JOB TITLE: ATTORNEY EXAMINER

JOB CODE: 07220

DEFINITION: This is professional, legal work conducting hearings to appeal decisions rendered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) regarding programs, benefits, and services.

An employee in this job conducts and adjudicates quasi-judicial appeal hearings regarding departmental decisions and actions impacting recipients and providers of DHS and PDA program services and benefits. Work involves hearing sensitive and complex issues; making rulings on motions regarding the validity and permissibility of evidence; researching, analyzing, and interpreting laws, regulations, and policies; and rendering decisions and legal opinions based on evidence presented at formal hearings. Work also includes providing guidance and instruction to hearing officers, legal assistants, and other support staff. Work is performed independently within established precedents, procedures, and regulations and general supervision is provided by a regional manager.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Conducts a variety of quasi-judicial hearings for the adjudication and disposition of single and multi-issue appeals initiated by applicants or current recipients, nursing homes, doctors, other professional agencies, organizations, and practitioners aggrieved by DHS or PDA decisions, actions, or policies.

• Conducts pre-hearing conferences to define issues and address motions prior to a full hearing on the merits.

• Administers oaths, instructs parties as to their rights, explains rules on the admissibility of evidence as provided by law, examines witnesses, and issues subpoenas requiring the appearance of witnesses and the production of records and documents.

• Conducts remanded hearings ordered by the Secretary of the Department of Human Services and the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

• Confers with parties regarding program regulation interpretation and issues pertinent to the appeal.

• Researches, analyzes, and interprets laws, statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and determines their applicability to the evidence of cases heard.

• Determines findings of fact and writes adjudications and orders.

• Confirms hearing dates, locations, recording and interpreting services, and participating parties.

• Reviews hearing transcriptions, hearing exhibits, and pertinent departmental regulations and law.

• Conducts quasi-judicial hearings for the DHS, PDA, Office of State Inspector General, DHS Medical Providers, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and others with interagency agreements on various issues.

• Prepares or supervises the preparation of orders, decrees, decisions, determinations, and other legal documentation arising from the adjudication process.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Travels to attend hearings, meetings, and trainings.

• Performs related work as required

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of adjudicative hearings.

• Knowledge of the rules and regulations pertaining to examination of parties and witnesses under oath.

• Knowledge of judicial procedures, legal documentation, and rules of evidence.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to conduct legal research and analyze information relevant to the issues of a case.

• Ability to research, read, interpret, apply, and analyze laws, policies, standards, and procedures.

• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality in accordance with bureau and departmental policy.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Two years of professional legal work which includes one year of trial work experience; and a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of a certification of current license and active admission in good standing to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.