Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

What the job really is

Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.

At a glance

• Sector: Legal
• O*NET-SOC code: 23-1021
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
• Monitor and direct the activities of trials and hearings to ensure that they are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.
• Prepare written opinions and decisions.
• Authorize payment of valid claims and determine method of payment.
• Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
• Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
• Review and evaluate data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.
• Recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.
• Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
• Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.
• Confer with individuals or organizations involved in cases to obtain relevant information.
• Issue subpoenas and administer oaths in preparation for formal hearings.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Computer laser printers, Courtroom microphones, Courtroom scheduling software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
• Judicial Law Clerks
• Lawyers
• Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
• Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
• Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
• Labor Relations Specialists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.