Appeals Referee

Are you an ambitious and detail-oriented professional who is looking for a challenging, yet rewarding career in the fascinating world of labor laws?  The Department of Labor & Industry is excited to welcome an Appeals Referee to our dedicated team!  The primary focus of this position is to hear and decide first level appeals and serve as a hearing officer for second level appeals as necessary.  Take pride in the valuable work you do and apply today to embark upon a fantastic career path!

As an Appeals Referee, you will be responsible for scheduling and conducting hearings and drafting and issuing decisions on appeals cases in a timely and impartial manner.  This includes presiding over hearings and following rules of evidence, due process standards, and standard administrative practice to move the proceedings to conclusion.  Such actions involve administering oaths; assisting parties without representation in developing the record; informing parties to appeals about policies, procedures, and rights; analyzing and evaluating testimony and other evidence; resolving conflicting testimony; assessing witness credibility; ruling on requests for subpoena issuance; and, scheduling and conducting pre-hearing conferences when appropriate.  In addition, this professional trains, advises, and oversees activities by subordinate staff facilitating appeals processing within the office, as well as resolves complaints and grievances.  You will also supervise clerical support staff, prepare performance reviews for such employees, and approve or disapprove leave requests.

Interested in learning more?  Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.  Work hours are negotiable. 
• Travel is required. 
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. 
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email.  Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Graduation from an approved school of law and certification of admission to the bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and one year of experience in the practice of labor law; or
• Four years of experience in the determination of unemployment compensation claims, including adjustments, overpayments, and appeals supplemented by 6 college level credits in English composition or other related English courses; or
• Four years of professional experience which involves the application of taxing or benefit-paying provisions of the Unemployment Compensation Law in order to determine compliance, to improve Unemployment Compensation program operations, or to train others in the application of the law supplemented by 6 college level credits in English composition or other related English courses; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 6 college level credits in English composition or other related English courses.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement.  For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply: 

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.  Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• This posting requires submission of a copy of your college transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.  You may upload your document as an attachment during the application process.  You must still complete the application and answer the supplemental questions.  All documents MUST be uploaded prior to the submission of your application. 
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date.  Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. 

Veterans: 

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. 
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Salary : $75,678 - $114,915