Discover a thrilling opportunity in an exciting career path as you step into the role of Human Services Hearings Officer with the Department of Human Services. In this position, you help guide fair and objective appeal decisions that impact individuals and families across the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals' Central Region. Your work promotes clarity, consistency, and trust in the appeals process. Join a team where your dedication supports both justice and community well-being.
This position leads the hearing and adjudication process for a wide range of public assistance and provider appeals. The role ensures fair evaluations, accurate decisions, and compliance with laws and regulations. As a Human Services Hearings Officer, you will perform the following duties:
- Hearing Management: Conduct administrative hearings, guide participants, rule on motions, and maintain orderly proceedings
- Appeal Review: Examine appeals for jurisdiction, timeliness, and compliance before scheduling hearings
- Case Adjudication: Prepare legally sound decisions based on testimony, evidence, and applicable laws
- Legal Preparation: Issue subpoenas, interpret regulations, and determine admissibility of evidence
- Evidence Analysis: Evaluate testimony and documents to establish findings of fact and credibility
- Administrative Coordination: Maintain case tracking systems, prepare reports, and participate in required meetings
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
- Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
- Overtime: As needed
- This position will require occasional travel to conduct recipient hearings.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time upon successful completion of your probationary or training period, based on individual eligibility, and the operational needs of the bureau. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: The starting salary is non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- One year of experience as an Income Maintenance Casework Supervisor (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
- Three years of professional interviewing, investigative, or legal work experience which includes one year of experience conducting formal reviews of determinations subject to an appeal or adjudication process; and a bachelor's degree; or
- Graduation from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.