ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, ASSISTANT PRESIDING

Job Summary :

Under the general direction of the Chief Judge, the Assistant Presiding Administrative Law Judge (APALJ) is responsible for the daily management and operational oversight of the Executive Hearing Office Administrative Law Judges.

The APALJ monitors the overall work quality and operational effectiveness of the administrative law judges and ensures judicial operations comply with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

As a key member of the Executive Hearing Office senior management team, this position contributes to the development of EHO strategic initiatives.

This role is responsible for ensuring that operations align with EHO and agency strategic priorities. The APALJ leads major projects and oversees EHO programs governing judicial processes, while working with key internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the EHO and at the direction of the Chief Judge.

The EHO APALJ works directly for the Chief Judge and with the EHO Administrator to ensure the effective function of EHO judicial operations.

Model ADOT values through leading, coaching and developing problem solvers to implement and sustain a continuous improvement culture.

Leaders are accountable, transparent, and communicative as they foster an inclusive, diverse, and safe environment.

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 :

Manages all subordinate judicial operations to ensure compliance with quality and timeliness standards and legal requirements;

supervises, trains, and continually develops judges. Audits and evaluates personnel, judicial operations, initiatives, and programs to known performance standards.

Presides over cases as assigned.

Administers subordinate EHO judicial operations in alignment with the EHO strategic plan and objectives as established by the Chief Judge;

Liaisons with other ADOT divisions, state and local agencies, courts, law enforcement, and attorney stakeholders to further the EHO mission.

Contributes to the long term strategic plan.

Works to identify new and emerging trends that will impact services and resource allocation; works to develop and implement new and innovative programs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of EHO processes and personnel.

Create and deploy a succession plan.

Champions the Continuous Improvement efforts within the EHO to ensure the deployment plan and training is provided to all judicial personnel;

creates and implements strategies for employee engagement and recognition. Engages stakeholders in change initiatives, monitoring the impact of those changes on stakeholders.

Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs) :

Knowledge :

• 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
• Business and personnel management in a legal / hearing office environment
• Audit and program compliance
• Strategic planning
• Training and employee development best practices
• LEAN or other recognized process improvement systems

Skill :

• Conducting complex administrative hearings, managing cases, and case processing
• Communicate effectively and tactfully with a diverse group of stakeholders and members of the general public
• Effective training, coaching and evaluation of subordinate administrative law judges
• Analyze diverse problems and develop effective solutions
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Advanced legal writing skills, including effective editing of others' work
• Advanced legal research skills
• Working effectively with automated office and case management systems
• Building consensus among internal and external stakeholders
• Operational management
• Statistical analysis
• Developing and refining metrics and measurement systems.

Ability :

• Lead, manage, and monitor programs and judges
• Implement and lead change initiatives
• Critically analyze and visually represent information and data
• Develop recommendations for improvement using gathered data
• Recommend and implement effective controls to ensure the integrity of work flow, processes, and work product
• Initiate and manage cultural change to ensure maximum organizational effectiveness
• Work on highly variable assignments
• Understand, interpret, and apply relevant state and federal legal requirements to EHO processes and procedures
• Lead and motivate staff;
• Reason deductively and logically
• Maintain a sense of authority and fairness
• React appropriately and adapt effectively to changing circumstances
• Ability to coach and develop employees, including continuous improvement practices and principles.

Selective Preference(s) :

Prior supervisory or management experience in a court, hearing office, law office or other legal setting; at least five years of litigation 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.) ).

Requires possession of as well as the ability to maintain a current and 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 . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our

Retirement :

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