687281 - OPS SPECIAL DEPUTY(ATTORNEY/HEARING OFFICER - 40099091 1

Requisition No: 687281 

Agency: Economic Opportunity

Working Title: 687281 - OPS SPECIAL DEPUTY(ATTORNEY/HEARING OFFICER - 40099091 1

Position Number: 40099091 

Salary:  $19.59 - 22.00 

Posting Closing Date: 03/31/2023 

JOB TYPE: FULL TIME /OPS

POSITION LOCATION: Ft Lauderdale, FL

SALARY SPECIFICATION:  $22 per hour for Florida Bar Licensed individuals; $19.59 per hour for individuals not Florida Bar licensed.

            OPEN COMPETITIVE

      Multiple Hires

www.floridajobs.org/

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) works across the state to support Florida’s economy, robust and talented workforce and our local communities. We are dedicated to making a stronger and more resilient Florida, so our businesses, communities and workforce are better prepared to withstand future economic slowdowns and natural disasters.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.  (TTY/TDD 1-800-955-8771 or the Florida Relay Service – 711.)

Let DEO’s mission become yours. To find out more about us, click on the link : http://www.floridajobs.org/

Interviews may be held in person, virtually online, or via phone.  

This is not a telework position.

The Work You Will Do:

The OPS SPECIAL DEPUTY is a member of the RA SOUTH FLORIDA APPEALS team of the Division of Workforce Services. A Special Deputy functions as a hearing officer conducings administrative hearings on disputed Reemployment Assistance (unemployment compensation) claims based on appeals filed by claimants and employers concerning the eligibility or disqualification of benefits, overpayment and repayment of benefits, fraud, reemployment assistance tax, employer liability, and benefit charges to employers. 

The Difference You Will Make:

DEO is a fast-paced work environment in which critical thinking and prioritizing are a must.

How You Will Grow:

DEO encourages its employees to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies.  Trainings are made available throughout the year and on request with our Office of HR Training and with our Division of Workforce Training Unit. In accordance with DEO’s Vision and Mission, the employee:

• Furthers Florida’s economic vision by providing support that enhances the economy and develops, safe, and healthy communities.
• Meets customer/client expectations with an emphasis on responsiveness, quality, quantity, and timeliness of work.
• Provides information clearly, accurately, and succinctly; and also exhibits good listening skills.
• Works collaboratively to optimize the effectiveness of DEO's available resources and tools.
• Uses knowledge acquired through education, training, or experience to complete tasks.

These expectations are for all our employees, and you will be expected to model these as a leader.  We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience.  

Where You Will Work:   

Just 30 miles north of Miami, the City of Fort Lauderdale is known as the “Venice of America” because of its extensive canal system. Fort Lauderdale is eighth largest city in Florida and boast 300+ days of sunshine, over 300 miles of waterfront and 24-miles of golden beaches. Fort Lauderdale is also home to Port Everglades which is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world and is a hub for international business, tourism and many other diverse industries. One of the best places in Florida for families to relocate to, Broward County has the sixth largest public-school system in the nation and is home to some reputable institutions including Broward College, Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University. With a myriad of businesses, hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions available for residence and tourist Fort Lauderdale has a little something for everybody.

WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS MORE THAN A PAYCHECK!!

* State Group Insurance coverage options+                                              

   (health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental options)                            

* Ongoing comprehensive training provided             

* Career Growth                                                                                           

* Highly skilled, professional environment                 

+For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Pay:

$19.59 - $22.00 per hour.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• Conduct hearings to decide issues regarding reemployment assistance benefits and liability
• Monitor and direct the activities of hearings to ensure they are conducted fairly
• Determine existence and amount of liability, eligibility or qualification of benefits according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents and available evidence
• Prepare written decisions
• Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, evidence, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and determine conclusions
• APPEALS HEARINGS ACTIVITIES:  The Special Deputy is required to take all evidence under oath, determine the order of testimony, develop the hearing record, control disruptive parties, rule on objections to evidence, and rule on all oral or written motions filed with the Special Deputy during the hearing. Regardless of whether a party is represented by counsel or duly authorized agent, the Special Deputy is responsible for insuring that a complete record is made of the facts and circumstances surrounding the issues involved. 
• DECISION WRITING ACTIVITIES: The Special Deputy must issue a written decision on each case, using proper grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure in composing decisions.  Decisions must be prepared in a timely manner to meet federal time lapse standards.   In formulating the decision, the Special Deputy must analyze the evidence entered in the record at the hearing. 
• PREHEARING AND SCHEDULING ACTIVITIES: The Special Deputy is required to review each assigned case file, determine the issues involved and compile the evidence, schedule the hearing and prepare for the scheduled hearing. The Special Deputy must rule on pre-hearing motions, such as motions to affect discovery, issue or quash subpoenas, motions for continuance, and any other pre-hearing motions filed by a party.

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Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to understand, interpret and apply statutes, regulations, rules, court rules, rules of evidence, and applicable court cases
• Principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication.
• Skill at legal research and conducting administrative hearings.
• Proficiency with computer systems and software, case management systems and Microsoft Office products.
• Sound judgment and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to evaluate legal issues; compose and prepare decisions, prioritize and organize documents and workload, and conduct hearings under stress and heavy workload.

Qualifications:

As a condition of pre-employment eligibility, a Level 2 security background screening is required, which consists of fingerprinting and a check of local, state and national law enforcement records.  

Minimum –

• Duties and responsibilities of this position must be performed at the official work site of the Department.

Preferred -

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Professional or nonprofessional experience in areas related to employment security, or administrative experience, or reemployment assistance on a year-for-year basis for the preferred college education. 

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.