Administrative Law Judge (Licensing and Benefits)

Licensure: Applicants must be licensed, authorized and eligible to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the United States Constitution throughout the selection process. Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of “active” status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining “active” status to practice law. Being “in good standing” is acceptable in lieu of “active” status in States where the licensing authority considers “good standing” as having a current license to practice law. Experience: Applicants must have a full seven (7) years of experience as a licensed attorney preparing for, participating in, and/or reviewing formal hearings or trials involving litigation and/or administrative law at the Federal, State or local level. Cases must have been conducted on the record under procedures at least as formal as those prescribed by sections 553 through 559 of Title 5, U.S.C. Qualifying litigation experience involves cases in which a complaint was filed with a court, or a charging document (e.g., indictment or information) was issued by a court, a grand jury, or appropriate military authority, and includes: participating in settlement or plea negotiations in advance of trial; preparing for trial and/or trying of cases; preparing opinions; hearing cases; participating in or conducting arbitration, mediation, or other alternative dispute resolution approved by the court; or participating in appeals related to the types of cases above. Qualifying administrative law experience involves cases before a governmental administrative body and includes: participating in settlement negotiations in advance of hearing cases; preparing for hearing and/or participating in hearings; preparing opinions; hearing cases; participating in or conducting arbitration, mediation, or other alternative dispute resolution approved by the administrative body; or participating in appeals related to the types of cases above. Non-qualifying Experience Experience involving cases with no formal hearing procedure and uncontested cases involving misdemeanors, probate, domestic relations, or tort matters is not qualifying.
These positions are located in the Office of Hearings Operations, Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, Hearing Offices nationwide. The incumbent is subordinate to and accountable to the direction and supervision of the Commissioner of Social Security. Under the direction of the Hearing Office Chief ALJ, the incumbent holds hearings and makes and issues decisions on appeals from determinations on claims filed under Titles II, VIII, and XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended.