Becoming a hearing examiner requires a law degree and experience in a specific field, such as land use planning or education. The examiner must be unbiased and free of conflicts of interest. Duties include judging formal hearings on development applications, civil violations, and ethical complaints. Qualifications and duties are defined by ordinance.
Obtaining a law degree represents the first step towards becoming a hearing examiner, who plays a quasi-judicial role. When a government agency asks for an auditory examiner, they usually want someone with experience in a specific field, such as land use planning or education. Some regions require licenses for examiners in defined jurisdictions. It may also take several years of experience in economics, environmental science, or land use to become a government auditory examiner.
To become a hearing examiner, a candidate must generally show the ability to assess and decide each case without bias. The examiner must be free of any conflict of interest that could influence the final outcome of a hearing. This professional may be prohibited from holding any public office or outside work as a requirement to become a hearing examiner, especially in politically charged regions.
Examiners often work for planning departments, judging formal hearings on development applications or appealing past decisions. Regional law may dictate public hearings for development in environmentally sensitive areas, zoning requests and special use permit applications. To become an auditory examiner on land use issues, a candidate will generally need to have knowledge of development regulations in the area. He or she may also be asked to show samples of past decisions.
Some public bodies have a hearing officer to handle civil violations or ethical complaints filed against elected officials. The officer may also oversee nuisance complaints and appeals in drug confiscation proceedings. An auditor’s decision may be final in some areas. In other regions, the hearing officer compiles a report describing evidence and forwards a recommendation to an elected or appointed body.
Knowledge of employment law may be required to become a hearing examiner for some public bodies, such as a school district. Hearings may cover complaints filed by employees or claims of discrimination. They may also involve termination disputes or failure to renew employment contracts. A lawyer striving to become a hearing officer for a particular public agency may need experience in employment law specific to that branch of government.
Most cities or municipalities define the duties of a hearing examiner by means of an ordinance. The law normally authorizes the types of cases the examiner may hear and the term of appointment. An ordinance may also describe minimum qualifications to become a hearing examiner and the scope of power transferred to the position. As an administrative law judge, the examiner may work as a staff member or an independent contractor.
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