Administrative Hearing Officer; Deputy Attorney General

Introduction

Delaware's Attorney General, the State's chief law enforcement officer, has a broad responsibility to combat crime, uphold civil rights, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State. In meeting this mission, Attorney General Kathy Jennings is supported by teams of talented lawyers and staff in the Criminal, Civil, Family, Fraud and Consumer Protection, and Civil Rights and Public Trust Divisions.

Each of the more than 500 staff who work in the Office of the Attorney General are dedicated to serving all Delawareans with integrity and passion. Deputy Attorneys General, with critical support from criminal special investigators, victim service specialists, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff, prosecute criminal cases, enforce consumer laws, provide counsel to state agencies, ensure the public's access to open government, protect the abused, and much more.

The Delaware Department of Justice is seeking a Casual/Seasonal Administrative Hearing Officer to serve as the presiding officer for administrative matters initiated by the Consumer Protection Unit and the Investor Protection Unit pursuant to their respective statutory enforcement authority.

This position is currently approved to work up to 37.5 hours per week and is paid on an hourly basis. Please note that casual/seasonal employment is subject to the limitations set forth in 29 Del.

C. § 5903(17) a, and work hours may be adjusted in accordance with the State of Delaware’s authority to retain individuals in a casual/seasonal capacity.

Salary:

• Pay Grade 12 DAG I – $44.85 (hourly)
• Pay Grade 14 DAG II – Hourly Salary Range $47.31/min – $49.62/max
• Pay Grade 16 DAG III – Hourly Salary Range $52.25/min – $53.40/max
• Pay Grade 18 DAG IV – Hourly Salary Range $57.44/min – $60.22/max
• Pay Grade 20 DAG V – Hourly Salary Range $64.55/min – $69.30/max

* The hourly rate of $44.85 for the Deputy Attorney General I position applies to candidates who hold active bar admission.

The hearing officer will report to the State Solicitor and will be compensated in the same manner as casual seasonal deputy attorneys general. The hearing officer may also perform other duties of a deputy attorney general as assigned.

This position will be based in Wilmington, Delaware but occasional in-state travel may be required.

The Hearing Officer may be appointed by the Attorney General or her designee to oversee administrative proceedings brought by (i) the Consumer Protection Unit pursuant to its administrative authority under 29 Del.

C. Ch. 25 and (ii) the Investor Protection Unit pursuant to its administrative authority under the Delaware Securities Act (6 Del.

C. Ch. 73). Upon appointment for a given matter, the Hearing Officer will be responsible for:

• Presiding over hearings, motion practice, and other administrative proceedings in a manner consistent with applicable statutes and regulations.
• Making factual findings and legal conclusions consistent with applicable statutes and regulations, and issuing opinions and orders based on such findings and conclusions.
• Conducting appropriate post‑hearing work, including review of legal briefs submitted by involved parties and providing certification of the record as required by statute.

Examples of subject matters that may be presided over by a hearing officer include:

• Financial fraud involving cryptocurrency
• Landlord/tenant matters
• Automobile sales and warranties
• Home improvement practices
• Securities and investment fraud
• Investment adviser and broker dealer registration

This is a challenging position that provides an opportunity to oversee a variety of matters on issues of public importance. The successful candidate should be able to work independently and keep matters moving forward. Solid academic achievement, relevant work experience, and a familiarity with the legal subject matter likely to be presented, including consumer protection and securities regulation, is preferred. We seek an individual with a strong commitment to working in the public interest.

The successful candidate must be duly admitted to practice law before the Supreme…