Hearings Examiner

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Department of Labor - Bureau of Unemployment Compensation, Division of Administrative Hearings
Job Class Code: 0053
Grade: 26 (Professional/Technical Bargaining Unit)
Salary: $56,264.00 -$78,998.40/Annually
Location: Augusta
Opening Date: September 11, 2026
Closing Date: October 1, 2026

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team in a critical role within the Department of Labor. As a Hearings Examiner, you’ll help ensure that individuals and employers have a fair opportunity to be heard when appealing decisions made by the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.

In this role, you’ll conduct telephonic hearings in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, review case files and evidence, ask questions to develop a complete record, and guide participants through the hearing process. You’ll evaluate testimony and evidence, make independent decisions, and ensure hearings are conducted fairly and consistently with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.

This position is a great fit for someone who enjoys analyzing information, asking thoughtful questions, solving complex problems, and making well-reasoned decisions. You’ll have considerable independence in managing your hearings and caseload while also being part of an experienced and supportive team that works together, shares knowledge, and is always available when you need guidance.

Primary responsibilities include:  

• Determines time, date, and place of hearing in order to schedule and provide a forum in which decision can be rendered.
• Assesses and evaluates all testimony and documents presented at the hearing in order to determine final decision on issue or validity of claim.
• Explains prescribed procedures, duties of the hearing officer, purpose of the hearing, and rights of the claimant in order to ensure all parties know their rights and will be able to participate in the hearing.
• Discusses and questions all parties testifying during the hearing in order to identify issues and clarify testimony presented.
• Determines legality and direction of testimony and cross examination in order to arbitrate and control hearing process.
• Writes formal report defining issues and listing relevant facts and documents presented as testimony in order to advise all parties of final decision and instruct agency personnel on appropriate action to take.
• Advises program managers when policies are not being applied or correctly interpreted in order to correct problems which result in appeals.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Determines time, date, and place of hearing in order to schedule and provide a forum in which a decision can be rendered.
• Assesses and evaluates all testimony and documents presented at the hearing in order to determine the final decision on the issue or validity of the claim.
• Explains prescribed procedures, duties of the hearing officer, purpose of the hearing, and rights of the claimant in order to ensure all parties know their rights and will be able to participate in the hearing.
• Discusses and questions all parties testifying during the hearing in order to identify issues and clarify testimony presented.
• Determines legality and direction of testimony and cross-examination in order to arbitrate and control the hearing process.
• Writes a formal report defining issues and listing relevant facts and documents presented as testimony in order to advise all parties of the final decision and instruct agency personnel on appropriate action to take.
• Advises program managers when policies are not being applied or correctly interpreted in order to correct problems that result in appeals.

Minimum qualifications:

Education, training, and/or experience in administrative law, public administration, or another legal or regulatory field demonstrating competency in applying knowledge of the adjudicatory hearings process, conducting administrative hearings, arbitrations, or mediations, assessing complex information/documents, and preparing final decisions or complex reports.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

Knowledge of Maine’s unemployment insurance program would be preferred but not required. Preference may be given to applicants who hold degrees from American Bar Association accredited law schools.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Chris Gagne at Christopher.Gagne@Maine.gov

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value). 

• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.86% for Confidential employees. 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.