Employment Security Principal Appeals Referee

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this in an ever-changing environment, we assist workers and employers to become competitive in the global economy. We take a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of workers and employers, and the other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.

DOL's Appeals Division is comprised of the Referee Section and the Board of Review. The Employment Security Appeals Division is an autonomous, quasi-judicial agency housed in the Department of Labor. Its primary function is to hear and decide appeals arising from decisions made by Connecticut's Unemployment Compensation Department, from which it is statutorily independent, and other assigned matters within the jurisdiction of the department.

The Appeals Division has a current opportunity for an Employment Security Principal Appeals Referee with the Middletown Appeals Office located in Middletown, CT.

In the Department of Labor, this class is accountable for supervising a regional division office and performing quasi-judicial work conducting hearings and rendering decisions for the most complex unemployment insurance appeals or other assigned matters within the jurisdiction of the department.

Directs staff and operations; plans, coordinates and manages a comprehensive system for hearing appeals and issuing decisions; formulates goals and objectives for regional office and clearly articulates to staff agency mission, goals and standards; provides assistance and guidance to Associate Referees and Referees in more complex cases; plans, develops and administers regional office budget subject to approval of Board of Review; provides input into development of policy; monitors regional office performance in relation to division mission, goals and standards; assesses need for staff development; provides staff training and assistance utilizing individual development plans; reviews decisions and other work of staff for compliance with federal and state standards and legal requirements; assists in development and implementation of performance standards; evaluates staff; adjudicates complex cases involving unemployment insurance and other matters within departmental jurisdiction; responds to general and technical inquiries regarding appellate procedures and Connecticut Unemployment Insurance law; participates in initiation, development and implementation of appeals programs and services designed to resolve problems and better serve needs of customers; may design and implement division wide projects to improve efficiency or quality of operation; may represent division at policy meetings and other forums; may provide consultation to agency executives and administrators regarding division programs and operations; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of relevant state laws, rules and regulations; considerable knowledge of Connecticut Employment Security Division appeals process, procedures and operations; considerable knowledge of quasi-judicial procedures and rules of evidence; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to comprehend, interpret and apply laws, regulations and legal decisions; considerable ability to reach sound decisions based on findings of fact, evidence and applicable laws, regulations and rulings; ability to work independently or as a team leader; ability to utilize technology to review case history, research relevant law and draft decisions; ability to maintain judicial demeanor; ability to handle stressful situations; supervisory ability.

Two (2) years of experience at the level of Employment Security Associate Appeals Referee.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.