BSEA Hearing Officer

Official Title: Hearing Officer - Counsel II
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Malden-14 Summer Street
Job: Legal Services
Agency: Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA)
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Number of Openings: 1

AGENCY OVERVIEW:

The Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA) is an independent adjudicatory agency within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that conducts impartial, due process hearings for state administrative agencies. DALA provides a neutral forum for individuals and entities exercising their statutory right to appeal decisions made by other Massachusetts state agencies. Through its quasi-judicial functions, DALA ensures fairness, transparency, and consistency in administrative decision-making, safeguarding the procedural rights of appellants while supporting agencies in the lawful administration of their programs.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW & POSITION SUMMARY:

The Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA) conducts adjudicatory hearings for other Massachusetts state agencies. Within DALA, the Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) provides a comprehensive range of dispute resolution services related to eligibility, evaluation, placement, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), special education services, and procedural protections for students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law.

BSEA services include mediations, due process hearings, settlement conferences, and facilitation of IEP team meetings. Parties to these proceedings may include parents, students, school districts, private schools, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and other state agencies.

The BSEA Hearing Officer position requires independence, sound judgment, strong organizational and analytical skills, legal research and writing proficiency, and the ability to maintain neutrality and professional demeanor in often highly emotional disputes. The Hearing Officer is a visible representative of the Commonwealth, entrusted with ensuring all parties a fair, impartial, and timely resolution of their disputes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Manage a full caseload of due process hearing requests assigned by the Bureau Director.

· Oversee pre-hearing matters and schedule adjudicatory hearings in compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations.

· Conduct hearings, rule on motions, manage proceedings, and ensure hearings are conducted fairly, impartially, and efficiently.

· Issue substantive and procedural orders, including written decisions with detailed findings of fact supported by the hearing record and correct application of relevant state and federal law.

· Rule on post-hearing compliance motions.

· Report statistical data relating to caseload and case management.

· Conduct settlement conferences as directed by the BSEA Director.

· Participate in training sessions for constituent groups and the legal community.

· Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director.

· Maintain compliance with ethical standards of the Bar, agency, and Commonwealth.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Administrative hearing and/or civil litigation trial experience preferred.

· Experience in special education law is preferred.

· Excellent legal writing ability, demonstrated through a sample legal brief or memorandum.

· Facility in performing legal research using automated research tools.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

· Strong analytical and legal reasoning skills.

· Ability to conduct hearings in a fair, impartial, and efficient manner.

· Superior written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to work independently and manage a high-volume caseload under time constraints.

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and the ability to produce professional written decisions with limited administrative assistance.