Hearing Officer- Contract

About the Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General (Treasury)

Our mission is to manage and safeguard the State's public deposits and investments through sound business practices for the exclusive benefits of our citizens, and perform these duties with integrity, excellence, and leadership. Additionally, we strive to provide economic opportunity, stability, and security for every Massachusetts resident.

We are committed to excellence in recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse and qualified individuals. We value the culture of diversity and professionalism in the workplace, and strongly believe that our workforce should reflect our community.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FM68GFV

Contract Employee Position within Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Department of State Treasurer

Administrative Hearing Officer

The Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General (Treasury) includes a variety of departments and quasi-independent agencies who will seek recommendation prior to taking administrative action or whose administrative actions are appealable to a hearing officer. The departments and quasi-independent agencies include but are not limited to the Massachusetts State Retirement Board (MSRB). The administrative hearing officer will be responsible for all aspects of the hearing process, from pre-hearing stage through presenting recommendations to the pertinent Treasury department or quasi-independent agency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct fact-finding and other adjudicatory hearings referred or assigned by the Treasury department or related agency as requested, pursuant to formal or informal rules of adjudicatory procedure provided for by M.G.L. c. 30A.
• Manage conduct of any pre-hearing activities, including issuing pre-hearing orders, scheduling promptly discovery, pre-hearing, or other procedural motions, and resolving timely such motions.
• Review parties' submissions in advance of and be prepared to conduct adjudicatory hearings in a professional and courteous manner, including addressing relevant evidentiary and legal issues.
• Prepare timely written decisions containing factual findings, legal conclusions, and recommendations and present the decisions orally to the Treasury department or quasi-independent agency's governing body in a succinct and cogent manner.
• Remain current on applicable law governing hearing topics.
• Maintain accurate accounting and record of time devoted to job functions and provide case status reports regularly to Treasury General Counsel and other senior staff, as requested.
• Maintain accurate and orderly case files for both open and closed matters; as necessary cooperate with Treasury legal staff when assisting to assemble an administrative record
• Perform additional duties as requested.

Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• At least ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law and a member in good standing of Massachusetts Bar.
• Compliance with M.G.L. chapter 268A (Conduct of Public Officials) and regulations applicable to state employees.
• Experience conducting administrative hearings pursuant to the pertinent sections of M.G.L. chapter 30A (State Admin. Procedure), including both the Formal and Informal Rules of Adjudicatory Procedure, is preferred.
• Working knowledge of M.G.L. chapter 32 (Retirement Systems and Pensions) and associated regulations; familiarity with M.G.L chapters 66 (Public Records) and 30A, •• 18-25 (Open Meetings) and associated regulations.
• Adept with Microsoft Office suite of products, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and on-line research databases, including Westlaw.
• Ability to work independently, under deadlines, and with limited administrative support.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly, succinctly, and thoroughly convey - orally and in writing - complex factual and legal issues.
• Ability to prepare written orders and decisions in a cogent manner.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills; self-directed and self-motivated.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• A substantive legal brief or memorandum of law prepared independently; and
• References from at two (2) sources, including at least one (1) past employer.