Administrative Law Judges (Examiners) are employed by government agencies to conduct hearings for purposes of fact finding, making recommendations, and adjudicating (giving opinions on) claims or other applications of the agency's jurisdiction, rules, and regulations.

JOB DUTIES 

Administrative Law Judges (Examiners) may:

Research laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings

Determine schedules for hearings, issue subpoenas, and counsel parties to prepare for formal hearings

Administer oaths and affirmations

Hear testimony and legal arguments

Examine exhibits to determine their validity and relevance

Question witnesses to clarify facts

Determine appropriate and permissible actions based on known facts and issue a final order or prepare a recommended order of decision

Write interpretations, recommendations, and opinions

Take appropriate action authorized by the regulating authority

Provide assistance in drafting legislation regulations, policy statements, and procedures

Perform related work such as maintaining records, compile statistical reports, and conduct correspondence as required

Equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Administrative Law Judges (Examiners) may specialize in these areas:

119.267-014 APPEALS REFEREES adjudicate cases involving social welfare, taxes, or benefit eligibility issues filed by claimants or employees.

119.107-010 HEARING OFFICERS review previously adjudicated unemployment benefit eligibility issues as members of appeal boards.

119.167-010 ADJUDICATORS give or pass opinions on claims filed by government agencies against individuals or organizations.

Administrative Law Judges may be designated according to the specific type of case they handle, such as disability insurance hearings officer or unemployment compensation hearings examiner.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Administrative Law Judges may work alone or as members of a hearings board. Inexperienced Examiners work under the supervision of experienced Examiners and agency department heads.

They usually work in clean, comfortable, air-conditioned, and well lighted offices and hearings rooms. However, Examiners conducting hearings in locations such as prisons might experience a variety of conditions.

Administrative Law Judges generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week. They may spend time doing research, studying previous rulings, and keeping up to date on new legislation affecting their work. Some might travel to conduct research, investigate cases, or attend conferences and meetings.

Administrative Law Judges may be required to hold a law degree or license to practice law. They may also belong to professional associations such as the American Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the State Bar Association. Members of associations usually pay annual fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities concerned with people and communication of data

• Activities involving business contact with people

• Activities which bring recognition or appreciation by others

• Activities which require decisiveness

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason clearly and logically

• Assimilate oral and written data quickly

• Understand/interpret/apply legal procedures, principles and laws

• Communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing

• Perform arithmetical operations quickly and accurately

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Make decisions by personal judgment and verifiable data

• Influence people's opinions, attitudes, or judgments

• Direct an entire activity or the activities of others

• Listen patiently to all aspects of a case and use tact

• Tolerate criticism from people who disagree with decisions made

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a certain money market account pays 5% interest annually and someone has $40,000 in the account, how much should be in the account after 5 years?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Tax incidence refers to the individual or business that will bear the burden of a tax. With income taxes, determining the incidence of a tax is fairly easy.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any conclusions that you may have come up with after doing some research.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the meanings of different writings and then be able to explain them to others.

Many federal and state government agencies require that Administrative Law Judges have a law degree. In Michigan , they must also be members in good standing of the Michigan State Bar. Attorneys in Michigan must be at least 18 years old, have at least 2 years of undergraduate school before law school, be a graduate of an approved law school, be of good moral character, and pass the written state bar examination. In addition, taking and passing civil service examinations may be necessary for employment in some governmental agencies. Previous work experience with the employing agency or work experience related to the area of jurisdiction might also be required.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 1900 HISTORY , 2200 MATH , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

089 LAW

Programs in Law provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to practice Law in the courts and judicial system. The study of Law is the study of the principles and regulations established by governmental legislation, custom, or judicial decision under which society functions.

Courses in Law programs will vary but may include:

The most common requirements for entering law schools are completing an appropriate undergraduate program with an acceptable grade point average, registering with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), completing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) with an acceptable score, and completing all necessary forms and applications.

090 LAW (PRE-PROFESSIONAL)

Pre-Law Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to law school. Most law schools require applicants to have a bachelor's degree, but few require a prescribed undergraduate program for admission. No single Pre-Law Program can be recommended as the best one. Concentrations in history (see program #77), English and literature (see program #59), economics (see program #49), and political science (see program #140) are frequently selected as majors by Pre-Law students.

Most Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to law schools. Prospective students should contact the law schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that prerequisites will be met.

Courses vary from school to school and between major areas of concentration.

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.

                Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Because of the educational requirements, opportunities for experience or exploration are few. Some federal state, and local agencies have summer job openings for law students. Practicing as a lawyer or judge will provide related experience.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Administrative Law Judge employer

internships

volunteer work with a Administrative Law Judge employer

community service work with an agency

Entry positions in this field usually go to law school graduates who pass the state bar exam. Direct application to state and local civil service offices is the most common way to get a job. Those interested in federal employment should submit an application to the Office of Administrative Law Judges of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Applications are available from Federal Job Information Centers in many large cities throughout the country as well as the office of Personnel Management.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

The earnings of Administrative Law Judges depend on the education and experience; area of specialization; and the type, size, and geographic location of the employing agency. Generally, Administrative Law Judges who possess law degrees and those who work for the federal government earn the highest salaries.

In 2000, the federal government employed persons with law degrees at annual starting salaries of $32,380 or $39,178, depending on their academic records and other qualifications. With extensive legal experience, law degree holders could qualify for Administrative Law Judge positions and could earned salaries ranging from $79,900 to $122,400 annually (mid 2000). The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Salaries of Administrative Law Judges vary among states. The highest paid are employed in New York . The lowest paid are those working in states in which they work only part time. The State of Michigan employed Administrative Law Judges at salaries ranging from $38,189 to $87,963 a year (mid 1998).

Administrative Law Judges usually receive paid vacations and holidays, sick leave, group insurance (usually includes health, life, and accident insurance), and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employing governmental agency.

Advancement usually consists of promotion to work requiring greater experience and responsibility with a corresponding increase in pay. Because most Examiners are licensed attorneys, a great variety of advancement opportunities may also be available to them in other fields requiring a legal background.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were approximately 5,500 Administrative Law Judges employed at the state level in the United States in 1999. In addition, the federal government employed about 1,510 as Administrative Law Judges. They are employed in a variety of settings and may work for agencies dealing with social security, welfare, occupational safety, real estate licensing, or fish and game licensing.

There were about 150 Administrative Law Judges employed in Michigan . About 121 of these were employed by the State of Michigan , while about 29 were employed by the federal government.

Employment opportunities for Administrative Law Judges are expected to increase through the year 2005. As a result of continuing growth in quasi- judicial caseloads, increased pressure to reduce delays resulting from hearing backlogs, and the continued trend toward using legal-support personnel to provide technical assistance in administration of government. Opportunities will be best for attorneys who have work experience and/or training related to the area of jurisdiction. Competition for top positions is expected to be extremely keen.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Administrative Law Judge can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development