SNAP Fair Hearings Unit Supervisor

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work arrangements for eligible

PERA retirement plans

Paid holidays and leave

Health and dental plans

Job summary

The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) SNAP Hearings Unit seeks an experienced adjudicator to preside over SNAP-only appeals, issue Initial Decisions, and supervise two Hearings Officers II and an Administrative Assistant II. This role ensures due process, handles evidentiary matters, and applies state and federal regulations.

Preferred candidates have nine years of administrative hearing experience, with at least one year in a leadership role, and a Juris Doctorate.

Qualifications

• Nine years of experience presiding over administrative hearings or legal adjudication.
• At least one year of supervisory or lead direction experience.
• Education and experience totaling nine years with supervisory experience.
• Juris Doctorate preferred.
• Strong knowledge of SNAP regulations and due process.

Responsibilities

• Receive testimony and evidence.
• Resolve complex evidentiary issues.
• Rule on motions.
• Issue procedural orders.
• Write Initial Decisions with Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and case outcomes.
• Provide day-to-day supervision of two Hearings Officers II and one Administrative Assistant II.
• Oversee unit operations, manage caseload distribution, and conduct quality assurance.
• Perform evaluations to ensure high-quality work in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Mentoring

Leadership

SNAP regulations

Due process

Administrative procedure

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Hearings Unit operates under the general supervision of the Chief Adjudicator of the Office of Appeals at the Colorado Department of Human Services. The SNAP Hearings Unit exists to provide high-quality, independent, administrative hearings/adjudication services for individuals’ appeals related to SNAP-only actions generated from the 64 counties in Colorado, while guaranteeing due process to the public in a timely and cost-effective manner. The SNAP Hearings Unit is responsible for:

1. Sending all necessary and appropriate notices of hearing to parties;

2. Determining any preliminary matters in an appeal and sending any appropriate orders to parties;

3. Holding state level fair hearings related to SNAP-only appeals and ensuring that each hearing is recorded (cases are heard and recorded using technology such as Google Meet); and

4. Issuing Initial Decisions that include Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and a declaration of the outcome of the case. Initial Decisions are the Hearings Officers’ recommendations of the outcome of cases that are then subject to review by the Office of Appeals for a Final Agency Decision pursuant to relevant state and federal regulations.

This position presides over and governs the conduct of SNAP appeals/ fair hearings including:

• Receiving testimony and evidence
• Resolving complex evidentiary issues
• Ruling on motions
• Issuing procedural orders and
• Writing formal Initial Decisions containing Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and case outcomes.

This position also acts as a unit supervisor with duties including:

• Provides direct day-to-day supervision of two Hearings Officers II and one Administrative Assistant II within the SNAP Hearings Unit,
• Overseeing unit operations, managing caseload distribution through tiered assignments, conducting peer review and quality assurance, and
• Performing evaluations to ensure consistent, high-quality work product in compliance with state and federal regulations

Experience Only:

Nine (9) yearsof relevant experience presiding over administrative hearings or conducting legal adjudication, interpreting complex state and federal regulations, drafting administrative decisions, with a minimum of 1 (one)year providing supervisory or work lead direction.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience presiding over administrative hearings or conducting legal adjudication, interpreting complex state and federal regulations, drafting administrative decisions, equal to nine (9) years, with a minimum of 1 (one)year providing supervisory or work lead direction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant years of State service
• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, or leading administrative law judges, hearings officers, or other legal staff.
• In-depth expertise in federal and state SNAP regulations, due process principles, and administrative procedure.
• Experience developing peer review standards, quality assurance frameworks, and standardized decision templates.
• Juris doctorate

Conditions of Employment:

• Standard background check and reference check required
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Travel in-state will be required
• 1. Disclose that information on the application.
  2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
  3. Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation: Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:
  • Relevant years of state service experience

Minimum Qualification Screening Process: A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review: After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve a reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
• You can find the official appeal form here.
• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:
  • By email ([e-mail]), or
  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or
  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or
  • Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance: At [phone], or Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

How to Apply to the State of Colorado

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact Jade Green at [e-mail]

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.
• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

EEO Statement

*The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer*

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.