Hearings Examiner

Department of Labor

Job Class Code: 0053
Grade: 26/Professional & Technical
Salary: $56,264.00-$78,998.40/Annually
Location: Augusta/Hybrid Remote

Opening Date: November 3, 2025

Closing Date:  November 20, :01am

We have a current opening to work in a critical role in our Agency where you'll help settle appeals of decisions made by the Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation. As a hearing officer, you'll hold telephonic hearings following the rules of the Administrative Procedures Act. Your job will include reviewing files to understand the reasons behind agency decisions, guiding the hearing process, making decisions on evidence, and ensuring everyone follows the proper policies and procedures. You'll work independently, but you'll also have a supportive team to back you up.

Primary responsibilities include:  

• Determines time, date, and place of hearing in order to schedule and provide a forum in which decision can be rendered.
• Assesses and evaluates all testimony and documents presented at the hearing in order to determine final decision on issue or validity of claim.
• Explains prescribed procedures, duties of the hearing officer, purpose of the hearing, and rights of the claimant in order to ensure all parties know their rights and will be able to participate in the hearing.
• Discusses and questions all parties testifying during the hearing in order to identify issue and clarify testimony presented.
• Determines legality and direction of testimony and cross examination in order to arbitrate and control hearing process.
• Writes formal report defining issue and listing relevant facts and documents presented as testimony in order to advise all parties of final decision and instruct agency personnel on appropriate action to take.
• Advises program managers when policies are not being applied or correctly interpreted in order to correct problems which result in appeals.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of Federal and State laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing unemployment compensation.
• Knowledge of guidelines and provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act.
• Knowledge of human behavior and effects of stress.
• Ability to analyze facts, issues, and testimony, reach logical conclusions, and make sound decisions.
• Ability to communicate and deal effectively with a variety of people in stressful situations.
• Ability to conduct hearings in a fair and impartial manner.
• Ability to prepare written decisions.
• Ability to work independently.

Minimum qualifications:

An eight (8) year combination of training, experience, and/or education providing a working knowledge of the adjudication process relating to hearings.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

Preference may be given to applicants who hold degrees from American Bar Association accredited law schools.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Christopher Gagne,

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, $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 14.11% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.91% 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.

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