Administrative Law Judge

Administrative Law Judge

Agency: 185 CORPORATION COMMISSION

Supervisory Organization: Corporation Commission

Job Posting End Date: Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank): Full/Part-Time: Full time

Job Type: Regular

Compensation: Salary up to $105,000.00 based on experience.

Job Description

Basic Purpose: Under supervision of the OCC Chief Justice, reviews records, conducts hearings, determines pertinent issues, and issues recommendations to the Commissioners regarding cases before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission ("Commission"). The primary area for which OCC is seeking applicants is in the area of oil and natural gas cases.

Typical Functions

• Conducts assigned hearings.
• Determines if there is substantial evidence to support granting, denying, or granting in part an application in accordance with Federal and State laws, Commission rules and regulations, court decisions, and additional established precedents.
• Manages all aspects of the hearing as well as the courtroom environment, including but not limited to:
  • Courtroom decorum
  • Directing parties,
  • Ruling on objections, emergencies, continuances, and admissibility of evidence
  • Ruling on motions as well as the merits of a case.
  • Administering oaths for formal hearings
  • Questioning witnesses when appropriate.
  • Reviewing oral and written testimony
  • Determining elements of complete case record.
  • Issues written recommendations that clearly set forth facts, relevant legal standard, jurisdiction, legal conclusions, and recommendation(s). Written recommendations are to be of high quality, timely completed and judicially consistent. Issues recommendations based upon applicable provisions of law, evidence, and testimony. Determines elements of a complete case record and affords due process to all parties in a case. Establishes findings of fact on evidence in the record and conducts any necessary research to determine conclusions of law.
• Attends and conducts educational training in areas of law under the authority of the Commission, as well as general jurisdiction and judicial proceedings.
• Provides information regarding matters over which the Commission has jurisdiction.
• Performs related work as required and assigned.

Level Descriptor

Levels are distinguished based on the complexity of assigned duties, the level of expertise required for completion of work assignments, and the responsibility assigned for the supervision of others. This is the advanced level of the job family where incumbents are responsible for more complex cases that can have a substantial impact on individuals or businesses. Incumbents will ensure dockets are heard, deadlines are met, case related correspondence and office communications are sent timely; office coverage is maintained per agency standards and represent the agency in various venues providing a variety of audiences with pertinent information, and education on new rules, laws, and procedural updates.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Knowledge of legal principles and their application; legal research methods; courtroom management and procedure; technical aspects of oil and natural gas operations; State statutes, rules and regulations which govern such operations; administrative and constitutional law; principles of judicial writing; and rules of evidence. Skills in performing research; analyzing and applying legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal problems; presenting Findings of Fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in oral and written form; proficient communication skills to correspond involving the explanation of legal matters in layman's terms; operating technology in the virtual and physical courtroom; and editing legal documents, such as reports and orders.

Education and Experience

This Administrative Law Judge vacancy is not an entry-level position.

• Must be a licensed member of the Oklahoma Bar Association.
• At least ten (10) years of Litigation and/or Administrative Law experience.
• Significant experience with legal research and writing.
• Experience using critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated use and understanding of Office 365 or similar technology.
• Experience using courtroom technology systems.
• Must be a self-starter that can manage his/her own workload with minimal supervision.
• Preferred candidates will have at least five (5) years of experience in the legal practice in oil and natural gas.
• Preferred candidates will have extensive knowledge of oil and natural gas technical aspects and property rights issues. These areas include but are not limited to permitting, production, environmental protection, conservation practices, forced poolings, horizontal drilling, vertical drilling, and secondary recovery methods.
• Preferred candidates will have extensive knowledge in preparing legal documents related to oil and natural gas, including specific OCC orders and permits.

Special Requirements

Must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, (5 O.S. Chapter 1, Appendix 3-A)

Some agencies may require candidates to have practiced law in a specific area.

Some agencies may give preference to candidates with prior experience as an Administrative Law Judge or Administrative Hearing Officer.

Some agencies may give preference to candidates having practiced law in a specific area.

Some agencies who exercise exclusive jurisdiction over rights and whose orders are appealed directly to the Supreme Court may, notwithstanding the amount set forth in the pay band tables, set salaries of Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) pursuant to the structure for Special Judge or Associate District Judge as established pursuant to 20 O.S. §§ 3.3 and 92.1A, which provides an objective, standardized process and basis for judicial pay structures.

Additional Job Description

The work location will be in the Oklahoma City office of the Corporation Commission. Core work hours for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission are Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm. This schedule may require flexibility based on the needs of the agency.

Benefits

As an employee with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, you will enjoy excellent state benefits including:

• 15 days accrued annually during the first 1–5 years of service.
• 18 days accrued annually for 5–10 years of service.
• 20 days accrued annually for 10–20 years of service.
• 25 days accrued annually for over 20 years of service.
• Sick leave: Accrued at 15 days per year
• A comprehensive health insurance package – medical, dental, vision, life insurance, dependent life insurance, and flexible medical spending account
• A generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Retirement plans: Defined Contribution Plan or Deferred Compensation Plan

Conditions of Employment

• Contingent on a favorable background check
• FLSA Exempt status
• Must maintain a valid driver's license
• Must be willing to travel if necessary for hearing cases not housed in Oklahoma City.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities of and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform or of all qualifications that may be required either now or in the future.

All employees appointed to state service, whether initial hiring, transferring from one state agency to another state agency, or returning to state service following a break in service will be required to complete a twelve-month trial period in accordance with Civil Service and Human Capital Modernization Rule 260:130-19-30.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.