ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

Job Responsibilities

Under administrative direction of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, monitors the adjudication of complaints issued under the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services from the date of issuance until completion of an order recommending final disposition thereof to the Director; composes formal written recommendations for the Director’s action; prepares recommended orders and decisions; guides appeal through pre-hearing phases; rules upon contested motions; convenes pre-hearing conferences in order to clarify issues and/or facilitate settlement; presides at formal administrative hearings throughout the state of Illinois; prepares complete administrative records in cases appealed to the Circuit Court on administrative review in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

• Monitors the adjudication of complaints issued under the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services from the date of issuance until completion of an order recommending final disposition thereof to the Director; composes formal written recommendations for the Director’s action; reviews tapes and transcripts, documentary evidence, and post hearing briefs in order to prepare recommendations for the Director; prepares recommended orders and decisions, setting forth specific findings of fact, conclusions of law, and analysis of the relevant statutes, regulations, and court decisions; identifies issues on appeal and parties entitled to notice.
• Guides the appeal through pre-hearing phases; rules upon contested motions; convenes pre-hearing conferences in order to clarify issues and/or facilitate settlement; monitors the activities of the parties to ensure steady progress to hearing.
• Presides at formal administrative hearings convened throughout the state of Illinois; applies the Administrative Procedure Act, Children and Family Services Act, Child Care Act, Abused and Neglected Child Act, and related statutes and rules and regulations of the Department of Children and Family Services; applies the appropriate Rules of Evidence in passing on admissibility of evidence; supplements interrogation as needed to ensure a complete record; drives or travels to various locations in the performance of duties.

(Job Responsibilities continued)

• Prepares complete administrative records in cases appealed to the Circuit Court on administrative review in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act; prepares statistical and substantive reports on workflow and case status.
• On a regular basis, reviews developments in the relevant law, both state and federal, and conducts legal research into more complex issues.
• Provides input to the Chief Administrative Law Judge in formulating and reviewing rules and procedures pertaining to the Administrative Hearings Unit.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Requires two years professional experience in the practice of law.
• Requires thorough knowledge of common law and of state and federal laws, particularly relating to administrative and regulatory functions.
• Requires extensive knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedure and of the rules of evidence, hearings, and trial procedures.
• Requires extensive knowledge in the field of law with which primarily concerned.
• Requires ability to plan, lay out, and review work relating to complicated legal problems.
• Requires ability to maintain satisfactory working relationship with superiors, other attorneys, employees, and the general public.
• Requires litigation skills.
• Requires skill and ability in analyzing, appraising, and organizing facts, evidence, and precedents concerned in difficult and complex cases and in presenting such material in clear and logical form for oral or written presentation, as briefs, orders, reports, or decisions.
• Requires ability to exercise sound judgment in appraising and evaluating problems of a procedural nature. 

Employment Conditions

• Requires possession of a valid appropriate driver's license or an ability to travel.

Education Degree

• Requires graduation from a recognized law school.
• Requires the possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.