Hearing Officer

Hearing Officer 1 (NY HELPS)
• Assistant Attorney 1
• Assistant Attorney 2
• Assistant Hearing Officer

Announcement Posted: 12/9/2025

Responses must be hand delivered or postmarked by: 2/28/2026

• $96,336 - $121,413 (Hearing Officer) / $82,326 (Assistant Hearing Officer)
• $66,951 (Assistant Attorney
  1)
• $74,193 (Assistant Attorney
  2)

Office of Administrative Hearings
295 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203

25/NS

NY HELPS:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, candidates may be hired via a non‑competitive appointment if they meet the below NY HELPS minimum qualifications.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non‑competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

• Hearing Officer 1 (SG‑25): 12 months as an Assistant Hearing Officer, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience in the trial of issues in courts of record or in the conduct or trial of adversary proceedings, quasi‑judicial in nature, before a governmental department or agency.
• Assistant Attorney 1 (NS equated to SG‑18): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission.
• Assistant Attorney 2 (NS equated to SG‑20): Admission to NYS Bar.
• Assistant Hearing Officer (NS equated to SG‑22): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, or Admission to NYS Bar and 12 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience in the trial of issues in courts of record or in the conduct or trial of adversary proceedings, quasi‑judicial in nature, before a governmental department or agency.

Competitive

Qualifications:

Eligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title. (Information about transfer availability can be found at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).)

Titles which require special qualifications must also meet the following criteria:

• Same as above bullet list.

• The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) seeks the best candidates for positions across New York State. OAH needs decision‑makers—like you—fair, impartial, and dedicated. Research shows that women and people from under‑represented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the desired competencies. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet all the desired competencies.
• We want to represent every segment of New York State’s population.
• Ideal candidates are passionate, polite, patient, have a strong academic background, and can handle a fast‑paced workload. Energetic, creative, well‑organized, independent, hard‑working, personable, possess oral advocacy and succinct writing skills.
• Experience with social service benefit programs is helpful but not necessary. Hearing Officers produce “signature ready” decisions after completing hearings. OAH’s training program includes administrative and substantive law, writing, and how to create a full record while presiding over administrative hearings.
• Successful candidates should research OTDA and OAH before submitting cover letters and resumes. (Recommended resources: OTDA website, OAH website, New York State Social Services Law Section 22 et seq., 18 NYCRR 358 et seq., Goldberg v. Kelly, 397 U.S. 254 (1970), Executive Order 131 issued by Governor Mario Cuomo on December 4, 1989.)

Hearing Officers will serve as Administrative Law Judges presiding over impartial hearings for applicants and recipients of social services benefit programs administered by OTDA and other Executive agencies. They will review, decide, and document claims and appeals related to benefits, licenses, and health and safety…