STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Employment Security Appeals Referee

Recruitment #210210-3312SH-001

Introduction


Are you ready to gain skills, knowledge, and experience that will help you develop and have an exciting and successful career? Would you like to make a difference and serve our citizens? If so, we have an outstanding opportunity for you!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) has current opportunities for Durational Employment Security Appeals Referees with the Middletown Appeals Office located in Middletown, CT. This position will receive on-the-job training in quasi-judicial work conducting hearings and rendering decisions. Applicants will be placed in vacancies under durational appointment with anticipated end dates of 6/30/2022.  Benefits and leaves will be subject to the appropriate collective bargaining contract language and Connecticut General Statutes.

Job Highlights

  • Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday-Friday
  • 1st shift
This position will be primarily telework, with some in-office work and the telework rules are subject to change. Selected candidates will be provided a laptop and necessary equipment. Selected candidates must have a secure, private and quiet workspace at home, with internet service, to be considered for this primarily teleworking position. You will not be compensated for the use of your home internet or other materials you may use while teleworking.

Who We Are:

We, at DOL, are committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this 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 other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.

The 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.

Watch and learn how you can make an impact serving your state!

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

Please ensure that your application is complete, you will not be able to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, the DAS is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jennifer Neumann at Jennifer.Neumann@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Labor, Employment Security Appeals Division this class receives on-the-job training in quasi-judicial work conducting hearings and rendering decisions on unemployment insurance appeals and other assigned matters within the jurisdiction of the department.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs quasi-judicial work conducting hearings and rendering decisions involving single party or other less complex unemployment insurance appeals; explains hearing procedures and answers appellants questions; reviews determinations, reports and records prior to hearing; elicits pertinent sworn testimony from interested parties; rules on admissibility of evidence, exhibits and documents; facilitates hearing by maintaining order and adherence to proper procedure; writes decisions on cases drawing upon facts in hearing record and pertinent laws; researches, interprets and applies statutory laws, regulations and decisional law to evidence presented; rules upon and answers in writing requests for reconsideration or modification of decisions or reopening of cases; reviews cases appealed to Board of Review to ensure no further proceedings at Referee level are necessary; responds to general and technical inquiries regarding appellate procedure and Connecticut unemployment insurance law; may be assigned to perform work for Employment Security Board of Review including conducting legal research, rendering advice and drafting decisions; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of relevant state laws, rules and regulations; some knowledge of Connecticut Employment Security Division appeals process, procedures and operations; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; organizational skills; ability to research, comprehend, interpret and apply laws, regulations and legal decisions; ability to reach sound decisions based on findings of facts, evidence and applicable laws, regulations and rulings; ability to work independently; ability to utilize available technology to review case histories, research relevant laws and Board precedents and draft decisions; ability to maintain judicial demeanor; ability to handle stressful situations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of experience performing technical work in Unemployment Insurance, Job Service or Employment and Training programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been conducting hearings and rendering decisions on unemployment insurance.

Note: For state employees this is interpreted at the level of a Labor Department Adjudications Specialist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling six (6) months of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
2. A Master’s degree in public administration, law or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. A law degree (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will have:

  • Experience constructing and evaluating legal arguments.
  • Experience with time management, including organization, and follow-through, while balancing and prioritizing multiple activities and responsibilities.
  • Legal writing experience.
  • The ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
  • The ability to conduct hearings in an impartial manner.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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

Conclusion

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.