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State of Maryland

Chief Hearing Examiner (Program Manager Senior I)

JOB_REQUIREMENTS

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Introduction

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.

GRADE

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Department of Labor

100 South Charles Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

REMOTE

Main Purpose of Job

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.

POSITION DUTIES

Duties of this position include but are not limited to:

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

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.

AND

Experience:

5 years of experience involving civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information only.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

All candidates are subject to a background check against files maintained by the Division of Unemployment Insurance (Labor/DUI) to determine whether any monies are owed to Labor/DUI as a result of unemployment insurance overpayment/fraud. Any unpaid debt may have an impact on whether or not a candidate is offered employment.

SELECTION PROCESS

All information concerning the qualifications, including any required documentation (diploma, transcript, certificate, etc.) must be submitted and received by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be considered. Applications that meet minimum and/or selective qualifications will be referred to the hiring unit for interview selection. Units will select those candidates most closely demonstrating the qualifications for the interview.

A resume and supplemental questionnaire are strongly encouraged for this position. Please upload one Word or PDF file that includes your combined cover letter and resume using the “Transcript” upload function, or via the JobAps “Other” tab.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Specific educational and experience requirements are set by the agency based on the essential job functions assigned to the position.

BENEFITS

This is a full-time, permanent position and eligible for full State Benefits, which include:

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

To learn more, please click this link: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Please contact Tiffany.Lott-Mallard1@maryland.gov for additional information concerning this recruitment. Online applications are strongly referred. A resume and supplemental questionnaire are strongly encouraged for this position. Please upload on Word or PDF file that includes your combined cover letter and resume using the "Transcript" upload function, or via the JobAps "Other" Tab.

U.S. Military Veterans may qualify for additional bonus points towards certification. Any job offer will be contingent on the candidates providing a U.S. Military form DD 214verifying honorable discharge from service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview.) Permanent State employee do not need to submit proof of Veterans' status.

If you are unable to apply online, or encounter difficulty attaching required or optional documentation, you may submit via mail or deliver in person. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.

PLEASE DO NOT FAX OR EMAIL UNSOLICITED DOCUMENTATION.

Completed applications, required documentation, and any required addendums may be mailed to:

Maryland Department of Labor

ATTN: Tiffany Lott-Mallard (25-005482-0028)

100 S. Charles Street Tower 1, Suite 5000

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

The MD State Application Form can be found online

Maryland Department of Labor, is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of DOL that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.

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