Legal Affairs
Judicial Hearing Officer
$60.67 to $65.43 an hour
Posted until November 23, 2026 · posted September 24, 2026
Requirements
License or certificate
Exam
Non-competitive title
A job title where a competitive exam is not practical, so the agency checks that your qualifications meet the standard instead. You apply directly. On our job pages this shows as "No exam for this title".
Check yourself
What they actually ask for.
A license or certificate is part of the requirements
- A license to practice law in the State of New York, which must be maintained; and
- Three years of recent satisfactory relevant legal experience subsequent to
admission to the bar.
Quoted word for word from the official posting. The label above is ours, read from this text; if they disagree, this text wins.
The work
What the job is.
-
17 hrs a week
“NOTE: No incumbent shall work more than 17 hours per week in any two consecutive weeks, or more than 1,000 hours per year.”
Read from the posting. Tap one to see the line it came from.
ABOUT OATH:
The City of New York’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) is the nation’s largest administrative tribunal, holding more than 250,000 trials and hearings a year.
As the City’s central, independent administrative law court, OATH adjudicates a wide range of matters filed by nearly every city agency, board and commission.
Read the rest, from the posting
OATH also houses the Center for Creative Conflict Resolution which provides mediation and restorative justice support to City government agencies and the general public, and the Administrative Judicial Institute, a resource center that provides training, continuing education, research and support services for administrative law judges and hearing officers.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
OATH is seeking attorneys to serve as Judicial Hearing Officers (JHOs) in its Hearings Division and Appeals Division. JHOs are independent adjudicators who decide whether to sustain or dismiss civil summonses filed by NYC enforcement agencies against members of the public (individuals, businesses, etc.).
Each day, JHOs conduct multiple hearings, review evidence, assess legal arguments, and issue written decisions.
JHOs are responsible for maintaining procedures to ensure that cases are heard, and decisions rendered in a timely manner, while knowledgably and accurately conveying agency policy to the public.
The ideal candidate is an ambitious, energetic and experienced attorney who enjoys the growth opportunities afforded by OATH’s ongoing commitment to positive institutional change, technological enhancement, and maximizing the public’s access to justice.
JHOs must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and work effectively within tight deadlines.
JHOs are scheduled on the needs of the agency and may work up to 1,000 hours per year at the hourly rate noted above. JHOs may maintain outside employment. JHOs work off-site, using their own computer and telephone.
If assigned to the Hearings Division, JHOs will be conducting hearings remotely by phone. If assigned to the Appeals Division, JHOs will be reviewing written appeal requests and writing appeal decisions.
NOTE: No incumbent shall work more than 17 hours per week in any two consecutive weeks, or more than 1,000 hours per year.
Skills they'd like
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
- Excellent writing, legal research, and analytical skills.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Computer skills in Microsoft Word, Access, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Prior adjudicatory experience and/or knowledge of NYC enforcement agencies is helpful but not required.
Before you apply
The fine print.
Where you have to live
Live in NYC within 90 days (usually)
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
How to apply, from the posting
For City employees, please go to Employee Self Service (ESS), click on Recruiting Activities > Careers, and search for the Job ID 783587. For all other applicants, please go to www.nyc.gov/jobs/search and search for the Job ID listed.
SUBMISSION OF A RESUME IS NOT A GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE AN INTERVIEW. APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OVERSIGHT APPROVAL.
Read the rest
No telephone calls, faxes or personal inquiries please.
Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. For more information about OATH, visit us at:
www.nyc.gov/oath
Sources
Straight from the city.
From the city's job data, which the city last updated September 28, 2026. You apply through the official posting.
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