Hearing Officer or Assistant Attorney or or Assistant Hearing Officer; NY HELPS

Hearing Officer / Assistant Attorney (NY HELPS)

Location: NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance
Job Type: Full‑time
Seniority Level: Entry level
Job Function: Legal
Industry: Government Administration

Base pay: $66,951.00 – $ per year

• Reviews requests for hearings to determine probable issues and apply the appropriate regulations and sections of law.
• Directs the attendance of witnesses and the production of necessary books, records and other documents.
• Manages hearing calendars to ensure all cases are heard and decided in a timely manner as prescribed by applicable statute.
• Conducts hearings to review and/or decide appeals from agency determinations, claims regarding eligibility for benefits, discontinuance, denial, adequacy or reduction of benefits, revocation or suspension of licenses, violations of State laws, and enforcement of health and safety laws and regulations.
• Instructs the parties of their rights; and maintains an atmosphere of fairness, impartiality and due process.
• Administers oaths and affirmations.
• Elicits testimony from parties relative to the issues of the hearing and questions witnesses to obtain facts.
• Rules on various issues including objections by parties, relevance and admissibility of evidence and exhibits, and requests for adjournment.
• Organizes legal information or records; receives and identifies all exhibits produced and enters admissible evidence into the record.
• Maintains a record of the hearing proceeding.
• Applies appropriate laws, regulations and policies to the facts and evidence.
• Analyzes data to discover facts in case. Researches laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
• Decides the issue being adjudicated as authorized by the applicable statute or rule.
• Drafts written opinions and decisions. When designated, may issue final and binding hearing decisions.
• Recommends the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.
• May explain to parties how to appeal unfavorable rulings.
• Reviews new legislation, regulations and other developments that have an impact on the conduct of hearings or on hearing decisions, and studies court cases having an impact on the hearing process.
• May assist in defending lawsuits regarding hearing decisions by conducting research, drafting briefs and other supporting documents.
• May assist in post‑issuance review of hearing decisions by conducting research and drafting responses to review requests.

• Hearing Officer 1 (SG‑25): 12 months as an Assistant Hearing Officer, or admission to the NYS Bar and 24 months of satisfactory legal experience in trial of issues in courts of record or in adversary proceedings.
• Assistant Attorney 1 (NS ≈ SG‑18): law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar admission.
• Assistant Attorney 2 (NS ≈ SG‑20): admission to NYS Bar.
• Assistant Hearing Officer (NS ≈ SG‑22): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, or admission to NYS Bar and 12 months of satisfactory legal experience in trial of issues in courts of record or in adversary proceedings.

Eligible for lateral transfer or transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law after one year of permanent competitive service. Transfer eligibility details.

• Fair, impartial, decisive, and dedicated decision‑makers who value social service benefit programs.
• Strong academic background, energetic, creative, well‑organized, independent, hard‑working, personable, with oral advocacy and succinct writing skills.
• Experience with social service benefit programs is helpful, but not required.
• Ability to produce “signature‑ready” decisions after completing hearings.
• Willingness to review OTDA and OAH resources and legal precedents (e.g., NYCRR 358, Goldberg v. Kelly, Executive Order 131).

Full‑time permanent appointments. Hearing Officers are expected to travel to various locations to conduct hearings, including residences as assigned. Telecommuting up to 50% may be available in accordance with OTDA policy and can be…