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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania

Workers' Compensation Judge

Hybrid$109,810 - $156,167/yrPosted yesterday

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Job details

Location
Reading, Pennsylvania
Work type
Hybrid
Compensation
$109,810 - $156,167/yr
Posted
yesterday
Apply on
governmentjobs.com

About this role

About the Department

As a Workers’ Compensation Judge with the Workers' Compensation Office of Adjudication (WCOA) Reading Office, you will be responsible for handling disputes about Workers' Compensation claims. This role offers the chance to help people navigate adjudication processes and to exercise sound legal judgment in deciding factually and legally complex cases. Your work will help maintain public trust in the Workers’ Compensation system by facilitating fair and balanced resolutions. Apply now to share your expertise with an agency that values integrity, precision, and service to the public.


Position Duties

This position adjudicates contested claims for issues litigated between employees, employers, and insurance carriers under the Workers’ Compensation Act. Work relies on informed legal judgment, careful review of evidence, and clear communication throughout the adjudication process. As a Workers' Compensation Judge, you will perform the following duties:


  • Hold Hearings: Manages a caseload of hundreds of petitions; conduct impartial, orderly administrative hearings both in-person and virtually; ensure promptness, efficiency, and the protection of due process rights for all parties
  • Analyze Evidence and Testimony: Extensively review hearing testimony, evidence of record, written arguments of attorneys, and applicable case law
  • Conduct Legal Research: Use legal research databases and other primary and secondary sources to determine the validity of legal positions
  • Issue Decisions: Write final decisions based on your analysis and application of evidence, testimony, applicable laws, and legal precedent
  • Oversee Clerical Staff: Provide direction to secretaries and other staff members who help schedule and reschedule hearings, communicate with parties, and process case documents
  • Support Collaborative Resolutions: Advise unrepresented litigants about their rights and all required procedures, review settlement agreements, and utilize alternative dispute resolution


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 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. May vary based on operational needs.
  • Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, after 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 Reading. 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

 

How to Apply:

  • Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
  • If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.  
  • Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
  • Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. 
  • All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

 

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.

Other Qualifications

  • 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.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!


See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*


Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. 

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* 

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

Supplemental Questions

01
Necessary Special Requirement - Are you an attorney in good standing before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If yes, please indicate your license number and expiration date in the text box below. If no, please indicate N/A in the text box.
03
How many years of full-time Workers' Compensation practice experience before administrative agencies do you possess?
  • 5 years or more
  • 4 but less than 5 years
  • 3 but less than 4 years
  • 2 but less than 3 years
  • 1 but less than 2 years
  • Less than 1 year
  • None
04
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05
How many years of full-time experience practicing before administrative agencies or courts of record (e.g., Commonwealth Court) which involved related areas of law which involved the relationship between physical or psychological impairment and a person's ability to work (e.g., social security disability, personal injury, etc.) do you possess?
  • 5 years or more
  • 4 but less than 5 years
  • 3 but less than 4 years
  • 2 but less than 3 years
  • 1 but less than 2 years
  • Less than 1 year
  • None
06
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
07
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.

All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.
  • Yes
08
WORK BEHAVIOR 1 –REVIEW DOCUMENTS AND CASE/RECORDS

Perform a pre-trial review of all petitions filed under the Workers' Compensation and Occupational Disease Acts including Claim Petitions, Petitions to Modify/Suspend/Terminate Benefits, Petitions to Reinstate Benefits, Penalty Petitions, etc. in order to familiarize themselves with the nature of the case; understand full legal significance of all petitions; review and stay familiar with the legal significance of Bureau records.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
  • A. I have experience preparing and supervising others in the preparation of petitions, answers, requests, and other pleadings related to assigned cases.
  • B. I have experience preparing petitions, answers, requests, and other pleadings related to assigned cases.
  • C. I have experience as part of a legal team writing or reviewing petitions, answers, requests, and other pleadings related to assigned cases.
  • D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.
09
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.
  1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
  2. Your experience preparing or supervising others preparing petitions, answers, requests, and other pleadings
  3. Your experience as part of a legal team writing or reviewing petitions, answers, etc.
  4. Your specific duties and responsibilities
10
WORK BEHAVIOR 2 – CONFERENCES AND SUBPOENAS

Conduct pre-trial and mediation conferences (when warranted) with all interested parties in attendance to accomplish the following objectives: identifying the issues, exchanging and limiting exhibits, obtaining stipulation of facts not in dispute, limiting the number of witnesses, determining best procedure to obtain needed information and identifying any other matters that may be dealt with in order to aid in expediting the orderly conduct and disposition of proceedings. Review requests for and issue subpoenas as requested to compel attendance of witnesses and/or production of written documents.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
  • A. I have experience, as well as supervising others in the performance of, representing parties at mediation conferences during all phases of litigation including pre-trial discovery, drafting stipulations, preparing witnesses, AND reviewing and requesting subpoenas.
  • B. I have experience representing parties at mediation conferences during all phases of litigation including pre-trial discovery, drafting stipulations, preparing witnesses, AND reviewing and requesting subpoenas.
  • C. I have experience representing parties at mediation conferences during all phases of litigation including pre-trial discovery, drafting stipulations, preparing witnesses, OR reviewing or requesting subpoenas.
  • D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.
11
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.
  1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
  2. Your experience representing parties or supervising others representing parties
  3. Your experience with pre-trial discovery, drafting stipulations, preparing witnesses, or reviewing and requesting subpoenas.
  4. Your specific duties and responsibilities
12
WORK BEHAVIOR 3 – HEARINGS

Preside over hearings in order to ensure disposition of the issues and that the facts of the case are heard within a timely fashion and all parties are given a fair and impartial hearing. Ask questions of and observe witnesses, defendants and claimants during the hearing to secure facts in order to make a decision about the case. Listen to and analyze testimony and evidence presented by witnesses, defendants and claimants in order to assess credibility of the evidence. Determine the credibility and admissibility of witness testimony and documentary evidence. Issue rulings on objections. Review and evaluate transcripts, depositions, records, medical texts, findings of fact, briefs and personal notes of hearing in order to determine the weight and sufficiency of the evidence as it relates to the issues raised by the parties.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
  • A. I have experience presiding as the hearing officer for pre-trial conferences and administrative hearings by asking questions of and observing witnesses, defendants and claimants to secure facts; analyzing testimony and evidence presented by witnesses, defendants and claimants; determining the credibility and admissibility of witness testimony and documentary evidence; issuing rulings on objections; AND reviewing and evaluating transcripts, depositions, records, etc. to determine the weight and sufficiency of the evidence as it relates to the issues raised by the parties.
  • B.I have experience as a legal representative of parties at judicial and administrative hearings, including asking questions of and observing witnesses, defendants and claimants to secure facts; analyzing testimony and evidence presented by witnesses, defendants and claimants; determining the credibility and admissibility of witness testimony and documentary evidence; issuing rulings on objections; AND reviewing and evaluating transcripts, depositions, records, etc. to determine the weight and sufficiency of the evidence as it relates to the issues raised by the parties.
  • C. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.
13
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.
  1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
  2. Your experience presiding as a hearing officer for pre-trial conferences and administrative hearings
  3. Your experience as a legal representative of parties at judicial and administrative hearings
  4. Your specific duties and responsibilities
14
WORK BEHAVIOR 4 – PREPARE WRITTEN DECISION

Prepare findings of fact, conclusions of law, briefs, and proposed orders. Research the Workers' Compensation and Occupational Disease Acts and applicable case law, rules, and regulations in order to properly decide the case.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
  • A. I have experience preparing and supervising others in the preparation of findings of fact, conclusions of law, briefs, and proposed orders, AND researching applicable case law, rules, and regulations in order to properly decide the case.
  • B. I have experience preparing findings of fact, conclusions of law, briefs, and proposed orders, AND researching applicable case law, rules, and regulations in order to properly decide the case.
  • C. I have experience as part of a legal team that prepares findings of fact, conclusions of law, briefs, and proposed orders, AND researching applicable case law, rules, and regulations in order to properly decide the case.
  • D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.
15
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.
  1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
  2. Your experience preparing or supervising others preparing findings of fact, conclusions of law, briefs, and proposed orders
  3. Your experience researching or supervising others researching case law, rules, etc. to decide a case
  4. Your experience as part of a legal team preparing or researching
  5. Your specific duties and responsibilities

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov
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About Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
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