Administrative Hearing Officer

Administrative Hearing Officer

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Board of Tax Review (IBTR): The Indiana Board of Tax Review ("IBTR") is the state agency charged with deciding property tax assessment appeals. The IBTR addresses appeals contesting real and personal property assessments. It also addresses appeals concerning property tax exemptions, deductions, and credits.

Role Overview

As the Administrative Law Judge Attorney (ALJ), you will be responsible for presiding over numerous administrative proceedings originating from determinations by assessing officials, property tax assessment board of appeals, and assessment determinations made by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Research and interpret laws, promulgated rules, and legal opinions pertaining to agency operations
• Serve as an ALJ
• Hear evidence, rule on the admissibility of evidence, and make reasoned decisions supported by evidence
• Comply with all established timelines for proceedings
• Ensure decisions avoid errors and are not subject to remand on account of (1) failing to address the issues raised by parties, (2) failing to develop the record as required by Indiana Law, (3) failing to adhere to hearing procedures established by law, (4) failing to be based on substantial evidence, (5) being arbitrary or capricious, and/or (6) being contrary to any constitutional, statutory, or legal principle
• Conduct administrative hearings while maintaining appropriate decorum
• Responsible for the form, preparation, and distribution of documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions
• Maintain legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records of proceedings relating to cases assigned to you in your capacity as an ALJ
• Recommend and follow established office objectives, policies, and procedures
• Perform legal research and writing assignments
• Successfully utilize agency's case management system to manage a docket, case information, party information, and serve orders

Salary: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $85,020.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience.

A Day in the Life

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• May train, manage, delegate to, and/or provide support for any legal support staff
• Advises and provides legal support to agency staff on various program and legal areas
• May oversee, draft, review, or provide legal advice relating to contracts
• Researches, interprets, and provides legal advice in relation to laws, rules, policies, and legal opinions pertaining to agency operations
• May draft and review legislation and administrative rules
• Utilizes legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records relating to legal procedures
• Creates, prepares, and distributes documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions
• Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development
• Sets expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees
• Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures
• May handle administrative matters and hearings while maintaining appropriate decorum, hear evidence, rule on the admissibility of evidence, and/or make reasoned decisions supported by evidence
• May be required to utilize litigation skills and experience relating to agency operations
• Organizes and manages caseload in the preparation of hearings and/or litigation
• May review pleadings, motions, and discovery
• May draft appeals or briefs, or perform legal writing assignments

What You'll Need for Success

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• A Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney
• Indiana Bar Admission license in good standing
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing
• Ability to successfully utilize a case management system to manage a docket, case information, party information, and serve orders
• Strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity: The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.