Title: Administrative Law Judge
State Role Title: Hearing Legal Servcs Offcr III
Hiring Range: $90,000 - $100,000
Pay Band: 6
Agency: Virginia Employment Commission
Location: VEC CENTRAL OFFICE
Agency Website: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is seeking qualified candidates to fill two Administrative Law Judge positions. As an Administrative Law Judge, you will carry out federally mandated appeal functions that support fair and timely resolution of unemployment insurance benefit and employer contribution disputes. In this role, you will conduct impartial hearings, review case files, and issue well-reasoned decisions grounded in statutes, regulations, and established precedent while meeting quality, timeliness, and case management standards. You will also research and write clear decisions and orders, ensure accuracy in determining tax liability when applicable, complete required administrative reports, and adapt to new assignments as business needs evolve. This position plays a vital part in delivering due process and maintaining confidence in the unemployment compensation system.
Join the VEC and be part of a mission-driven agency dedicated to supporting workers, strengthening communities, and promoting economic stability across the Commonwealth. We administer Virginia’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits program with a commitment to providing customer-centered, accessible, inclusive, and impactful services to support our shared mission: lifting up Virginia, one unemployed worker at a time. The VEC is also an integral part of a historic milestone as Virginia becomes the first state in the South to offer Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). Our agency will be responsible for standing up and administering this new program, which will expand the vital support we provide for employees when they need it most.
We offer paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions); and are a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
If you’re motivated by public service, continuous improvement, and meaningful work that supports opportunity for all, the VEC is a place where your contributions matter!
Minimum Qualifications
• Knowledge of related rules and regulations governing eligibility and qualification for UI benefits, related issues, and tax law; legal research and writing methods.
• Skilled in writing decisions and/or orders, conducting administrative hearings following due process requirements and procedures, and managing caseload.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, conduct fair and impartial hearings, display appropriate judicial temperament, and communicate effectively with employees, 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.
Additional Considerations
• Knowledge of administrative or employment law and 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.
This position is located within the Central Office in Henrico, VA. This is not a remote-work position.
Submission of an online application is required for this position. The VEC does not accept applications, résumés, cover letters, etc., in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application and/or résumé are complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.
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.
Please carefully review the details of this recruitment including the location of the position and the posted salary before applying. The VEC does not provide relocation assistance, and no salary will be offered outside of the posted salary range / flat rate.
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.
Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Applicants needing accommodations should contact the Human Resource office for additional information.
A valid Virginia Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.
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.
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, résumés, 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.
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.