Agency Legal Consultant I

Agency

Dept of Commerce

Division

Employment Security

Job Classification Title

Agency Legal Consultant I (NS)

Position Number

Grade

LG06

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.

The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

Description of Work

As presiding Appeals Referee, this position must provide hearing parties, witnesses and authorized legal representatives a full, fair and complete hearing on contested issues and any issues that may arise in the course of the hearing process, finding facts that are relevant and applying the appropriate law to the facts they find. This position must provide professional, knowledgeable customer service to hearing parties, witnesses and legal representatives.

Position Details

Recruitment range is $69,704-$78,900.

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities / Management Preferences

• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of administrative law.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, regulations, and court decisions.
• Ability to analyze facts, evidence, and legal documents.
• Ability to express legal interpretations or conclusions of law clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public and other persons contacted in the course.

Division Responsibility

The Division of Employment Security is responsible for the administration of the unemployment insurance program in the state of North Carolina. This program is a federal-state partnership, funded by federal and state unemployment taxes, which employers pay on the wages of their employees. Benefits are paid to eligible workers who lose their job through no fault of their own and are able, available, and actively seeking work.

Purpose of organizational unit

The primary purpose of the Appeals Referee, is to preside over quasi-judicial evidentiary hearings on all manner of contested claims for UI benefits, UI fraud and requests for relief of UI benefit charges, and render decisions that, subject to further appeal to the appointed NC Board of Review or thereafter to the Courts, are the final agency decisions.

Benefits

• 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave
• North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna
• Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision
• NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans
• WeSave Employee Discounts
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Re-Entry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals: Our Agency supports the Governor's Executive Order 303 which seeks to re-employ individuals that were previously incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals are invited to apply for any vacant Commerce position(s) in which they believe they are qualified.

This position is subject to a National and International Background Investigation and/or Fingerprinting as required by applicable law.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Jurist Doctor from an appropriately accredited institution.

Special Requirement

Pursuant to NCGS 96-15(c) the job of Appeals Referee/ALC I requires an active license to practice law in North Carolina.

EEO Statement

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. Commerce does not provide employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment.

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process and throughout employment. Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax by the vacancy closing date.

Veteran Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.