HEARING OFFICER 1 DEFINITION:
Under direction of a Hearing Officer 2, or other supervisory official in a state department or agency, reviews grievances and appeals, conducts investigations and/or participates in disciplinary hearings; may assist in complex matters; 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:
Conducts grievance and disciplinary appeal hearings.
Review requests for hearings to determine probable issues and apply the appropriate regulations.
Investigates facts and circumstances surrounding employee grievances, and assembles information in preparation of hearings.
Interviews management, supervisors, personnel officers, and potential witnesses during pretrial investigations and while administering provisions of the Early Settlement Program.
May represent the department or appointing authority at Administrative Law hearings and in meetings with attorneys, judges, administrators, and union representatives. May assist supervisor or other higher level staff with complex cases.
May take the lead over other staff, as directed.
Interprets state laws and regulations, and recommends changes in department or appointing authority policies and procedures on discipline and appeal hearings.
Analyze data to discover facts in case. Research laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
Writes hearing decisions containing clear, accurate, and logical histories, findings, and conclusions.
Conducts follow up work on appeal cases of long duration ensuring that supervisors and administrators are apprised of current case developments and status changes.
Prepares clear, sound, and accurate reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Maintain essential records, reports, and files.
Will be required to learn 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.
Seven (7) years of professional experience in the field of employee relations; one (1) year of which shall have included disciplinary appeals.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience; one (1) year 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 review the work of employees engaged in the conduct of hearings and the writing of decisions in employee relations cases.
Ability to maintain 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.
