Chief Administrative Hearings Officer - DHHS

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Service Manager II

Opening Date: July 15, 2024    

Closing Date: July 26, 2024

Job Class Code: MA32
Grade:  32 (Confidential) 
Salary: $77,896.00 - $110,073.60 per year

Position Number: 02000-0421

Location: This is a full-time position located in Augusta, Maine and allows for partial telework with management approval.

Core Responsibilities:

As Chief Administrative Hearings Officer you will:
•    In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, provide legal supervision of the Office of Administrative Hearings, including reviewing and evaluating hearing decisions, to ensure that decisions are legally correct, uniform, and in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedures Act, Department program rules, Office of Administrative Hearings rules, and applicable law.
•    Be responsible for the general oversight and operations of the Office of Administrative Hearings with specific responsibility for the supervision of hearing officers and administrative support staff.
•    Manage the budget and staffing requirements of the Office of Administrative Hearings to ensure that hearings are scheduled, held, and decided in a timely manner.
•    Plan and implement training of staff in order to ensure that staff maintain job proficiency, including advising and updating Hearing Officers on procedural and substantive legal questions.
•    As necessary, conduct administrative hearings and write decisions.
•    Develop and recommend new and revised statutes, rules, and procedures necessary to maintain legal requirements and efficient operations. 
•    Perform other senior leadership duties as delegated by the Commissioner or General Counsel

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, you must have a twelve (12) year combination of training, experience, and/or education providing a working knowledge of the adjudication process relating to hearings. Additionally, you must possess a law degree and license, or ability to obtain a license, to practice law in the State of Maine. 

The background of well-qualified candidates will include the following:

1.    Prior experience in administrative hearings and/or litigation.  
2.    Strong writing skills and command of the law
3.    Ability to effectively lead and support a team of hearing officers and support staff

Thinking about applying?

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Agency information: 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The Office of Administrative Hearings provides administrative appeal hearings, along with written decisions to citizens and clients who are aggrieved by decisions, actions, or inactions of the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Application Information:

 Please submit all documents or files in  PDF format.

For additional information about this position please contact Emily Atkins Cathcart, General Counsel, at (207) 557-2796 or by e-mail at Emily.A.Cathcart@maine.gov.  To apply, please upload a current resume, writing sample, and cover letter addressing the three competency areas identified in the Requirements Section. To request a paper application, please contact Ashley Smith at Ashley.Smith@maine.gov.         

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 lea