Hearings Officer (Austin)

WHO WE ARE:
Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. This position is located at 101 E 15th St, Austin, TX in the Special Program Appeals Department.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

WHO YOU ARE:
You have great organizational skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple priorities while meeting strict deadlines. 

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The Hearings Officer V will work in the Agency's Special Program Appeals Department, which adjudicates administrative appeals in various state and federal programs. Work involves conducting hearings and preparing decisions for the appeals process in a variety of agency programs, including but not limited to Payday Law (wage claims), tax liability (Rule 13 hearings), child labor, child care, career schools and colleges, unemployment insurance (UI), and internal grievances. Performs advanced and/or supervisory (senior-level) legal and technical work. May supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO:
- Prepare and review records for hearings.
- Respond to public and agency inquiries.
- Refer issues to appropriate departments.
- Prepare for hearings by researching laws, regulations, policies, and legal precedents.
- Conduct hearings and makes decisions in accordance with established agency policy, rules, and applicable laws.
- Question witnesses and rule on admissibility of evidence.
- Prepare written decisions based upon evidence in the record.
- Type decisions using personal computer and specialized software.
- Ensure decisions are prepared for mailing in an accurate and timely manner.
- Provide guidance to others and prepare/conduct training.
- Maintain current knowledge of applicable statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
- Submit timely reports as required.
- May coordinate, direct, and monitor the activities of subordinate hearing officers and support staff.
- May complete performance reviews for assigned hearing officers.
- May attend Commission docket meetings and present proposals to the TWC Commissioners.
- Assist in training new hearing officers, including the review and proofing of their decisions.
- Perform other duties as assigned. 

YOU QUALIFY WITH:
-Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association plus four years of full-time experience in the practice of law; or four years of full-time experience involving legal work as a primary duty; or four years of full-time experience involving the legal aspects of administration in the fields of industrial or labor relations. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.
-Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association will still be required if substituting experience for education.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH:
- Admission to the State Bar of Texas.
- Experience with RPI and/ or Special Projects. 
- Experience conducting peer reviews.
- Experience conducting Hearings Officer Training.
- Experience as Team Lead.
- Experience conducting administrative hearings.
- Experience conducting Payday Law hearings.
- Experience conducting Tax liability hearings.
- Experience preparing written decisions using Microsoft Word and other computer programs.
- Broad knowledge and experience with agency programs.
- Ability to report to the State Office in Austin, Texas, on a regular basis, if needed.

 YOU GAIN:
- A Family Friendly Certified Workplace.  
- Competitive salary: $6,850-$7261/month 
- Defined Retirement Benefit Plan 
- Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts 
- Medical Insurance 
- Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave 
- Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.  

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

HOW TO APPLY: 
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.