LS-0930-15

Introduction

The mission of the Office of Employee Appeals (OEA) is to render impartial, legally sufficient, and timely decisions on appeals filed by District of Columbia government employees. OEA has jurisdiction over appeals in which an employee has been removed as a result of an adverse action for cause, placed on enforced leave for 10 days or more, suspended for 10 days or more, reduced in grade, or been subjected to a reduction in force and appeals in which an employee is contesting the agency’s action of designating that employee’s position as safety-sensitive.

OEA offers District government agencies and employees a three part-appeal process: mediation, adjudication, and petition for review. The mediation process allows the employee and the agency an opportunity to resolve their disputes without going through the lengthy and costly adjudication process. The adjudication process results in disputes being resolved by an administrative judge who issues an initial decision and finds in favor of either the agency or employee. The petition for review process provides an impartial review of initial decisions by OEA’s board.

Overview

The Office of Employee Appeals is seeking a highly qualified and experienced Hearing Examiner to conduct administrative hearings, make findings of fact, and issue written decisions on appeals filled by employees of the District of Columbia government. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in employment law and administrative law, as well as exceptional writing, communication, and analytical skills.

The position is in the Office of Employee Appeals (OEA), within the District of Columbia Government and the incumbent will report directly to the Agency’s Executive Director.

Major Duties

1. Preside over administrative proceedings, including status conferences, pre-hearing conferences, and evidentiary hearings.
2. Review evidence and conduct fair, impartial hearing on appeals filed by employees of the District of Columbia government.
3. Draft and issue written orders to clarify and narrow issues, to identify factual and legal issues, and to rule on continuances, motions, subpoenas, and sanctions.
4. Hear testimony, receive evidence, and make witness credibility determinations.
5. Make findings of fact and conclusions of law based on the evidence presented and applicable legal standards.
6. Draft written decisions that are clear, concise, and well-reasoned, and that comply with applicable statutes, regulations, rules, policies, and administrative procedures.
7. Maintain accurate and complete records to ensure compliance with record-keeping requirements.
8. Remain abreast of developments in employment law, administrative law, and other relevant areas of law, and attend relevant training and professional development opportunities.  

Qualifications

1. Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
2. Admission to the Bar of the District of Columbia, or eligibility for admission on motion within twelve months of hiring.
3. At least five years of experience practicing law, with a focus on employment law.
4. Experience conducting administrative hearings and drafting written decisions is highly desirable.
5. Knowledge of the D.C. Code, District of Columbia Personnel Regulations, and Merit System Principles, as well as other relevant federal law and regulations.
6. Exceptional communication and analytical skills, with the ability to conduct hearings and draft decisions that are clear, concise, and well-reasoned.
7. Ability to work independently and expeditiously and to manage a high-volume workload with competing priorities.
8. Ability to conduct legal research.
9. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parties, colleagues, and stakeholders.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this Hearing Examiner position is $151,503 (Grade 15, Step 1). The District of Columbia Government offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid vacation and sick leave, and other benefits.

Contact and Work Environment

Personal contacts are with the public, staff throughout the agency, members of the legal profession, and other District of Columbia government agencies. Work is performed in an office setting from Mon through Fri between 9 am to 5:30 pm at 955 L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington DC 20024.

How to Apply

Please complete the DC2000 application form, submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, writing sample, and contact information for three professional references to the Office of Employee Appeals via email at [email protected]. The subject line of the email should include “Hearing Examiner Application.”

Link to DC2000 application form DC 2000 Employment Application Form | oea