Review Vacancy
AgencyOffice of Cannabis Management
TitleHearing Examiner (Supervising Hearing Examiner) - VID 200452
Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $127507 to $160911 Annually
Duties Description The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is responsible for the regulation, licensure, and public health and safety of all cannabis and hemp operations in the state, as well as programmatic cannabusiness development. OCM leads the nation in its practice of centering equity and diversity in the opportunity of cannabusiness in communities statewide.
The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is OCM’s independent adjudicatory body, separate from the OCM’s Office of General Counsel. OAH conducts administrative hearings on cannabusiness licensure, compliance, and enforcement actions under the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).
The Supervising Hearing Examiner reports to OAH’s Chief Administrative Law Judge/Deputy Director (Chief ALJ). The Supervising Hearing Examiner:
• Manage the day-to-day work of OAH’s administrative law judges (ALJs) and legal assistants, provide expert legal advice and opinions to OAH management and staff.
• Preside over complex, high-profile, or precedent-setting hearings involving licensing, compliance, or enforcement actions under the MRTA.
• Conduct hearings in accordance with applicable law, ensure procedural fairness, and issue clear, well-reasoned, and legally defensible written decisions. Review the work product of the ALJs and legal assistants to ensure that it meets OAH’s standards. Work product consists of draft opinions, forms, policies, memoranda, correspondence, and other documents.
• Provide expert guidance to ALJs and staff on administrative law, evidentiary issues, and procedural due process, and lead initiatives that promote adjudicative excellence, efficiency, and uniformity in decision-making across OAH.
• Build a cohesive, supportive team that works well with one another, develops objectives and priorities for OAH, and maintains open communication.
• Assign cases, schedule hearings and monitor the Hearing Examiner’s attendance and performance at administrative hearings and conference appearances.
• Responsible for personnel-related matters that involve OAH staff. These matters include, but are not limited to, candidate selection, hiring, performance evaluation, ALJ practice development, discipline, work schedules, leave requests, and reasonable accommodation requests.
• Advise the Chief ALJ and coordinate with OCM’s Office of General Counsel about proposed legislation, rules, and regulations related to OCM’s mission and hearings practice. Providing this advice requires the Supervising Hearing Examiner to prepare supporting memoranda, and evaluate pending policies, regulations, and legislation.
• Assist the Chief ALJ in developing and implementing operational policies, procedural standards, and long-term strategic objectives for OAH, and assist the Chief ALJ in developing and implementing ALJ professional development and training programs, including internal policy workshops, and hearing best practices.
• Participate in meetings and telephone conferences with parties before the OAH, the OCM Executive Office and Counsel’s Office, and the NYS Office of the Attorney General and handle special projects and assignments, process improvement initiatives, and operational reviews as assigned by the Chief ALJ.
Minimum Qualifications Candidates must be admitted to the New York State Bar, currently in good standing, and have six years of post-Bar legal experience*.
*Relevant experience includes but is not limited to: judicial practice (e.g. litigation, clerkship, judgeship), appeals, arbitration or mediation, administrative law, or regulatory litigation.
Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated excellence in legal writing, analytical reasoning, and adjudicative judgment.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to handle complex issues under pressure while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion.
Exceptional candidates with at least five (5) years of post-bar legal experience having an extensive adjudicative or supervisory experience and familiarity with the MRTA may also be considered.
NOTE: IN ORDER TO AWARD THE PROPER CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE, RESUMES MUST INCLUDE MONTH AND YEAR FOR START AND END DATES. IF ANY OF THIS EXPERIENCE IS LESS THAN FULL TIME YOU MUST INDICATE THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED PER WEEK.
Additional Comments NOTE:
• Travel may be required (approximately 10%), including during evening and weekends, depending on mission and assignment.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Driver’s License issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicle is required, or otherwise demonstrate the capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job.
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is an equal opportunity employer, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants for all communities to apply. For a full version of OCM’s EEO/AA statement and benefits of joining OCM, please visit: About | Office of Cannabis Management (ny.gov).
NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
Downstate: Location Pay of $4,000.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address HRresumes@ogs.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Office of General Services, HRM
31st Floor Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Notes on ApplyingPlease submit a resume and cover letter to HRresumes@ogs.ny.gov detailing how you meet the minimum qualifications along with the month/year and, if less than full time, the average hours worked per week for each position listed. Indicate the Position Title & Vacancy ID number of each position you are applying to.