Job Summary

The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is seeking applicants to provide supervision to Administrative Law judges and to serve as an Administrative Law Judge.

OAH is Minnesota’s centralized administrative court. Created by the legislature within the executive branch, OAH provides fair and impartial trial-level hearings involving challenges to government action and workers’ compensation benefits.

Judges in our Administrative Law Division hear contested case appeals of state and local government action ranging from professional and business licenses, utility rates, data privacy, environmental permits, special education, to campaign practice complaints and more. Judges also review regulatory rules proposed by state agencies and determine the boundaries of cities and towns throughout Minnesota in annexation, detachments, consolidation and related planning proceedings.

Decisions consist of written findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations or final orders. When decisions are final, they may be appealable to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Core Responsibilities:

• Perform all supervisory functions related to admnistrative law judges.
• Work cooperatively with OAH leadership to continuously improve and maintain efficiency and quality across court operations.
• Serve as an administrative law judge presiding over hearings, reviewing administrative rules and conducting proceedings required by the Minnesota Administrative Procedure Act and other applicable statutes.
• Prepare proposed decisions for agency heads or governing bodies or, in some cases, issue final decisions and orders. Decisions consist of written findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations or final orders.
• Develop records to substantiate final decisions by ensuring that proceedings are properly recorded, administering oaths and affirmations, issuing subpoenas and receiving all relevant and competent evidence.
• Maintain license to practice law in the State of Minnesota.

Minimum Qualifications

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSTING: Applicants MUST submit via email to Jill.S.Melzarek@state.mn.us, fax at 651-539-0306 or mail to Jill Melzarek, Human Resources Director, Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 64620, Saint Paul, MN 55164-0620 a legal writing sample of no more than eight (8) pages in length. All documents required MUSTbe received no later than the close of this posting.

LICENSURE:

• Current licensure in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota.
• Must have a Juris Doctorate (J.D.).

EXPERIENCE:

• At least five (5) years of full-time experience as a judge, mediator or attorney with:at least three (3) years of that experience devoted to administrative law.

ABILITY TO:

• Supervise, plan, motivate and provide leadership to judges within the work unit.
• Work collaboratively across diverse teams.
• Act in accordance with the Code of Judicial Conduct and applicable statutory codes of ethics.
• Reseach, understand, interpret, apply and explain relevant law in complex legal and factual settings.
• Conduct fair and impartial hearings in complex, adversarial cases in accordance with governing laws and rules.
• Resolve issues of law and fact based upon the application of sound, supported legal reasoning to facts based upon evidence in the hearing record.
• Engage in clear, respectful oral communication.
• Prepare clear, conside and easily understandable written decisions and orders.
• Establish and maintain effective and respectful relationships with diverse people, including OAH employees, members of the judiciary and legal professions, employees, employers, insurers, medical providers and third-party administrators.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of supervisory experience. Supervisory experience should cover multiple areas such as: selecting, orienting and training employees; coaching, counseling and performance managing employees; planning, monitoring and appraising job results.
• Arbitration or mediation training and certification.

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of the Office of Administrative Hearings that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past state employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Court Records Check

Click “Apply” at the bottom of the page of the following link, https://careers.mn.gov/psp/hcm92apc/MNCAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1001&JobOpeningId=36633&PostingSeq=1&languageCd=ENG. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637.

For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.