Closing Date: 8th December, 2025

Description:

Job Summary:
Under the general direction of the Chief Judge and Associate Presiding Judges, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is responsible for conducting hearings in contested cases and appealable agency actions. The ALJ is responsible for the judicial processing of varied and complex caseload, and effectively and efficiently manages the administration of all assigned cases from initial hearing request through hearing, final order, and appeal. Litigate cases that are often contested. The ALJ acts in accordance with the Arizona Rules of Professional Responsibility as well as maintain admission and good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:
Fairly and impartially preside over contested hearings; enforce appropriate courtroom decorum; promptly rule on motions and objections raised at hearing; administer oaths, question witnesses, and examine evidence; rule on the admissibility of evidence and testimony; issue appropriate oral decisions and rulings during hearings.

Actively manage all assigned cases in your docket to ensure all matters progress in a timely manner; review and rule on pending 25 motions within required time frames; make final determinations regarding jurisdiction and timeliness; rule on pre-hearing motions.

Write sufficiently detailed and legally supported written decisions; conduct summary reviews in accordance with Arizona law; conduct legal research.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of:

Arizona Revised Statutes, with more advanced knowledge of Titles 13 and 28
Arizona Administrative Code sections applicable to EHO administrative hearings, and the Arizona Rules of Professional Responsibility
Rules of Evidence
Administrative hearing procedures
LEAN or other recognized process improvement system
Google Workspace
The position requires substantial litigation and courtroom experience

Skill in:

Maintain control of all hearings
Communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing
Effectively explain complex legal situations and rulings to hearing participants
Independently edit written work product to ensure written decisions and orders are sufficiently detailed but not overly verbose.

Ability to:

Independently manage a full docket of cases of varying complexity with different legal requirements and deadlines
Handle detailed and complex legal work with accuracy and speed
Quickly and rule on objections during hearings
Respond to the public with tact, diplomacy, and timely information
Understand, accurately interpret, and appropriately apply relevant state and federal legal requirements
Analyze facts and evidence and draw logical conclusions
Apply legal principles and precedent; preside over hearing proceedings
Remain fair and impartial when evaluating evidence
Maintain objective and reasoned demeanor
Plan and organize work assignments
React professionally and adjust appropriately to changing circumstances

Selective Preference(s):
At least five years of litigation experience; significant legal writing experience; experience as a judge, magistrate, administrative law judge, or hearing officer.

Pre-Employment Requirements:
This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

Requires possession of, and ability to maintain, a current, valid license to practice law in the State of Arizona.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:
The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here (https://hr.az.gov/about/resources/family-leave-expansion). For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page (https://benefitoptions.az.gov/jobseekers)

Retirement:
Mandatory participation in the Arizona Retirement System (ASRS) is required.

Contact Us:
For questions about this career opportunity, please contact ADOT Human Resources Recruitment via email at srecruitment@azdot.gov or phone call at (602) 712-8188 option 2.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 712-8188 option 3. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. ADOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.