Administrative Law Officer (ALO)

The Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), a division of the Vermont Secretary of State, is seeking proposals to provide Administrative Law Officer (ALO) services on a contractual basis. Scope of Work: The Secretary of State’s Office administers professional regulatory programs for 52 diverse and interesting professions, ranging from Tattoo Artists, Body Piercers, Cosmetologists, and Barbers to Engineers, Accountants, and Architects to Nurses, Osteopaths, Dentists, Pharmacists, and other health care related occupations. OPR conducts in-house administrative hearings regarding qualification for licensure or alleged unprofessional conduct against applicants or licensees in the course of administering these programs. The ALO will be utilized as a hearing officer to act in a quasi-judicial capacity and to conduct administrative hearings, either at the request of a Board or the Director of OPR. For each case assigned to the ALO, responsibilities shall include: Conducting prehearing conferences, researching, and ruling on prehearing motions, conducting formal hearings, and ruling on evidentiary matters, researching all relevant issues, drafting final decisions, including findings of fact, conclusions of law and orders, conducting intermediate appellate reviews, and drafting appellate orders. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with OPR’s Administrative Rules of Practice, Vermont Administrative Procedures Act, Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, Vermont Statutes, Title 3 and Title 26, and administrative rules adopted by the particular professional board. After a hearing, the ALO shall provide a written decision within 30 days from the date the record in a hearing is closed. The ALO may request an extension of this deadline where there is substantial need to do so. Qualifications: • Admission to practice law in Vermont • Significant experience, 10 years minimum, as a licensed attorney preparing for, participating in, and conducting formal hearings or trials involving litigation and/or administrative law at the Federal, State, or local level. • Solid working knowledge of legal principles and their application, conduct of hearing proceedings and the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act; trial experience with Vermont Rules of Evidence governing such procedure and the laws relating to serving notices, taking depositions, and issuing subpoenas; legal research; familiarity with court decisions interpreting the powers of administrative boards and agencies; understanding of principles and theories of administrative law and judicial review of administrative actions; thoughtful appreciation for principles and objectives of effective public administration and an understanding of the uses of proper administrative procedures in furthering these objectives; and proficiency with legal terms and forms in common use. • Well-honed legal research skills; ability to analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, evidence, and precedent to legal problems; formulate accurate summaries of evidence and prepare appropriate factual findings and conclusions of law and make recommendations to professional boards based on such facts; conduct fair and impartial hearings in a manner that will obtain all relevant evidence, encourage confidence and respect, and do justice; communicate effectively; maintain order/decorum during hearings; and maintain cooperative and courteous relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. Form of Proposal: To receive consideration for this contract, qualified individuals must submit a letter of interest (including a proposed hourly rate) and resume. Contract position is open until awarded. Send to: contact@example.gov Selection Process: All timely and complete responses to this solicitation will be considered. One or more individuals may be interviewed and invited to provide a more detailed proposal. Questions: If you have questions regarding this solicitation, please contact Brittany Dukette: contact@example.gov