I. PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Commission seeks to contract with a part-time Hearing Officer. In consultation with the General Counsel, the Hearing Officer will implement, manage and conduct administrative hearings arising from licensing and enforcement actions.
II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Represent the Commission as the Hearing Officer responsible for its administrative hearings process.Manage all phases of the process; maintain case files, establish procedural schedules, conduct administrative hearings, and close case files.Review complaints and other pleadings.Conduct independent and thorough research and decide on substantive and procedural legal issues.Develop administrative records.Make oral rulings, including on motions.Draft recommended orders, memoranda and decisions for Commission consideration.Work with staff to close case files, which may include compiling administrative records for judicial review.Recommend refinements of the administrative hearings process.Develop and maintain knowledge of the Commission’s statutes, regulations and policies and other applicable areas of administrative law.III. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Juris Doctor from an accredited law program.Member of the Massachusetts Bar or another state bar in good standing.Minimum four-year experience practicing law in the public sector, in private practice, or in a nonprofit or corporate legal department.Experience or expertise in administrative law, especially as it pertains to licensing and enforcement actions.Experience or familiarity with laws governing adult- or medical – use marijuana or an interest in developing an expertise in this emerging area of the law.I. PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Commission seeks to contract with a part-time Hearing Officer. In consultation with the General Counsel, the Hearing Officer will implement, manage and conduct administrative hearings arising from licensing and enforcement actions.
II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Represent the Commission as the Hearing Officer responsible for its administrative hearings process.Manage all phases of the process; maintain case files, establish procedural schedules, conduct administrative hearings, and close case files.Review complaints and other pleadings.Conduct independent and thorough research and decide on substantive and procedural legal issues.Develop administrative records.Make oral rulings, including on motions.Draft recommended orders, memoranda and decisions for Commission consideration.Work with staff to close case files, which may include compiling administrative records for judicial review.Recommend refinements of the administrative hearings process.Develop and maintain knowledge of the Commission’s statutes, regulations and policies and other applicable areas of administrative law.III. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Juris Doctor from an accredited law program.Member of the Massachusetts Bar or another state bar in good standing.Minimum four-year experience practicing law in the public sector, in private practice, or in a nonprofit or corporate legal department.Experience or expertise in administrative law, especially as it pertains to licensing and enforcement actions.Experience or familiarity with laws governing adult- or medical – use marijuana or an interest in developing an expertise in this emerging area of the law.KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Knowledge of state laws pertaining to the conduct of administrative hearings officers, including state ethics laws.Experience or expertise in conducting administrative hearings or judicial trials.Experience of familiarity with state agencies, including commissions.Ability to possess and exercise good judgment in addressing problems and making decisions.Ability to act in a fair, impartial and unbiased manner.Ability to exercise discretion in handling of confidential and sensitive information.Experience or expertise in case management.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Ability to draft clear and concise legal decisions.Outstanding organizational skills, which includes the ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects under time constraints and with available resources.Ability to maintain complete and accurate records.Ability to work independently and productively in an evolving environment.Must demonstrate a proficiency with computers and the MS Office Suite.Maintain the highest standards of personal, professional and ethical conduct and support the Commission’s goals for diversity and cultural awareness.Rate: $75.00 - $125.00/hr. (no-benefits)
Additional Information:
PLEASE NOTE THAT PURSUANT TO MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAW, CONTRACTED EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PAID FOR THE ELEVEN SCHEDULED HOLIDAYS, DO NOT RECEIVE ANY PAID, VACATION, PERSONAL LEAVE BENEFITS, OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OR SOCIAL SECURITY. AS A STATE CONTRACTED EMPLOYEE, YOU MUST PARTICIPATE IN DIRECT DEPOSIT AND CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS STATE ALTERNATE RETIREMENT PLAN, ("OBRA PLAN").
Applications received by no later than August 13, 2025 will be given priority.
Commitment to Diversity:
The Commission is committed to building a diverse staff across its entire agency and at all levels. The Commission is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Notice of Required Background Check – Including Tax Compliance:
The Commission requires a background check on all prospective employees as a condition of employment.
Candidates should be aware of this requirement but should also know that such background check is not initiated until:
1. A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview, and
2. The candidate has signed the Background Check Authorization Form and related releases.
This background check includes a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, Federal IRS and Department of Revenue state tax compliance on all prospective employees as a condition of their employment.
Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified. Individuals other than those references provided by a candidate may be contacted in the course of completing a full background and qualification check.
Those candidates invited to interview will be contacted by the Commission. Unfortunately, due to the anticipated high volume of applicants for this vacancy, we are unable to provide status updates to specific individuals.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Knowledge of state laws pertaining to the conduct of administrative hearings officers, including state ethics laws.Experience or expertise in conducting administrative hearings or judicial trials.Experience of familiarity with state agencies, including commissions.Ability to possess and exercise good judgment in addressing problems and making decisions.Ability to act in a fair, impartial and unbiased manner.Ability to exercise discretion in handling of confidential and sensitive information.Experience or expertise in case management.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Ability to draft clear and concise legal decisions.Outstanding organizational skills, which includes the ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects under time constraints and with available resources.Ability to maintain complete and accurate records.Ability to work independently and productively in an evolving environment.Must demonstrate a proficiency with computers and the MS Office Suite.Maintain the highest standards of personal, professional and ethical conduct and support the Commission’s goals for diversity and cultural awareness.Rate: $75.00 - $125.00/hr. (no-benefits)
Additional Information:
PLEASE NOTE THAT PURSUANT TO MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAW, CONTRACTED EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PAID FOR THE ELEVEN SCHEDULED HOLIDAYS, DO NOT RECEIVE ANY PAID, VACATION, PERSONAL LEAVE BENEFITS, OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OR SOCIAL SECURITY. AS A STATE CONTRACTED EMPLOYEE, YOU MUST PARTICIPATE IN DIRECT DEPOSIT AND CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS STATE ALTERNATE RETIREMENT PLAN, ("OBRA PLAN").
Applications received by no later than August 13, 2025 will be given priority.
Commitment to Diversity:
The Commission is committed to building a diverse staff across its entire agency and at all levels. The Commission is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Notice of Required Background Check – Including Tax Compliance:
The Commission requires a background check on all prospective employees as a condition of employment.
Candidates should be aware of this requirement but should also know that such background check is not initiated until:
1. A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview, and
2. The candidate has signed the Background Check Authorization Form and related releases.
This background check includes a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, Federal IRS and Department of Revenue state tax compliance on all prospective employees as a condition of their employment.
Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified. Individuals other than those references provided by a candidate may be contacted in the course of completing a full background and qualification check.
Those candidates invited to interview will be contacted by the Commission. Unfortunately, due to the anticipated high volume of applicants for this vacancy, we are unable to provide status updates to specific individuals.