Workers' Compensation Judge

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Workers' Compensation Judge to adjudicate contested claims, overseeing hearings and guiding decisions across Pennsylvania. The role requires strong legal judgment and careful case management to ensure fair outcomes for employees and employers.

The position emphasizes public service, with opportunities for telework part-time after training, and a commitment to unbiased application of the law in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Five years of Workers' Compensation practice before administrative agencies, or equivalent experience.
• You must be an attorney in good standing before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Hearings: Lead in-person and virtual hearings and address all issues covered under relevant laws.
• Manage Caseloads: Oversee large caseloads while protecting the due process rights of all parties.
• Resolve Evidence: Review testimony and documents to determine credibility and prepare findings and orders.
• Issue Decisions: Release timely final decisions that meet statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Perform Research: Use legal research tools to review statutes, case law, and secondary sources.
• Guide Participants: Advise unrepresented litigants and oversee settlement hearings and agreement reviews.

Skills

Legal judgment

Case management

Public service mindset

Job description

THE POSITION

The Workers' Compensation Judge position with the Workers' Compensation Office of Adjudication offers an opportunity to guide important decisions that impact employees and employers across Pennsylvania. This role allows you to apply legal knowledge while ensuring fair hearings and clear outcomes. It is ideal for someone who values careful review, thoughtful judgment, and strong public service. Step into a role where your decisions help support a fair and balanced process.

THE POSITION

The Workers' Compensation Judge position with the Workers' Compensation Office of Adjudication offers an opportunity to guide important decisions that impact employees and employers across Pennsylvania. This role allows you to apply legal knowledge while ensuring fair hearings and clear outcomes. It is ideal for someone who values careful review, thoughtful judgment, and strong public service. Step into a role where your decisions help support a fair and balanced process.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position adjudicates contested workers' compensation claims and ensures fair hearings and accurate legal decisions. It requires strong legal judgment, careful case management, and steady guidance throughout the hearing process. As a Workers' Compensation Judge, you will perform the following duties:

• Conduct Hearings: Lead in-person and virtual hearings and address all issues covered under relevant laws
• Manage Caseloads: Oversee large caseloads while protecting the due process rights of all parties
• Resolve Evidence: Review testimony and documents to determine credibility and prepare findings and orders
• Issue Decisions: Release timely final decisions that meet statutory and regulatory requirements
• Perform Research: Use legal research tools to review statutes, case law, and secondary sources
• Guide Participants: Advise unrepresented litigants and oversee settlement hearings and agreement reviews

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch. Work schedule may vary based on operational needs.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, upon successful completion of the required training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Johnstown. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Five years of Workers' Compensation practice before administrative agencies, or equivalent experience.

Special Requirements

• You must be an attorney in good standing before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Other Requirements

• You must meet the PA residency requirement . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
• your score may be lower than deserved.
• you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.