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Career Details : Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

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Description

Conduct hearings to decide or recommend decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters and prepare decisions. Determine penalties or the existence and the amount of liability, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims, or compromise settlements.

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Tasks

  • Arranges and conducts hearings to obtain information and evidence relative to disposition of claim.
  • Analyzes evidence and applicable law, regulations, policy, and precedent decisions to determine conclusions.
  • Questions witnesses to obtain information.
  • Rules on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
  • Participates in court proceedings.
  • Obtains additional information to clarify evidence.
  • Issues subpoenas and administers oaths to prepare for formal hearing.
  • Conducts studies of appeals procedures in field agencies to ensure adherence to legal requirements and to facilitate determination of cases.
  • Notifies claimant of denied claim and appeal rights.
  • Authorizes payment of valid claims.
  • Researches laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings.
  • Reviews and evaluates data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, and physician or employer records.
  • Interviews or corresponds with claimants or agents to elicit information.
  • Prepares written opinions and decisions.
  • Counsels parties and recommends acceptance or rejection of compromise settlement offers.
  • Determines existence and amount of liability, according to law, administrative and judicial precedents, and evidence.

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    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Objective or Subjective Information
    • Indoors

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