Jobs in this family are responsible for conducting administrative hearings involving employers, unemployment claimants, and program beneficiaries.

Jobs and Descriptions

Hearings Officer I

First-level Hearings Officer position responsible for conducting adjudicatory or administrative hearings requiring less expertise or involving less complex matters. Accountable for establishing hearing dates and issuing subpoenas, reviewing facts and testimony presented in hearings, conducting pre-hearing conferences. Assists in determining the facts surrounding cases, makes determinations, researches and composes the documents rendering the recommendation or decision for each hearing, rules on objections to ensure a just and impartial hearing, and explains the issues and applicable laws to all parties involved. Ensures time standards are met.

Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 2-4 years of experience working in the field assigned as a hearings officer.

OCCU: 9565
Pay Grade: MS08

Hearings Officer II

Second-level Hearings Officer position responsible for independently conducting adjudicatory or administrative hearings. Accountable for reviewing testimony, establishing hearing dates and issuing subpoenas, conferring on complex cases, conducting eligibility hearings, researching, composing, and signing documents rendering the decision or recommendation for each hearing, ruling on motions and objections to ensure a just and impartial hearing, and explaining the issues and applicable laws to all parties involved. Confers with supervisor on complex cases. Ensures time standards are met.

Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 4-6 years of experience working in the field assigned as a hearings officer.

OCCU: 9566
Pay Grade: MS10

Hearings Officer III

Third-level Hearings Officer with substantial expertise and high-level responsibility who conducts adjudicatory or administrative hearings. Accountable for establishing hearing dates and issuing subpoenas, conducting pre-hearing conferences, reviewing all testimony presented in hearings, and determining facts surrounding alleged violations of laws or rule infractions or complex eligibility cases. Rules on motions and objections to ensure a just and impartial hearing and explains the issues and applicable laws to all parties involved.  May also serve as Board of Tax Appeals Associate Member.

Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 6+ years of experience working in the field assigned as a hearings officer. If hired as a Tax Appeals Board Member, employee must be a qualified elector and possess a special knowledge of taxation and revenue in the State of Mississippi.

OCCU: 9567
Pay Grade: MS12

Hearings Officer Team Lead

Supervisory Hearings Officer accountable for overseeing and coordinating quasi-judicial functions concerning the handling of hearings or appeals. Advises agency officials concerning the application state laws to factual situations. Develops policies and procedures and recommends improvements to administrative hearings procedures. Reviews opinions for lower-level hearings officers. Employee supervision at this level includes hire recommendations; training; work planning, assignments, and review; and performance assessment, coaching, and progressive discipline. Supervision at this level also requires these employees to have the knowledge and skills to perform and review the work overseen. May also serve as Board of Tax Appeals Chairman.

Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 8+ years of experience and working in the field assigned as a hearings officer. If hired as a Tax Appeals Board Member, employee must be a qualified elector and possess a special knowledge of taxation and revenue in the State of Mississippi.

OCCU: 9568
Pay Grade: MS14