Ovr Independent Hearing Officer And Mediator

Vocational Rehabilitation

Impartial Hearing Officer

Job Description

Statement of Work

Preside over quasi-judicial administrative impartial due process hearings and write formal adjudications relating to applicants’ or eligible individuals’ appeals of determinations made by personnel of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation that affect the provision of vocational rehabilitation and other services to the applicant or eligible individual.

Description of Duties

• Conduct and regulate formal on-the-record administrative hearings.

• Conduct pre-hearing conferences to narrow issues, establish discovery and hearing schedules and address other related issues as necessary.

• Decide all pre-hearing motions and hearing motions.

• Issue subpoenas.

• Take or cause depositions to be taken.

• Make rulings on offers of proof and receive relevant evidence.

• Issue written decisions and orders of the hearing based upon the evidence and testimony presented, including any stipulations, briefs, exhibits and legal research.

• Determine conflicts of interest which would warrant recusal.

• Assure that all parties are aware of their rights.

• Adhere to the federal Rehabilitation Act’s 30-day timeline for issuance of the written decision.

Selection and Eligibility

Individuals will be selected for inclusion on the list of Impartial Hearing Officers jointly by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council.

Interested individuals must be knowledgeable about the federal laws and regulations governing the provision of vocational rehabilitation services including the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §701 et. Seq. and governing regulations 35 CFR Part 361.

Interested individuals must have experience presiding over or participating in administrative proceedings.

Selected individuals will undergo training on the Rehabilitation Act and the hearing procedures.

When virtual hearings and/or mediations are not possible; travel may be required. Travel will be reimbursed consistent with the Commonwealth’s Travel Policy 230.10 Amended and Management Directive 230.10 Amended.

Selected individuals will be remunerated pursuant to the following:

$1,000 – per day for hearing.

$500 – per day for written decision.

$800 – per day Mediation if also selected as a Mediator.

$250 – “no show” – customer fails to attend.

$200 – hearing cancels before it is held.

In order to be compensated, individuals must complete online registration as a Supplier/Vendor with the Department of General Services and obtain an SAP Vendor Number at:

https://www.budget.pa.gov/Services/ForVendors/Pages/Vendor-Registration.aspx.

If appropriate, vendors should also register with the DGS Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunities (BDISBO).

It is the responsibility of the individual to maintain this registration and respond to all requests for verifications/updates from the Department of General Services.

Interested individuals should submit resumes to the following:

Ralph Roach

651 Boas Street Room 700

Harrisburg, PA 17121

RA-LIOVR-COMPAPPEALS@pa.gov