescribed procedures, duties of the hearing officer, purpose of the hearing, and rights of the claimant in order to ensure all parties know their rights and will be able to participate in the hearing.
• Discuses and questions all parties testifying during the hearing in order to identify issues and clarify testimony presented.
• Determines legality and direction of testimony and cross examination in order to arbitrate and control hearing process.
• Writes formal report defining issues and listing relevant facts and documents presented as testimony in order to advise all parties of final decision and instruct agency personnel on appropriate action to take.
• Advises program managers when policies are not being applied or correctly interpreted in order to correct problems which result in appeals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education, training, and/or experience in administrative law, public administration, or another legal or regulatory field demonstrating competency in applying knowledge of the adjudicatory hearings process, conducting administrative hearings, arbitrations, or mediations, assessing complex information/documents, and preparing final decisions or complex reports.
• Preference will be given to those applicants:Knowledge of Maine's unemployment insurance program would be preferred but not required. Preference may be given to applicants who hold degrees from American Bar Association accredited law schools.

Contact Information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Chris Gagne at [e-mail]

Benefits of Working for the State of Maine:

• No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto-"Dirigo" or "I lead"-as they provide essential services to Mainers every day.
• We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
• Work-Life Fit - Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage - The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Dental Insurance - The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan - The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.86% for Confidential employees. State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you're looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we'd love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.