Employment Security Appeals Referee

Department of Labor • Middletown, CT

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Employment Security Appeals Division is an autonomous, quasi-judicial agency housed in the Department of Labor. Its primary function is to hear and decide appeals arising from decisions made by Connecticut’s Unemployment Compensation Department, from which it is statutorily independent, and other assigned matters within the jurisdiction of the department. The DOL’s Appeals Division is comprised of the Referee Section and the Board of Review. The Department of Labor has current opportunities for Employment Security Appeals Referees in the Middletown Appeals Office and Waterbury Appeals Office.

Requirements

• Eight (8) years of experience performing technical work in Unemployment Insurance, Job Service or Employment and Training programs.
• One (1) year of the General Experience must have been conducting hearings and rendering decisions on unemployment insurance.
• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
• A Master’s degree in public administration, law or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• A law degree (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
• Knowledge of relevant state laws, rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of Connecticut Employment Security Division appeals process, procedures and operations.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to research, comprehend, interpret and apply laws, regulations and legal decisions.
• Ability to reach sound decisions based on findings of facts, evidence and applicable laws, regulations and rulings.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to utilize available technology to review case histories, research relevant laws and Board precedents and draft decisions.
• Ability to maintain judicial demeanor.
• Ability to handle stressful situations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using ReEmployCT.
• Experience constructing and evaluating legal arguments.
• Experience with independently managing time, in a high production office environment, while meeting prescribed deadlines that may conflict and adhering to production and quality standards.
• Experience with legal writing.
• Experience conducting hearings in an impartial manner.
• Experience with Unemployment Insurance law.

Responsibilities

• Performs quasi-judicial work conducting hearings and rendering decisions involving single party or other less complex unemployment insurance appeals.
• Explains hearing procedures and answers appellants questions.
• Reviews determinations, reports and records prior to hearing.
• Elicits pertinent sworn testimony from interested parties.
• Rules on admissibility of evidence, exhibits and documents.
• Facilitates hearing by maintaining order and adherence to proper procedure.
• Writes decisions on cases drawing upon facts in hearing record and pertinent laws.
• Researches, interprets and applies statutory laws, regulations and decisional law to evidence presented.
• Rules upon and answers in writing requests for reconsideration or modification of decisions or reopening of cases.
• Reviews cases appealed to Board of Review to ensure no further proceedings at Referee level are necessary.
• Responds to general and technical inquiries regarding appellate procedure and Connecticut unemployment insurance law.
• May be assigned to perform work for Employment Security Board of Review including conducting legal research, rendering advice and drafting decisions.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• As a current agency employee you will receive the same excellent benefits you are accustom to.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level