Administrative Hearing Officer-Statewide

About Us

Business is booming in South Carolina! Are you ready to be a part of developing and connecting the next generation of workers in this state? Year after year, experts pick our state as one of the best in the country for doing business. Just last year, South Carolina announced more than 14,000 new jobs and $10 billion in capital investment. Entrepreneurs are flocking to cities like Greenville, Charleston, Columbia, and Rock Hill to start and grow their businesses.

And our hospitality industry is primed to take off as travelers from around the world continue to discover the beauty and accessibility of South Carolina’s mountains and coast.

Here at the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), we are laser‑focused on connecting every jobseeker who comes through our doors with their next great career opportunity! If you are looking for a meaningful position at an agency brimming with optimism and camaraderie that also offers job security, affordable health insurance, great retirement benefits, and work‑life balance, continue reading to discover your chance to make a difference at DEW.

Are you an analytical and detail‑oriented professional ready to handle complex legal and quasi‑judicial matters? Our Administrative Hearing Officer Tier I will play an important role in handling Unemployment Insurance (UI), reviewing tax status, managing debt setoff, and addressing associated benefit over payment issues. This position operates under limited supervision in accordance with management directives, provided training, and department policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will need the ability to listen, write and format legal documents, and make decisions with good judgment while using time efficiently.

In this role, you will review case records, research relevant laws and precedents, conduct quasi‑judicial hearings for various disputes, and issue decisions in compliance with South Carolina laws and federal regulations.

• Review Case Records:
  Examine records to identify issues, research relevant laws and precedents for assigned cases.
• Conduct Hearings:
  Lead quasi‑judicial administrative hearings for unemployment compensation and other labor‑related disputes.
• Issue Decisions:
  Draft and deliver decisions that comply with South Carolina laws and federal regulations.
• Ensure Decision Quality:
  Ensure decisions are professional, understandable, and free of errors, addressing all issues raised during hearings.
• Process Appeals:
  Promptly manage Lower Authority Appeals within legal and policy frameworks, ensuring proper issues are scheduled and noticed.
• Conduct Hearings in Compliance:
  Carry out unemployment insurance, trade, and tax hearings according to DEW policies and regulations, ensuring fair and adherence to DOL quality criteria.

Are you ready to take on this challenge and help support South Carolina’s workforce system? Please apply. We look forward to hearing from you!

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree and 1 year experience in unemployment insurance, legal or quasi‑judicial areas or a Juris Doctor degree with no experience.

Additional Requirements: Knowledge of UI benefits and tax laws, rules of evidence, administrative procedures, and other related law. Knowledge of docket claim management. Keyboarding skills required.

Juris Doctor degree or bachelor's degree and 5 years Unemployment Insurance (UI) experience.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Please complete the State application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.