ABOUT OATH:
The City of New York’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) is the nation’s largest administrative tribunal, holding approximately 400,000 trials and hearings a year. As the City’s central, independent administrative law court, OATH adjudicates a wide range of matters filed by nearly every city agency, board and commission. OATH also houses the Center for Creative Conflict Resolution which provides mediation and restorative justice support to City government agencies and the general public, and the Administrative Judicial Institute, a resource center that provides training, continuing education, research and support services for administrative law judges and hearing officers.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
OATH is seeking attorneys to serve as Judicial Hearing Officers (JHOs) in its Hearings Division and Appeals Division. JHOs are independent adjudicators who decide whether to sustain or dismiss civil summonses filed by NYC enforcement agencies against members of the public (individuals, businesses, etc.). Each day, JHOs conduct multiple hearings, review evidence, assess legal arguments, and issue written decisions.
JHOs are responsible for maintaining procedures to ensure that cases are heard, and decisions rendered in a timely manner, while knowledgably and accurately conveying agency policy to the public. The ideal candidate is an ambitious, energetic and experienced attorney who enjoys the growth opportunities afforded by OATH’s ongoing commitment to positive institutional change, technological enhancement, and maximizing the public’s access to justice. JHOs must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and work effectively within tight deadlines.
JHOs are scheduled on the needs of the agency and may work up to 1,000 hours per year at the hourly rate noted above. JHOs may maintain outside employment. JHOs work off-site, using their own computer and telephone. If assigned to the Hearings Division, JHOs will be conducting hearings remotely by phone. If assigned to the Appeals Division, JHOs will be reviewing written appeal requests and writing appeal decisions.
NOTE: No incumbent shall work more than 17 hours per week in any two consecutive weeks, or more than 1,000 hours per year.
Work Location: Remote Only
Minimum Qualifications
1. A license to practice law in the State of New York, which must be maintained; and
2. Three years of recent satisfactory relevant legal experience subsequent to
admission to the bar.
Preferred Skills
- 1. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. - 2. Excellent writing, legal research and analytical skills - 3. Strong organizational skills. - 4. Computer skills in Microsoft Word, Access, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. - 5. Prior adjudicatory experience and/or knowledge of NYC enforcement agencies is helpful but not required.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
New York City Residency is not required for this position.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
