Will be filling up to 10 full time vacancies. 

The Compensation Attorney for the Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) will preside over and conduct unemployment insurance proceedings as an unemployment law judge for single and multi – parties under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 268. The compensation attorney will issue written findings of fact, reasons for decision, and conclusions of law and other orders or subpoenas as appropriate. This position requires reaching decisions quickly and writing clear and well-reasoned decisions supported by the law within five days of holding the hearing. The current caseload is 25 hearings per week. The compensation attorney needs strong communication skills to effectively control proceedings with single and multiple parties, including employers, employees, attorneys, and other witnesses, including the ability to clearly communicate complex legal concepts to unrepresented parties. The judge must also be highly skilled at questioning witnesses. The compensation attorney will also issue decisions on requests for reconsideration that are the department’s final decision and are directly appealable to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and other duties as assigned.

The compensation attorney will be trained on unemployment insurance law, the unemployment insurance computer application system, and will be provided judicial training. The compensation attorney will be expected to navigate the computer application system. The compensation attorney must be highly skilled in interpersonal relations and will be expected to conduct hearings in conformity with applicable law and that meet constitutional requirements, under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.105. The compensation attorney must also adhere to federal quality guidelines and Department expectations when conducting hearings. Substantive issues in hearings include eligibility for unemployment benefits under state and federal programs, the effect of benefits paid on employer taxes and reimbursing accounts, determination of the proper employer tax rate, eligibility for federal and state extensions and other programs, the effect of receipt of social security benefits, severance pay, workers’ compensation benefits, retirement benefits, and other payments, and various other issues.