Senior Hearings Officer

The new address of this position will be 1 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 in 2025.

About the Organization:

The Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), an agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), protects consumers by making sure the professionals they hire comply with state licensing laws. DOL oversees 26 boards of registration, which license and regulate more than 500,000 individuals and businesses to practice over 100 trades and professions. DOL also licenses and regulates the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI), and the Office of Private Occupational School Education (OS).

The mission of DOL is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by licensing qualified individuals and businesses to provide services to consumers. In addition, it is the duty of the DOL to ensure fair and consistent enforcement of the licensing laws and regulations. DOL seeks to promote consumer protection, a fair and competitive marketplace, and education and outreach.

The Division of Occupational Licensure is committed to creating and sustaining a work culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and mutually respectful to all its employees regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran or disability status. We strive to reflect diversity in all facets and levels of our agency. The Division of Occupational Licensure values inclusiveness and diversity within their employee and management teams. Within our community we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

The Division of Occupational Licensure is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to maximize their skills and talents to serve our citizens.

About the Role:

The Senior Hearings Officer (Counsel III) serves as the Agency’s subject matter expert on hearings for disciplinary cases for the boards of registration within the Division of Occupational Licensure and the Office of Public Safety and Inspections. The Senior Hearings Officer conducts adjudicatory and sanctions hearings as delegated by Division of Occupational Licensure boards of registration or Office of Public Safety and Inspections boards and programs. The Senior Hearings Officer drafts written decisions, manages assigned case load, and assembles the administrative record for all adjudicatory matters. The Senior Hearings Officer supervises Counsel II Hearings Officers and works with them to maintain efficiency in their dockets; reviews their draft opinions as necessary; creates best practices; supports training; and acts as a point of contact for management. Specific assignments may vary, based on the operational needs of the Agency. The Senior Hearings Officer may perform other legal and administrative tasks, as necessary or required, based on the operational needs of the Agency. 

Duties and Responsibilities: (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive)

• Serve as the Presiding Officer for administrative hearings pursuant to G.L. c. 30A and 801 CMR, in cases arising out of the DOL boards of registration or OPSI boards and programs.
• Act as supervisor for Counsel II Hearings Officers in the Office of Hearings, advise Hearings Officers on drafting and evidentiary rules, meet regularly with Hearings Officers, draft performance reviews, advise the Deputy General Counsel for Enforcement on the status of matters in the Office of Hearings. 
• Enter sc