Chief Unemployment Insurance Appeals Referee (#MAFZ02)
$61,258.00 Yearly Min / $76,573.00 Yearly Mid / $91,888.00 Yearly Max

A class incumbent is responsible for administering the state's first level of the Unemployment Insurance Appeals process to ensure fair and consistent hearings in accordance with applicable law.

• Manage 4 - 5 employees.
• Unit hears 300 cases monthly.

A class incumbent performs with direction from an administrative superior and is involved in planning, directing and coordinating all activities associated with the appeals process. Other positions reporting in at this level include the Unemployment Insurance Administrators who each manage a major section of the Division, an Internal Security Specialty and a Management Analyst. The incumbent has contact with local UI Offices to reconcile data and obtain necessary information on a case; it also has contact with attorneys, claimants, union representatives and employers in the hearing and deciding of a case. Conducting hearings of the most complex cases and supervising the appeals operations to ensure that time lapse requirements are met are significant aspects of this position.  An employee in this class oversees the rendering of decisions that enable the Division to award unemployment compensation benefits in a consistent and equitable manner.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Plans, assigns, reviews and evaluates the work of a staff of subordinate referees as well as that of the clerical staff; schedules cases for hearings, monitor appeals operations on a daily basis.
   
• Communicates and interprets applicable laws, rules and regulations to subordinate referees; provides referee training.
   
• Reviews hearing decisions of subordinate referees to ensure compliance and correct application of federal and State Unemployment Insurance laws, rules and regulations.
   
• Conducts the most complex Unemployment Insurance appeals cases in accordance with applicable law; administers oaths and affirmations; issues subpoenas; hears testimony; receives and reviews evidence and rules on its admissibility; regulates and controls the hearing; makes tape recordings of hearings; researches and reviews applicable federal and State laws and precedent cases; renders written case decisions.
   
• Compiles and/or oversees preparation of statistical reports as required.
   
• Maintains precedent manual for use by other referees in analyzing cases.
   
• Periodically reviews all phases of unit operations practices to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
   
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from the general public; coordinates decisions with other sections to resolve problems.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of Unemployment Insurance laws and administrative law procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of obtaining testimony to preserve the legal rights of all parties.
• Knowledge of the laws concerning admissibility of evidence.
• Knowledge of legal report preparation.
• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Skill in conciliating Unemployment Insurance disputes.
• Skill in eliciting information.
• Skill in performing investigations and legal research.
• Skill in planning and organization.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules and regulations.
• Ability to conduct quasi-judicial hearings.
• Ability to compile and interpret statistical data.
• Ability to render clear and logical decisions based on testimony given, evidence presented and applicable laws and precedents set.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, representatives of private industry and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Chief Unemployment Insurance Appeals Referee
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Juris Doctor.
2. Three years experience in quasi judicial proceedings.
3. Three years experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
4. Six months experience in legal research which includes researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
5. Six months experience in drafting legal documents and writing legal briefs which includes presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
6. Knowledge of staff supervision acquired through course work, academic training, training provided through an employer, or performing as a lead worker overseeing the work of others; OR supervising staff which may include planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of others; OR supervising through subordinate supervisors a group of professional, technical, and clerical employees.