L&I Workers' Compensation Adjudicator 2/Apprentice

State of Washington; Tumwater (WA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Spanish bilingual premium

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries is offering a 22-month apprenticeship program in workers’ compensation adjudication with initial in-office training for 11 months in Tumwater, WA. Opportunities include a hybrid telework option after classroom training, coaching, and alignment with experienced Claim Managers.

Spanish bilingual positions include a 5% salary premium; applicants must complete typing assessment and pass background checks.

Qualifications

• One year of experience working with insurance claims within Labor & Industries or in claims/insurance adjusting, claims investigations, paralegal services, or related fields.
• Bachelor's degree and ability to keyboard a minimum of 40 words per minute with a 5-minute typing test.
• Equivalent education/experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Adjudicate and manage workers' compensation claims, authorizing or denying medical, vocational and monetary benefits.
• Ensure timely processing within statutory time limits.
• Work with a team of claim managers and mentors during apprenticeship.
• Maintain high-quality work while handling a high volume of tasks.

Skills

Typing 40 WPM

Communication skills

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working! Our Values: Customer Focus, One L& I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

Please Note: This position requires in office training for the first 11 months. (Office location is Tumwater, WA)

Job Highlights

Join our Workers’ Compensation Adjudicator 2 Apprenticeship program! We have several opportunities for you to join our apprentice classes starting November 16, 2026.

You have an opportunity to make a difference. Are you interested in being a part of something big? To help injured workers heal and return to work? Make workplaces safe? To help honest workers, businesses and providers by cracking down on the dishonest ones? Come start your career at Labor & Industries!

¡Los trabajadores que hablan español necesitan su ayuda! Las posiciones español bilingüe ganan un 5% adicional de salario.

Your future career at Labor & Industries starts here:

• 22-month apprenticeship program, which includes an initial intensive classroom training period.
• Options for Hybrid Telework after classroom training (around 11 months).
• A personal coach/mentor assigned to you.
• Alignment with a team of experienced Claim Managers.
• Medical, legal and vocational professionals to assist you.
• Journey-level certification upon successful completion.

Salary Information

• $4,677.00 monthly beginning salary (87% of 50G for non-bilingual positions)
• $4,838.00 after six months (90% of 50G)
• $5,000.00 after ten months (93% of 50G)
• $5,376.00 after 22-months (100% of 50G Journey Level)
• 5% Annual Periodic Increase after completion of apprenticeship program up to $6,229.00

Additional Salary Information

• Spanish Bilingual jobs include a 5% salary increase for dual language responsibilities. If hired as bilingual, our top applicant will be required to pass an assessment of your ability to write and speak Spanish fluently. We do not use translating software.

• Permanent state employees who come into the program at or above 50G will be offered 100% 50G ($5,376).
• Permanent state employees who come into the program between 87% and 99% of 50G will retain their current salary until they naturally progress in accordance with standards of apprenticeship.
• All others will be placed at 87% of 50G, until they naturally progress in accordance with standards of apprenticeship.
• If accepted into this apprenticeship program, you may qualify for an apprenticeship stipend through your GI bill.

The Department of Labor & Industries (L& I) is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety, health, and security of Washington's workers. We help employers meet safety and health standards and inspect workplaces when alerted to hazards. As administrators of the state's workers' compensation system, we are similar to a large insurance company, providing medical and limited wage-replacement coverage to workers who suffer job-related injuries and illness. Our rules and enforcement programs also help ensure workers are paid what they are owed, that children's and teens' work hours are limited, and that consumers are protected from unsound business practices.

Insurance Services is the largest division within the agency and administers one of the premier workers’ compensation organizations in the nation serving over 3.8 million employees working for 260,000 employers.

Some of what you’ll do:

This job is complex. Claim Managers adjudicate and manage workers' compensation claims by authorizing or denying medical, vocational and monetary benefits and ensuring statutory time limits are met. As an apprentice you will do this while having your work checked for quality and accuracy.

The right person for this job will enjoy a challenging, ever-changing environment and possess the ability to work with people needing help. And much more!

Successful Claim Managers:

• Have strong and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrate the ability to learn quickly, be organized and work well under pressure
• Calmly handle adversarial situations while maintaining a good sense of judgment and making sound decisions
• Are comfortable answering a high volume of phone calls in a customer-focused environment
• Easily move through multiple computer programs and type 40 words per minute (WPM), accounting for errors
• Are motivated to research and interpret facts, apply rules, policies and laws fairly and objectively
• Have experience responding to difficult and sensitive situations with a strong sense of empathy and compassion
• Can perform multiple tasks under tight deadlines without sacrificing quality or accuracy
• Are committed to being on time and here 40 hours per week

Required:

• One year of experience working with insurance claims within Labor and Industries or in claims/insurance adjusting, claims investigations, paramedical occupations, disability management, claims risk management/loss control, medical billing or paralegal services with experience in personal injury or medical insurance, or related fields.

OR

• Bachelor's degree

OR

• Equivalent education/experience.

AND

• Ability and skill to keyboard at a minimum of 40 words per minute, accounting for errors, with a 5-minute typing test.

To see a typing assessment that meets the requirements visit www.typing.com/student/tests. Select and take the 5-minute assessment. Take a screen shot of your result, save, and attach during the online application process. Please do not send a link. (Your application will be considered incomplete without this assessment.)

Required Equity Competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Work Schedule Options

Work shifts available for the first 11 months:

Onsite – Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Other work schedules, including hybrid telework, can be considered after the 11-month classroom training is complete. Overtime may also be available after the classroom training is complete.

Vacation leave during the first 13 months is limited to specific dates based on the training schedule.

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career.

At L& I, your voice matters. In addition, L& I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.8 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L& I is an employer of choice.

For this position, you are required to work in the office for the 11-month training period. After completion of the training, telework is dependent upon business needs and supervisor approval. The assigned duty station for this position is Tumwater, Washington.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

1. Copy of an on-line 5-minute typing assessment that meets the 40-wpm qualification and clearly shows the length of the assessment.

1. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

To see a typing assessment that meets the requirements visit www.typing.com/student/tests. Select and take the 5-minute assessment. Take a screen shot of your result, save, and attach during the online application process. Please do not send a link. (Your application will be considered incomplete without this assessment.)

Background Check Notice

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other information

• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L& I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L& I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.
• Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted by phone or email to schedule a skills assessment. Assessments are held in person at the L& I Headquarters Office location is Tumwater, WA.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L& I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L& I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L& I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.8 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to your application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L& I’s [e-mail].

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L& I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contributes to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest source of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact Elena Emery at [e-mail].