Hearing officers require post-secondary education, relevant experience, and interpersonal skills to work in government agencies, hearing disputes and making decisions. Auditors need listening and communication skills, a bachelor’s degree, and experience in dispute resolution or the legal system. Both positions require knowledge of rules and regulations and the ability to make decisions supported by them.
The primary motivation for becoming a hearing officer is usually a personal commitment to justice and a desire to participate in dispute resolution. To become a hearing officer, you’ll need a combination of post-secondary education, related experience, and interpersonal skills. A hearing officer usually works in a government agency or department and has the primary role of hearing both sides of a dispute, reviewing the facts of the case and providing a decision. Although the hearing officer acts in the role of a judge, decisions generally focus on administrative matters relating to local or state government agencies.
To become an auditor, you must have a specific combination of listening and communication skills. You are expected to maintain a high standard of personal and professional integrity. Training in mediation and dispute resolution can be very helpful in this career.
The minimum level of education required to become an auditor is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. In many places, a law degree is also required. However, this depends on the department and the types of disputes he or she will decide. Some departments require specific courses in alternative dispute resolution, mediation, or related training.
Related work experience may include dispute resolution, working in the legal system and conflict negotiations. In many situations, this experience is gained through quasi-judicial courts or similar councils. The main purpose of this type of position is to gain experience by listening to issues and making a decision. While most of these positions are paid, there are opportunities to work as a volunteer hearing officer for organizations that provide support services to various communities.
Listening and communication skills are absolutely essential if you want to become a hearing officer. In many cases, the auditor is responsible for determining eligibility for benefits, reviewing administrative decisions made by others, and providing an opportunity for dispute resolution. Emotions can run quite high for people involved in these disputes because it often takes a long period of time to reach an auditor.
After the hearing concludes and both sides present their cases, the hearing officer must make a decision. As a hearing officer you will need to be very familiar with the law, rules and regulations and ensure that decisions are supported by these rules. A written report is issued and copies are provided to both parties. The decision typically includes a summary of the issues raised, the rule or law used to support the decision, and an explanation of the appeals process.
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