Administrative Law Judge Senior

Closing Date: 26th May, 2026

Description:

Job Duties:
The Administrative Law Judge Senior plays a pivotal role in safeguarding due process and delivering fair, impartial adjudication within the Virginia Employment Commission's Commission Appeals Unit. This position leads federally mandated unemployment insurance appeals, conducting hearings, researching complex legal issues, and issuing well‑reasoned decisions rooted in statute, regulation, and precedent. Beyond its core adjudicative responsibilities, the role strengthens the agency's mission by supporting quality control, refining training and operational processes, and serving as a trusted subject‑matter expert on UI law and procedure. In the absence of the ALJ Supervisor, the ALJ Senior ensures operational continuity by overseeing staff, providing guidance, and proactively addressing emerging risks or workflow challenges—all while upholding the highest standards of judicial temperament, professionalism, and customer service.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience conducting administrative hearings and preparing and proofing case decisions.
• Knowledge of related rules and regulations governing eligibility and qualification for UI benefits, related issues, and tax law; legal research and writing methods.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and oral and written communication, group facilitation, team building, and computer skills (including MS Office Professional or related software).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct fair and impartial hearings; display appropriate judicial temperament; and communicates effectively with agency employees, agency customers and their representatives, agents or attorneys, the agency's counsel, the general public, members of the business community and other federal, state or local government employees.
• Experience writing decisions and/or orders, conducting administrative hearings following due process requirements and procedures, and managing caseload.
• Ability to supervise staff and direct workflow to maintain continuity of operations in the absence of the ALJ Supervisor.
• Must complete Statement of Economic Interests documentation and training.

Additional Considerations:

• Comprehensive knowledge of administrative or employment law, and of statutory and regulatory provisions governing unemployment compensation and relevant court cases (e.g. Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act).
• Experience conducting administrative hearings and issuing decisions related to UI benefits. License to practice law especially if in Virginia.

Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Virginia Employment Commission is committed to upholding our values in our employment opportunities across the Commonwealth to people from all backgrounds, including all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program, and a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

• The selected candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive background check including an FBI fingerprint background investigation and an Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud background check.
• Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and résumés will not be accepted.
• Applications are not accepted after the recruitment closing date.
• Please carefully review the details of this recruitment including the location of the position and the posted salary before applying. VEC does not provide relocation assistance, and no salary will be offered outside of the posted salary range / flat rate.
• Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application (and/or resume). You must ensure your application/resume includes the scope of your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as it relates to the position you are applying for. Information not stated will not be assumed.
• This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.
• For the status of your application and this position, please refer to your PageUp / Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via email or telephone.
• Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Applicants needing accommodations should contact the Human Resource office for additional information.

The VEC does not provide sponsorship; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work in the US.

Notice: VEC will record information from each new employee's Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Contact Information
Name: VEC Human Resources / Recruitment
Phone: For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via phone.
Email: Careers@vec.virginia.gov for recruitment related questions. Emailed applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be accepted. For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account.

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