Human Services Judge Jobs

When all employees are embraced, respected and heard, we will build a collaborative, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist culture where everyone thrives.

Working Title: Human Services Judge
Job Class: Human Services Judge
Agency: Human Services Dept

• Date Posted: 05/11/2023
• Division/Unit: DHS-Central Office / Human Services Judges-2
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Work Shift/Work Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Closing Date: 5/31/2023
• Classified Status: Classified
• Salary Range: $34.45 - $51.25 / hourly; $71,931 - $107,010 / annually
• Travel Required: Yes (5%, occasional travel)
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

*This vacancy may be used to fill multiple vacancies.*

As a Human Services Judge you will conduct administrative fair hearings for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, MNsure Board and the Minnesota Departments of Health and Education. After conducting an evidentiary hearing, you will review the evidence and pertinent federal and state law and prepare an independent recommended order to decide the appeal. The recommended order is reviewed by the respective agency’s Commissioner’s designee who issues the final decision.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct evidentiary hearings to develop a complete record.
• Comply with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and policies in order to effectively carry out the requirements of this position and the Agency’s mission, values, and goals.
• Make findings of fact and conclusions of law based on an analysis of the complete record and the laws that apply to the disputed issues.
• Manage a high-volume caseload while ensuring that appeals assigned to you are resolved timely, efficiently, and in a manner that protects the rights of the parties.

Minimum Qualifications

Four years of advanced professional legal experience in civil, criminal, or administrative hearings or policy analysis within an agency or organization. Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Ability to exhibit judicial temperament to conduct hearings in adversarial situations
• Ability to work independently, prioritize workload, and allocate time in an efficient manner
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
• Excellent legal research and analysis skills
• Must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota and be in active status, an inactive resident, retired, on disabled status, or on retired senior status
• Ability to competently use computer, case management system, and recording devices
• Ability to identify legal issues within a complex set of factual circumstances
• Strong written and oral communication skills sufficient to communicate with parties and write clear, concise recommended orders that are easily understood by all parties
• Ability to work respectfully with persons of diverse backgrounds, including those with different cultural backgrounds; people in crisis; people in poverty; people with physical disabilities; people with mental illness; and non-English speakers

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience representing clients in administrative hearings
• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures
• Experience making credibility determinations
• Professional experience representing public assistance recipients or government agencies in legal proceedings.
• Professional experience conducting evidentiary hearings as an administrative law judge, workers' compensation judge, unemployment insurance judge or equivalent experience in public sector hearings environment

Additional Requirements

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS - The Department of Human Services will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Amylynne Hermanek at [email protected].

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Erika Mejia at [email protected].

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Human Services’ ADA Coordinator at 651-431-4945 or [email protected] for assistance.

About Human Services Dept

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The Minnesota Department of Human Services impacts the lives of 1.7 million people every year, helping them meet their basic needs so they can achieve their highest potential.

Why Work for Us

Work in a division committed to fairly reviewing, upon request, agency determinations to ensure they conform to the individual’s proper legal entitlement. We do this by holding evidentiary hearings in which we discern the pertinent facts, and then apply the applicable law to those facts to reach decisions. In doing these tasks, we keep in mind the following values: 1) We judge claims and not people; 2) We make decisions promptly; 3) We make decisions based on the law as it is and not as we might think it should be; and 4) We respect and honor the different backgrounds and experiences of participants in appeals.

Our division consists of approximately 30 human service judges, three chief human service judges, an appeals administrator and deputy appeals administrator, a director, six paralegals, and nine support staff. We receive between approximately 12 to 14,000 program appeals annually.

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule
• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Training and professional development
• Public pension plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Wellness programs and resources
• Paid parental leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Dependent care spending account
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] and indicate what assistance is needed.