Chief Hearing Examiner

State of Maryland • Baltimore, MD

65d • Remote

About The Position

Maryland's
Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program makes sure all workers in
Maryland have paid time off for medical and family reasons. FAMLI is a social
insurance system covering 2.6 million workers and 180,000 employers, delivered
as a digitally native, public-facing service. We're in the early stages of
building something as big and as far-reaching as unemployment insurance or a
new health department. We know that delivering services primarily through a
website, over the Internet, is a new way of doing business in government.

The
Appeals Unit is responsible for providing a fair and impartial process for
reviewing determinations made by the FAMLI Division.� Our Hearing Officers conduct hearings, review
evidence, and issue legally sound decisions while safeguarding due process. The
Appeals Unit is committed to delivering timely, accessible, and high-quality
service to workers, employers, and the public while upholding the integrity of the FAMLI program.�

The Chief Hearing Officer oversees all Hearing
Officers in the Appeals Unit. They are responsible for ensuring hearings are
fair, timely, and in accordance with the law. The Chief�Hearing
Officer sets quality standards, provides mentorship, and works with Division
leadership to strengthen access to justice for all claimants and employers.

The Chief Hearing Officer is a senior leadership position within the Appeals Directorate of the Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) at the Maryland Department of Labor (MDOL). This role is responsible for hiring, overseeing, and mentoring a team of Hearing Officers, ensuring the quality and consistency of their work, and managing clerks who assist with research and scheduling within the Appeals Unit. Additionally, the Chief Hearing Officer is tasked with planning and executing the operational strategy for administrative hearings and will work closely with the Director of Appeals and the Digital Services team to build a Case Management System. This position requires expert knowledge in administrative law and procedures, along with strong organizational, managerial, training, and communication skills. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience as a Hearing Officer and demonstrate the ability to handle complex legal and procedural matters.

Requirements

• A Juris Doctor or equivalent degree from and accredited law school.�
• Candidates for positions in the classification must have membership in the Bar of any state or federal jurisdiction at the time of appointment and must become a member of the Maryland Bar within 12 months of hire.�
• 5 years of experience involving civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings�
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information only.�

Nice To Haves

• Experience in paid leave, UI, workers compensation, or any other benefits administration program is preferred.�
• Experience supervision other hearing officers is preferred.�
• Experience standing up new government programs is preferred.�
• Experience as a hearing examiner is preferred.
• Experience supervision hearing examiners is preferred.
• Note: Total years of required experience can be reduced by 1 year if an applicant has experience administering paid leave programs.�

Responsibilities

• Oversees the administration of hearings for all FAMLI appeals.� Ensures the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of decisions made by the Hearing Examiners.�
• Analyzes complex cases and makes final decisions or recommendations on their resolutions ensuring compliance with relevant laws and policies.�
• Provides ongoing training and professional development for Hearing Officers, Clerks, and other team members to ensure effective operations within the Appeals Unit.�
• Develop and implement processes and forms for administrative hearings.�
• Work with the Director of Appeals and the Digital Services team to improve and implement the Case Management System, ensuring efficient management of hearings.�
• Identify opportunities to improve quality and consistency in decision writing.�
• Ensure adherence to legal standards and regulations.� Maintain a comprehensives understanding of administrative law and hearing procedures to ensure that all hearings are conducted in compliance with Maryland state law and relevant guidelines.��

Benefits

• Flexible hours and hybrid teleworking�
• Paid holidays 12-13 per year�
• Generous paid leave package (annual, sick, personal and compensatory leave)
• State Pension ('defined benefits' plan)
• Tax-deferred supplemental retirement savings plans (401(k) and 457)
• Comprehensive, subsidized health, dental and prescription plans with little to no deductibles, free generic prescriptions, and free preventative health services�
• Flexible Spending Account plans for Health Care and Daycare
• State Employees Credit Union

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees