HEARING OFFICER 2 DEFINITION:
Under direction of an administrator, coordinator, or other supervisory official in a state department or agency, conducts complex disciplinary appeal hearings; supervises and coordinates the work programs and staff of that office within the organization which deals with hearings and appeals; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Assists the administrator in managing and directing the employee relations or hearing programs.
Presides at hearings on the more complex, significant appeals, and precedent setting hearings.
Supervises hearing officers in gathering pretrial facts and information, in writing final reports and decisions, and in doing follow-up work on cases appealed to the Office of Administrative Law.
Represents the department or appointing authority at Administrative Law hearings and in conferences and meetings with judges, deputy attorneys general, attorneys for appellants, union representatives, and other interested parties.
Interprets state laws and regulations, and recommends changes in department or agency policies and regulations affecting the administration of discipline and the conduct of appeal hearings.
Writes and reviews hearing decisions of subordinates, and ensures that findings and conclusions are clear, accurate, and logical.
Uses the computerized court information system to ensure consistent and uniform hearing decisions and disciplinary sanctions.
Assists the administrator in developing plans for achieving personnel management goals through direct supervision and control of labor-management relations in the department or agency.
Represents the Commissioner of the department or top official of the agency in the Early Settlement Program by conferring with Administrative Law judges and attorneys for appellants to settle appeals prior to formal hearings.
Review and monitor hearing decisions of all assigned staff for legal sufficiency and adherence to agency policy and procedures; and determine that performance standards are being met.
Keep up-to-date on amendments in statutes, regulations and decisional law; and communicate such changes to staff.
Supervises work operations and functional programs, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
Assigns, instructs, and supervises staff of the office.
Prepares clear, sound, and accurate reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Reviews and supervises the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Eight (8) years of professional experience in the field of employee relations, two (2) years of which shall have included disciplinary appeals.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years of which shall have included disciplinary appeals.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of New Jersey laws, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to employer-employee relations and due process after a period of training.
Knowledge of Title IV of the New Jersey Administrative Code and its applicability to hearings on employee appeals.
Knowledge of Administrative Law court procedures pertaining to employee appeal hearings.
Knowledge of regulations, policies, and procedures of the Civil Service Commission after a period of training.
Ability to assist attorneys, supervisors, union representatives, and employees in informal and early settlements of disputes, appeals, and grievances.
Ability to conduct hearings of complex employee relations cases involving adversarial parties and issues.
Ability to write comprehensive, concise, and logical opinions, decisions, reports, and recommendations.
Ability to analyze case facts and circumstances, to evaluate their importance in relation to state laws, regulations, and policies, and to render clear, concise, and logical conclusions.
Ability to supervise the work of employees engaged in the conduct of hearings and the writing of decisions in employee relations cases.
Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records and files.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
