ODR employs various individuals throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide services as a Special Education Hearing Officer.  The Stakeholder Council interviews and makes recommendations as to selection of hearing officers.  Individuals are chosen based upon their academic achievement, background in special education and law, professional experience and writing abilities.   In addition, ODR contracts with three hearing officers.  One contracted hearing officer handles gifted education cases.  One hearing officer handles cases if none of the hearing officers can preside over the case.  One hearing officer is under contract to take cases on an as needed basis if the number of hearing requests exceeds the capacity of the full time hearing officers. Hearing Officers lists the current officers and their qualifications, and FAQs has answers to some frequently asked questions about hearing officers.