Description:
Purpose of The JobA Massachusetts State Agency seeks to contract a part-time Hearing Officer. In consultation with the General Counsel, the Hearing Officer will implement, manage, and conduct administrative hearings arising from licensing and enforcement actions.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Represent the Commission as the Hearing Officer responsible for its administrative hearings process.
- Manage all process phases; maintain case files, establish procedural schedules, conduct administrative hearings, and close case files.
- Review complaints and other pleadings.
- Conduct independent and thorough research and decide on substantive and procedural legal issues.
- Develop administrative records.
- Make oral rulings, including motions.
- Draft recommended orders, memoranda, and decisions for Commission consideration.
- Work with staff to close case files, including compiling administrative records for judicial review.
- Make recommendations of the agency's administrative hearings process.
- Develop and maintain knowledge of the Commission's statutes, regulations and policies, and other applicable areas of administrative law.
Education and Experience:
- Juris Doctor from an accredited law program.
- Member of the Massachusetts Bar in good standing.
- Minimum four-year legal or administrative hearings experience in the public sector, private practice, or nonprofit or corporate legal departments. .
- Experience or expertise in administrative law, especially as it pertains to licensing and enforcement actions.
- Experience or familiarity with laws governing adult- or medical – use of marijuana or an interest in developing expertise in this emerging area of the law.
Qualifications:
Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of state laws pertaining to the conduct of administrative hearings officers, including G.L. c. 30A, 801 CMR, and state ethics laws.
- Experience and expertise in conducting and adjudicating administrative hearings or judicial trials.
- Experience and familiarity with state agencies, including commissions.
- Ability to possess and exercise good judgment in addressing problems and making decisions.
- Ability to act in a fair, impartial and unbiased manner.
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling of confidential and sensitive information.
- Experience or expertise in case management.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to draft clear and concise legal decisions.
- Outstanding organizational skills, which includes the ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects under time constraints and with available resources.
- Ability to maintain complete and accurate records.
- Ability to work independently and productively in an evolving environment.
- Must demonstrate a proficiency with computers and the MS Office Suite.
- Maintain the highest standards of personal, professional and ethical conduct and support the Commission's goals for diversity and cultural awareness.
