Hearing Officer

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

About The Position

Hearing Officers shall advise the Industrial Accident Board concerning workers’ compensation matters and prepare the Board’s decisions on such matters. Hearing officers shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor. Appointees shall be residents of the State, shall be duly admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of this State and shall not engage in the practice of law nor any business, occupation or employment inconsistent with the expeditious, proper and impartial performance of their duties. This position’s main location is Fox Valley in Wilmington, but will be required to occasionally travel to Dover, DE. Selective Requirement Selective Requirements must be met in addition to the job requirements. Applicants who do not possess the selective requirement will not be qualified. Per 2301B(b) Hearing Officers of the Workers' Compensation Act: Must be a Barred attorney in the State of Delaware. Must be a resident of Delaware. Essential Functions Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here. Conducts in-depth, comprehensive research. Reports findings to superior/agency staff including precedents and applicable state and federal laws/rules/regulations/contracts. Drafts recommended decisions based on findings of fact and applicable laws, rules and regulations. Researches other regulatory matters. Provides written recommendations. Presides over hearings, negotiations, and other administrative proceedings. Advises other hearing officers/examiners before, during, and subsequent to hearings, negotiations, etc. May direct the post-hearing phase including review of legal briefs submitted by various involved parties. Researches and drafts new and revised contracts/regulations/legislation. Leads and engages in mediation/arbitration of regulatory violations, contract enforcement and/or administrative rules and policies.

Requirements

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
One years’ experience working as a hearing officer or judge for an administrative agency or judicial clerkship, or as an arbitrator.
Six months experience in quasi-judicial proceedings.
Six months experience in drafting legal documents which include which includes presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal precedents.
Experience in analytical and legal writing.
Member of the Delaware Bar.

Nice To Haves

Prior workers’ compensation experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Conducts in-depth, comprehensive research.
Reports findings to superior/agency staff including precedents and applicable state and federal laws/rules/regulations/contracts.
Drafts recommended decisions based on findings of fact and applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Researches other regulatory matters.
Provides written recommendations.
Presides over hearings, negotiations, and other administrative proceedings.
Advises other hearing officers/examiners before, during, and subsequent to hearings, negotiations, etc.
May direct the post-hearing phase including review of legal briefs submitted by various involved parties.
Researches and drafts new and revised contracts/regulations/legislation.
Leads and engages in mediation/arbitration of regulatory violations, contract enforcement and/or administrative rules and policies.