Comp Judge-Workers' Compensation Judge

State of Minnesota; Bemidji (MN); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Telework options

Job summary

State of Minnesota is seeking up to three Workers' Compensation Judges to serve in the Court of Administrative Hearings. This is a hybrid role with in-office requirements and telework options based on location.

Judges will interpret and apply complex workers' compensation laws, conduct hearings, and issue decisions. Candidates must be licensed attorneys with five or more years of WC experience and strong written skills.

Qualifications

• J.D. Degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Minnesota and current with CLE requirements.
• Five+ years of workers' compensation litigation experience as a licensed attorney.
• Strong legal writing skills.
• Ability to relate and communicate across cultures and diverse groups.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Uphold judicial temperament: compassion, decisiveness, open-mindedness, courtesy, patience, and commitment to equal justice.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a workers' compensation judge.
• Adhere to the Code of Judicial Conduct and applicable ethics.
• Research, interpret and apply relevant law in complex settings.
• Conduct fair, impartial hearings in accordance with laws and rules.
• Decide issues of law and fact using sound legal reasoning.
• Conduct settlements and administrative conferences as required.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully in oral proceedings.
• Prepare clear and concise written decisions and orders.
• Maintain professional relationships with diverse people.
• Maintain license to practice law in Minnesota.

Skills

J.D. degree knowledge of WC law

Legal writing

Intercultural competency

Team collaboration

Judicial temperament

Communication

Education

J.D. Degree from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Working Title: Comp Judge-Workers' Compensation Judge

Job Class: Compensation Judge

Agency: Administrative Hearings

• Job ID : 97999

• Location : Various*

• Telework Eligible : Yes*

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/27/2026

• Closing Date : 11/17/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Administrative Hearings / Admin. Hrgs-Excluded Oth

• Division/Unit : Workers' Compensation

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes, up to 25%

• Salary Rate: $89.70 / hourly

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 221 - Excluded All Others/Unrep

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary – Workers' Compensation Judge, Court of Administrative Hearings

The Court of Administrative Hearings (CAH) is seeking applicants to serve as a Workers' Compensation Judge. We are hiring up to three (3) Workers' Compensation Judges. This is a hybrid work opportunity; judges work a minimum of five days in the office per pay period.

CAH is the largest of Minnesota's three Executive Branch Courts, employing over 75 staff, including more than 30 judges, in St. Paul and Duluth. CAH is comparable in size to the Ramsey County District Court. As an independent, neutral decision-maker, CAH exercises exclusive, statewide trial-level jurisdiction over hearings for more than 250 state agencies and local units of government across 200-plus areas of administrative law and serves as Minnesota's workers' compensation trial court. CAH is the only court in Minnesota doing this work. CAH renders justice through fair, timely and impartial administrative hearings and high-quality dispute resolution services. Each year, 10,000 new workers' compensation cases are filed at CAH, involving 7,500 workers and their employers, insurers, and medical providers.

*Location: The judges will be based at either CAH office - St. Paul or Duluth

*Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) : Options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. With approval, employees that live within 50 miles from the primary work location may telework up to 50%. Employees that live 50 miles or more from the primary location and live in Minnesota may telework more than 50% with approval.

Core Responsibilities

• Serve as a workers' compensation judge.

• Act in accordance with the Code of Judicial Conduct and applicable statutory codes of ethics.

• Research, understand, interpret, apply, and explain relevant law in complex legal and factual settings.

• Conduct fair and impartial hearings in complex, adversarial cases in accordance with governing laws and rules.

• Resolve issues of law and fact based upon the application of sound, supported legal reasoning to facts based upon evidence in the hearing record.

• Conduct settlement and administrative conferences in conformity with the applicable law.

• Engage in clear, respectful oral communication.

• Prepare clear, concise, and easily understandable written decisions and orders.

• Establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and respectful relationships with diverse people.

• Maintain license to practice law in the State of Minnesota.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Candidates must clearly demonstrate all the following qualifications on your resume. Resume tips are available here (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/applicant-help/resume-tips/) .

• J.D. Degree from an ABA accredited law school.

• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and current with continuing legal education requirements.

• Demonstrated knowledge of workers' compensation laws, including at least five (5) years as a licensed attorney practicing in workers' compensation.

• Demonstrated legal writing skills.

• Intercultural competency;ability to relate and communicate effectively with individuals who do not share the same culture, ethnicity, language, or other common experiences.

• Ability to work well as part of a team.

• Ability to uphold judicial temperament, which requires compassion, decisiveness, open-mindedness, courtesy, patience, freedom from bias, and commitment to equal justice under the law.

Preferred Qualifications

1. At least seven (7) years of workers' compensation litigation experience.

2. Experience as a mediator or arbitrator.

3. Experience as a judge in an administrative setting.

4. Demonstrated commitment to community and public service.

Additional Requirements

Applicants selected to interview will be required to submit a writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages). Applicants selected for an interview also may submit recommendation letters (not to exceed 5 letters).

It is the policy of the Court of Administrative Hearings (CAH) that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment, includes the following components:

• Criminal history check

• Reference check

• Education verification

• Attorney License verification (https://mars.courts.state.mn.us)

• SEMA4 records check (applies to current and past state employees only)

CAH is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.