Special Education Appeals Hearing Officer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Malden (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks a Hearing Officer - Counsel II within the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA), Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) in Malden. You will handle due process hearings, draft detailed decisions, and coordinate pre-hearing matters while upholding due process and neutrality.

Ideal candidates have JD, Massachusetts Bar admission, and strong legal writing/research skills, with experience in hearings or civil litigation, and a focus on special

Qualifications

• Administrative hearing and/or civil litigation trial experience preferred.
• Experience in special education law is preferred.
• Excellent legal writing ability, demonstrated through a sample legal brief or memorandum.
• Proficiency with legal research using automated research tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage a full caseload of due process hearing requests assigned by the Bureau Director.
• Oversee pre-hearing matters and schedule adjudicatory hearings in compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Conduct hearings, rule on motions, manage proceedings, and ensure hearings are conducted fairly, impartially, and efficiently.
• Issue substantive and procedural orders, including written decisions with detailed findings of fact supported by the hearing record and correct application of relevant state and federal law.
• Rule on post-hearing compliance motions.
• Report statistical data relating to caseload and case management.
• Conduct settlement conferences as directed by the BSEA Director.
• Participate in training sessions for constituent groups and the legal community.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director.
• Maintain compliance with ethical standards of the Bar, agency, and Commonwealth.

Skills

Administrative hearing experience

Hearing experience

Legal writing

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Massachusetts Bar admission

Tools

Legal research tools

Job description

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks a Hearing Officer - Counsel II within the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA), Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) in Malden. You will handle due process hearings, draft detailed decisions, and coordinate pre-hearing matters while upholding due process and neutrality.

Ideal candidates have JD, Massachusetts Bar admission, and strong legal writing/research skills, with experience in hearings or civil litigation, and a focus on special