APPEAL MANAGER/UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION 21373

7/1/90 A

This is the third and managerial class which is responsible for managing the Virginia Employment Commission lower authority, first-level unemployment compensation appeal administrative hearing program. Work involves supervising a staff of Unemployment Compensation Appeal Officers and office services positions, developing and revising hearing policies and procedures and ensuring that the hearing program functions in accordance to statutory provisions, agency rules and regulations governing eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits and related programs. This class is distinguished from the Appeal Officer/Unemployment Compensation class by the latter's responsibility for conducting the agency's first-level appeal administrative hearings as opposed to managing administrative hearings.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty which requires overseeing the lower authority appeal hearing program to ensure quality and efficiency of work performed, and consistency in application of lower authority appeal provisions of the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act. The work involves supervising the receipt, logging and assignment of appeals to Appeal Officers and ensuring cases are heard within mandated time limits; reviewing determinations prepared to ensure consistency and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Duties also include training and hiring division staff and completing performance evaluations. Observes the performance of Appeal Officers during hearings. Assures that the agency's lower authority appeal hearing program functions according to pertinent laws and regulations, develops policies and procedures for the program, maintains records and statistics, and recommends changes in statutory requirements or agency policies and procedures based on hearing issues and outcomes. Conducts administrative hearings for a limited number of cases.

Supervision Given: Provides direction to a staff of Appeal Officers/Unemployment Compensation responsible for conducting first-level appeal administrative hearings statewide. Positions also supervise clerical positions supporting hearing office operations.

Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of an Unemployment Compensation Chief. Independently makes decisions necessary to manage and direct the hearing office staff.

Scope: Administers Virginia Employment Commission's statewide lower authority appeal hearing program which involves overseeing a staff of Unemployment Compensation Appeal Officers responsible for first-level appeal determinations which overturn or uphold initial determinations for unemployment benefits and related programs.

Impact of Actions: Improper oversight of the hearing program may result in incorrect or inconsistent determinations made by Appeal Officers/Unemployment Commission which could pose financial problems for the claimants or businesses and threaten the integrity of the program.

Personal Contacts: Frequent contacts with agency management, attorneys, appellants, witnesses, local office employees, the general public and members of the business community to obtain or provide information and advice, issue subpoenas and schedule hearings.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act and related rules and regulations governing eligibility. Considerable knowledge of due process standards. Working knowledge of managerial principles and practices.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to advise, train and direct a professional staff; to analyze case reports and determine whether laws and regulations have been properly applied; to develop policies and procedures; to conduct administrative hearings; to ascertain and evaluate facts; to read, explain and apply related laws and agency regulations; to compile and organize hearing proceedings into written format; to prepare hearing decisions; to work with agency management attorneys and the public; and to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in business, public administration, law or related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Extensive experience as a hearing officer, or some managerial or supervisory experience which included interpretation of statutes and regulations.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledges and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised as a result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program and replaces the Unemployment Compensation Chief Hearings Officer class, effective July 1990.