Employment Security Appeals Referee (Durational)

To Apply:

• These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion, and merit employment rules.  Applications to this recruitment will be used to meet collective bargaining requirements.  Once any collective bargaining requirements have been met, all other applications may be considered.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meets the preferred qualifications, so please ensure that your application is complete and details your experience as outlined in this job posting.  Please note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.
• For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.

Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.

Connect With Us:

• If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Rocky Young at rocky.young@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number. 
• Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

In the Department of Labor, Employment Security Appeals Division this class receives on-the-job training in quasi-judicial work conducting hearings and rendering decisions on unemployment insurance appeals and other assigned matters within the jurisdiction of the department.

Performs quasi-judicial work conducting hearings and rendering decisions involving single party or other less complex unemployment insurance appeals; explains hearing procedures and answers appellants questions; reviews determinations, reports and records prior to hearing; elicits pertinent sworn testimony from interested parties; rules on admissibility of evidence, exhibits and documents; facilitates hearing by maintaining order and adherence to proper procedure; writes decisions on cases drawing upon facts in hearing record and pertinent laws; researches, interprets and applies statutory laws, regulations and decisional law to evidence presented; rules upon and answers in writing requests for reconsideration or modification of decisions or reopening of cases; reviews cases appealed to Board of Review to ensure no further proceedings at Referee level are necessary; responds to general and technical inquiries regarding appellate procedure and Connecticut unemployment insurance law; may be assigned to perform work for Employment Security Board of Review including conducting legal research, rendering advice and drafting decisions; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of relevant state laws, rules and regulations; some knowledge of Connecticut Employment Security Division appeals process, procedures and operations; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; organizational skills; ability to research, comprehend, interpret and apply laws, regulations and legal decisions; ability to reach sound decisions based on findings of facts, evidence and applicable laws, regulations and rulings; ability to work independently; ability to utilize available technology to review case histories, research relevant laws and Board precedents and draft decisions; ability to maintain judicial demeanor; ability to handle stressful situations.

Eight (8) years of experience performing technical work in Unemployment Insurance, Job Service or Employment and Training programs.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been conducting hearings and rendering decisions on unemployment insurance.

Note: For state employees this is interpreted at the level of a Labor Department Adjudications Specialist.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling six (6) months of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
2. A Master’s degree in public administration, law or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. A law degree (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

• Experience constructing and evaluating legal arguments.
• Experience with time management including organization and follow-through while balancing and prioritizing multiple activities and responsibilities.
• Experience with legal writing.
• Experience working independently while meeting deadlines.
• Experience conducting hearings in an impartial manner.
• Experience with Unemployment Insurance law.
• Experience working in a high production environment with strict deadlines.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.