SUPERVISING APPEALS EXAMINER
Career Family: APPEALS EXAMINER
Supervising Appeals Examiner sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It lists a doctoral degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $91,628 to $134,900, and state payroll currently lists 6 people in the title, most of them at Labor.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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Agency posting
Department of Labor and Workforce Development's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 6 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $121,977. The agencies employing the most are:
- Labor (6)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the direction of the Chief Appeals Examiner in the Appeals Tribunal, or other supervisory official in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, supervises Appeals Examiner staff within an assigned geographical region; renders formal, binding decisions on appeals involving unemployment and disability insurance benefit issues based on the evidence and testimony collected, applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, and subordinate staff recommendations; may adjudicate the most complex and/or precedential disputed unemployment compensation and disability benefit claims and appeals; prepares and/or approves written decisions related to these cases.
Examples of work
Supervises the receipt of appeals, the scheduling of hearings, assignment of cases, and the issuance of decisions, subpoenas and notices of hearings. Supervises the operation of the offices and staff within the geographic region; prepares workload estimates to ensure maximum utilization of staff. May adjudicate the most complex and/or precedential disputed unemployment compensation and disability benefit claims and appeals. Renders formal, binding decisions on appeals involving unemployment and disability insurance benefit issues based on the evidence and testimony collected, applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, and subordinate recommendations. Organizes assigned appeals and supervisory work and develops effective work methods. Acts as liaison between the local Appeals Tribunal offices and the Bureau of Benefit Control and/or the local Unemployment Insurance field offices within the geographic region. Conducts standard, telephone or mass hearings to adjudicate complex appeals involving disputed benefit claims, including appeals from determinations with respect to demands by a deputy for refunds of benefits and claims for regular unemployment compensation; disability under the State plan; disability benefits during unemployment claims; unemployment compensation for federal employees and ex-servicemen; temporary extended unemployment compensation; and combined wage claims; disaster unemployment assistance benefit claims; trade re-adjustment allowance benefit claims; and claims made under the Work Incentive Program. Confers with the Chief regarding policy of the Division of Unemployment-Disability Insurance and the Appeals Tribunal Investigates facts and circumstances involving unemployment and disability insurance benefit cases Trains or makes arrangements for the training of staff. Provides technical advice and assistance. Supervises work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Ensures hearings are conducted according to prescribed policies and procedures. May hold informal pre-hearing conferences with appellants, attorneys, employers and other interested persons to answer questions and resolve issues. Supervises the preparation of written summaries and interrogatories to be used by hearing officers in other states for the conduct of non-resident hearings. Acts as a proxy for similar appellant bodies in other States by conducting hearings for the other states, involving New Jersey residents; makes a complete record of the hearings, and forwards the record of the hearing and all exhibits to that State body for their action. May issue subpoenas and other legal orders. Develops a record as to the facts and circumstances concerning the issues under appeal and giving each party an opportunity to present all relevant evidence. Responds to and initiates inquiries from appellants, attorneys, insurance representatives, doctors and other parties requesting information. Notifies claimants or enrollees of their right to appeal adverse decisions to the highest appellate level within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (Board of Review). In cases involving appeals by large numbers of claimants involved in complex cases, such as labor disputes where the contested issue is the same in all appeals, schedules a mass hearing for the appearance of a representative of a group of claimants, or employers, which are agreeable to all parties; conducts a mass hearing, adjudicates the matter at hand, and drafts a written decision based on the evidence presented, and in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Reviews applications to reopen appeal cases that have been decided, and drafts a written decision setting forth the allowance or denial of reopening. Rules upon applications for the adjournment of hearings, taking into account the protection of the legal rights of the parties concerned and of the State. Supervises the preparation of detailed reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Requirements
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Eight (8) years of professional experience making determinations on eligibility in various phases of temporary wage replacement insurance in a public or private agency. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Admission to practice as an Attorney at Law in New Jersey or possession of a J.D. or L.L.H. degree; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the conduct of court proceedings and administrative or quasi-judicial hearing procedures. Knowledge of State and federal laws involving unemployment, disability insurance, and other compensatory programs administered by the department and their application to specific claim situations. Knowledge of the rules of evidence and elements of jurisdiction and limitations. Knowledge of interviewing methods and techniques. Knowledge of functional systems and terminology necessary to appropriately evaluate temporary disability claims. Knowledge of the methods used to gather and analyze information. Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret and apply the appropriate sections of Federal and State law, regulations and policies governing Unemployment-Disability Insurance and apply them to specific cases in accordance with established procedures. Ability to analyze case facts and circumstances, evaluate their importance in relation to state and federal laws, regulations, and policies, and to recommend clear, concise, and logical decisions based on the evidence and testimony presented. Ability to conduct fair and impartial hearings. Ability to take testimony in such manner as to preserve the legal rights of the parties concerned and of the State. Ability to apply investigative techniques and procedures, rules of evidence and basic court procedures. Ability to apply the principles of due process and its application to quasi-judicial hearings. Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods. Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret current business and industrial practices within the State of New Jersey. Ability to supervise staff and effectively evaluate their performance. Ability to train Appeal Examiner staff in the conduct of hearings Ability to deal with distraught and argumentative individuals. Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and formal recommendations. Ability to maintain essential records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. Code: R28- GB 9/8/2012
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
Study guides for this exam
- Supervisory Test Battery (STB) National Learning Corporation · $56.99
- General Supervisor National Learning Corporation · $49.90 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.