Title: Appeals Examiner (Remote)

State Role Title: Hearing Legal Servcs Offcr II

Hiring Range: $75,000 - $85,000 / $82,500 - $93,500 for NOVA residents*

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Virginia Employment Commission

Location: TELEWORK LOCATION STATEWIDE

Agency Website: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is seeking a detail-oriented Appeals Examiner who will conduct administrative hearings and issue well-supported decisions for unemployment insurance appeals, state set‑off debt collection matters, labor disputes, disaster relief cases, and other programs authorized by federal and state law. This role reviews case materials, researches applicable laws and regulations, leads fair and impartial hearings, administers oaths, determines when witnesses or subpoenas are needed, rules on evidence, and ensures an accurate record of testimony. It also involves issuing timely written decisions, managing caseloads, completing required administrative reports, communicating respectfully and professionally with customers and stakeholders, and supporting agency efforts to reduce improper payments.

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

• Experience applying the rules and regulations governing eligibility and qualification for benefits.
• Proficiency with administrative law procedures for conducting hearings, due process rights, and legal research methodology and terminology.
• Strong analytical, decision making, and a strong command of oral and written communication.
• Experience with managing a substantial caseload, conducting fair hearings and controlling the process.
• Experience ascertaining and evaluating facts, as well as applying related laws and regulations.
• Skilled in analyzing information, organizing facts and testimony into written decisions, proofreading, identifying problems, and resolving issues.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work independently, as well as working effectively with the public, members of the business community, co-workers, and management.

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory provisions governing unemployment compensation (e.g. Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act).
• Experience interpreting relevant laws, rules and regulations and conducting UI administrative hearings.
• Experience conducting administrative hearings and preparing case decisions; and/or making legal decisions.

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 is a remote position and qualifies for a 10% Northern Virginia (NOVA) Pay Differential if the selected candidate’s primary residence is located in a DHRM designated NOVA locality. The NOVA Pay Area, as defined in DHRM Policy 3.05, currently includes Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

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.