What does a hearing officer do?
A hearing officer is sometimes also known as an administrative law judge. They are an officer of the law in charge of legal processes in courts. They settle administrative disputes, settle negotiations between opposing parties, issues legal decisions, and conduct pretrial hearings. They are also responsible for researching legal issues, which includes reading through documents like motions, claim applicants, etc. Extensive experience in law is required for this position.
Hearing officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real hearing officer resumes:
- Brief patients on test about to be perform explained test results and make follow up appointments as needed.
- Perform professional, quasi-judicial work conducting hearings and preparing recommend decisions on child support establishment, enforcement and modification appeals.
- Perform quasi-judicial duties presiding over unemployment insurance administrative hearings to decide appeals alleging a full array of employer-employee misconduct and grievances.
- Prepare and update litigation files for review board hearings.
- Assist in mediation, perform case reviews and other legal tasks.
- Research precedent cases and applicable law to aid in mediation process.
- Review cases, locate patient that are denied for medi-cal and/or SSI benefits.
- Accept, proof, mark and present to the ALJ new exhibits admit for evidence.
- Communicate with parents and attend IEP meetings about the needs of their hearing- impair child.
- Rule on motions, approve subpoenas, order designated doctor examinations, and approve attorney's fees.
- Record all post development matters request by the ALJ and securing complete file and documentation for every hearing.
- Respond to questions by hearing participants, advising them on procedural matters including rules relate to rescheduling cases and issuing subpoenas.
- Refer patients to additional medical or educational services if need.
- Schedule appeal discussions between opposing parties on issues of Medicaid eligibility.
- Review and assist with HUD documentation.
Hearing officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Hearing Officers are proficient in Documentary Evidence, Legal Research, and Appeals.
We break down the percentage of Hearing Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Documentary Evidence, 17%
Evaluated and analyzed legal testimony, documentary evidence, and issued written administrative law decisions.
- Legal Research, 9%
Conducted legal research for nonprofit historic preservation organization; Wrote legal memorandum on findings.
- Appeals, 9%
Performed quasi-judicial duties presiding over unemployment insurance administrative hearings to decide appeals alleging a full array of employer-employee misconduct and grievances.
- Due Process, 6%
Ensured due process was afforded to each inmate making swift, fair, impartial, and non-retaliatory decisions consistent with policy.
- Conduct Hearings, 5%
Conduct hearings and issue written decisions in cases examining eligibility of disabled adults for vocational training benefits.
- Subpoenas, 5%
Responded to questions by hearing participants, advising them on procedural matters including rules related to rescheduling cases and issuing subpoenas.
Common skills that a hearing officer uses to do their job include "documentary evidence," "legal research," and "appeals." You can find details on the most important hearing officer responsibilities below.
Listening skills. The most essential soft skill for a hearing officer to carry out their responsibilities is listening skills. This skill is important for the role because "judges and hearing officers evaluate information, so they must pay close attention to what is being said." Additionally, a hearing officer resume shows how their duties depend on listening skills: "listen to testimony, question witnesses, view evidence and render a written decision. "
Writing skills. Another essential skill to perform hearing officer duties is writing skills. Hearing officers responsibilities require that "judges and hearing officers write recommendations and decisions on appeals and disputes." Hearing officers also use writing skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "research and writing of legal decisions. "
The three companies that hire the most hearing officers are:
- Superior Court Of California12 hearing officers jobs
- State Of Montana4 hearing officers jobs
- My Florida Regional Mls3 hearing officers jobs
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Compare different hearing officers
Hearing officer vs. Workers' compensation commissioner
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between hearing officers and workers' compensation commissioner. For instance, hearing officer responsibilities require skills such as "documentary evidence," "legal research," "appeals," and "due process." Whereas a workers' compensation commissioner is skilled in "dispute resolution," "continuous improvement," "osha," and "process documentation." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Workerss' compensation commissioner tend to reach higher levels of education than hearing officers. In fact, workerss' compensation commissioner are 29.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 13.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Hearing officer vs. Ordinary
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, hearing officer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "documentary evidence," "legal research," "appeals," and "due process." Meanwhile, an ordinary has duties that require skills in areas such as "general maintenance," "safety equipment," "engine room," and "emergency situations." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, ordinaries achieve lower levels of education than hearing officers. They're 10.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 13.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hearing officer vs. Administrative law judge
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a hearing officer is likely to be skilled in "due process," "social security," "law enforcement," and "rehabilitation," while a typical administrative law judge is skilled in "administrative law," "litigation," "administrative hearings," and "mediation."
Administrative law judges make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $75,426. On the other hand, hearing officers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $64,393.administrative law judges typically earn similar educational levels compared to hearing officers. Specifically, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 18.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hearing officer vs. Administrative judge
Updated January 8, 2025
