Conducts hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determines liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommends the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security cluster Legal Services pathway.

A person in this career:

• Prepares written opinions and decisions.
• Monitors and directs the activities of trials and hearings to ensure that they are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.
• Determines existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
• Researches and analyzes laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
• Conducts hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
• Reviews and evaluates data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.
• Recommends the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.
• Rules on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
• Confers with individuals or organizations involved in cases to obtain relevant information.
• Issues subpoenas and administers oaths in preparation for formal hearings.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel