Administrative Law Judge (Public Service Administrator, Opt.8L)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform the job duties of Administrative Law Judge in the Division of Administrative Hearing Review. The Division of Administrative Review is the Department of Public Health's administrative hearing unit. It is responsible for presiding over and hearing any case that may arise under the Department's jurisdiction. Each year, the Division's administrative law judges handle over 1,200 cases. In many of these cases, one of the parties will be unrepresented by an attorney. Such cases present particular challenges to ALJs, who must try to balance the need to ensure a fair outcome with the principle that unrepresented parties are still required to conduct themselves as if they were practicing attorneys. Ultimately, regardless of the types of cases or the parties that come before them, ALJs have one central responsibility, namely to ensure that they have made a complete record of the proceedings before them, and that they have made clear and concise findings of fact and conclusions of law which, in turn, will support their ultimate recommendation for the resolution of the case.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position)
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

*These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

• As Administrative Law Judge, conducts full evidentiary hearings including but not limited to the Nursing Home Care Act and the multitude of other statutes the Department is mandated to enforce including conducting complex hearings, considers witness testimony, rules on motions and objections, and maintains order, decorum and control, allowing both a full and complete hearing while moving the process to a close.
• Completes all procedural matters involved in the hearing process including preparing notices; conducting status conferences; reviewing, researching, ruling on and preparing motion orders; maintains and updates case docket and files orders by decision deadlines; prepares recommended orders with findings of facts and conclusions of law for review by the Director/Designee; sends out Certified Final Orders once they are signed by the Director/Designee.
• Researches legal issues in preparation of hearings and as the result of issues presented at hearing.
• Conducts Smoke Free Illinois hearings in the counties where the alleged violations occurred.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college.
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law.
• Requires a license to practice law in Illinois.

Specialized Skills

• Requires three (3) years of significant administrative law judge experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4) years of significant administrative law judge experience.
• Working knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures/proceedings, rules of evidence, common law provisions of State and Federal laws related to administrative and regulatory functions.
• Four (4) years of experience conducting evidentiary hearings.
• Four (4) years of experience completing procedural matters involved in the hearing process.
• Four (4) years of experience researching legal issues in preparation of hearings.
• Four (4) years of experience drafting well written and extremely accurate documents.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires appropriate, valid Drivers License.
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

*The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.