Department of Labor - Bureau of Unemployment Compensation/Division of Administrative Hearings 

Job Class Code: MA 28
Grade:MA28 - Confidential
Salary: $66,206 - $94,057
Location: Augusta

Opening Date: March 7, 2025

Closing Date:  March 23, 2025

This position provides complex legal support to the Administrative Appeals Division Director, and a staff of Hearings Examiners. The position oversees administrative work involving the adjudication of appeals. The Senior Hearings Examiner also conducts appeal hearings. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining automated case management systems, conducting administrative hearings, and assisting the Administrative Appeals Division Director with developing and implementing unit policies and procedures. Additionally, this position will assist the Administrative Appeals Division Director with the quarterly federal quality performance review. This position will also assume partial responsibility for training new Hearings Examiners. 

The position is differentiated from the Hearings Examiner class on the basis of policy development and decision-making responsibilities, and on the basis of the complex nature of the hearings conducted. Work is performed under limited administrative supervision.

Primary responsibilities include:  

• Researches, analyzes, and evaluates a variety of complex legal material to identify specific points of law to be addressed in the hearing process and to determine the appropriate hearing venue and length of time necessary for case scheduling.
• Researches, analyzes, and evaluates a variety of complex legal materials, statutes and or legal decisions to provide requested information, reports or make recommendations to the Administrative Appeals Division Director for possible legislative or regulatory change consideration.
• May interpret and explain laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to the general public, attorneys, employers, legal support staff, hearings examiners and other bureau and agency to provide information, clarification, and/or promote understanding.
• Follows up on and resolves constituent issues, problems, and requests for information both orally and in writing as directed by the Administrative Appeals Division Director.
• Helps track and analyze UI appeals data to project and address workload changes during fluctuating economic conditions, identify need for staff training & development, and identify trends or patterns that could indicate the need for procedural changes or assist senior management in evaluating the need for legislative or rule changes.
• Drafts orders and other legal documents for the Administrative Appeals Division Director. 
  Reviews administrative hearings examiners’ work performance to critique and evaluate their work performance and make recommendations to Administrative Appeals Division Director.
• Supervises, directs and provides legal and/or procedural guidance to administrative support staff.
• Responds to inquiries from attorneys and other interested parties on hearing procedures to provide information.
• Researches legal issues for pending cases and coordinates the creation and maintenance of in-house research files in order to develop a repository of information on legal issues.
• Provides agenda items for and may assist in facilitating the Division’s staff meetings.
• Assists Administrative Appeals Division Director in the education and training of Hearings Examiners.
• Conducts due process hearings and renders decisions.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of legal principles and practice.
• Knowledge of legal documents, court procedures, rules of evidence, and litigation practices.
• Knowledge of applicable state/federal statutes, case law, and regulations.
• Knowledge of legal research procedures, legal terminology, and processes.
• Knowledge of supervisory practices.
• Ability to conduct complex legal research and analyze legal problems.
• Ability to understand, explain and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and case law.
• Ability to track and analyze appeals data for use in planning and decision making.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing using Microsoft Office programs. 

Minimum qualifications:

An eight (8) year combination of training, experience, and/or education that would demonstrate knowledge of adjudicatory proceedings.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

• With a Juris Doctor degree and/or management or training experience 
• Ability to track and analyze appeals data for use in workload planning and decision making is desired.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Christopher Gagne at Christopher.Gagne@Maine.gov

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application.  In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period.  Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you require a paper application, please download and print one here https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700.  Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME  04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018.  Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included.  Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.  

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.09% for Confidential employees. 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.