07/10/2000 46472

CHIEF HEARING EXAMINER, CORRECTIONS

DEFINITION: This is managerial and quasi-judicial work directing the adjudication of administrative appeals involving reported acts of misconduct by inmates in state correctional institutions and facilities.

The employee in this class serves as Chief of the Hearing Examiner Division and is responsible for managing the Department of Corrections Hearing Examination Program. The work involves supervising hearing examiner supervisors who are responsible for supervising the conduct of administrative and fact-finding hearings on reports issued against inmates for alleged commission of misconduct and criminal acts. The work also involves coordinating and monitoring the hearing process to ensure compliance with Departmental procedures and that sanctions are properly administered; providing training for hearing examiner supervisors and hearing examiners; scheduling work; maintaining statistical reports regarding inmate misconducts and sanctions; and conducting the final review of inmate appeals of misconduct hearings to ensure consistency of decisions prior to the preparation of the formal response. The work also involves formulating policies and procedures related to the conduct of administrative hearings as required by department policy; reviewing hearing officer decisions; and revising these decisions based on laws, regulations, and departmental policy. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policies and procedures and is reviewed by an administrative supervisor through individual conferences and reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Trains and supervises hearing examiner supervisors and hearing examiners in conducting quasi-judicial hearings to adjudicate reported acts of misconduct by inmates.

Manages the Department's Misconduct Tracking System.

Develops, implements and monitors an effective implementation process that assures decisions are complete, accurate and timely.

Reviews adjudications by hearing officers and supervisors and revises the decision, as necessary, based on laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Coordinates and monitors hearings to ensure they are conducted in accordance with departmental procedures and that sanctions are properly administered.

Develops and maintains required statistical reports regarding inmate misconducts and sanctions.

Reviews and comments on inmate appeals of misconduct hearings.

Conducts misconduct hearings as needed.

Interprets departmental policies and procedures regarding inmate hearings, appeals, and disciplinary processes.

Serves as liaison between hearing examiners and institution administrative staff.

Makes work assignments, reviews work upon completion, prepares performance evaluation reports, takes disciplinary action on reported infractions of rules, and recommends action regarding the hiring and termination of employees.

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

Performs related work.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of modern correctional principles and practices.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior of persons with criminal backgrounds.

Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of supervision.

Knowledge of correctional institution management and operation.

Ability to conduct quasi-judicial hearings.

Ability to interpret policies, rules, regulations, and administrative and court decisions relating to inmate due process.

Ability to analyze administrative hearings to ensure they are conducted in accordance with due process and departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Ability to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the work of subordinates and to instruct them on procedures and regulations.

Ability to train subordinate staff to conduct quasi-judicial hearings.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with inmates, staff, and members of other agencies and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience as a Hearing Examiner Supervisor with the Department of Corrections;

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Three years as a Hearing Examiner with the Department of Corrections;

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training.