Workers' Compensation Judge

Do you have the knowledge, experience, and discernment to effectively handle disputes about workers' compensation claims? The Workers' Compensation Office of Adjudication (WCOA) is seeking Workers’ Compensation Judges (WCJs) to act as the hearing level judges in adjudicating all issues litigated between employees, employers, and insurance carriers under the provisions of applicable Pennsylvania law. Apply today and facilitate the adjudication process with us!

Selected candidates will have the opportunity to indicate a preference during the interview processes for WCOA’s Harrisburg, WCOA's Uniontown, or both the Harrisburg and Uniontown offices.

In this position, you will render final decisions in workers’ compensation claims, exercising sole discretion and judgement in deciding factually and legally complex cases while meeting statutory requirements. This includes managing a caseload of hundreds of petitions in litigation with unbiased judgement and diligence to ensure that all processes for hearings, postponement and continuance requests, and decisions are completed in a timely manner. You will also be expected to oversee clerical staff who maintain the flow of information and legal documents, scheduling, typing, and related duties. Work will rely on your knowledge of the applicable laws, rules, regulations, case law, and rules of evidence; your familiarity with medical terminology and treatment modalities; and your extensive alternative dispute resolution and mediation abilities.

WCJs are essential for protecting the due process rights of all parties, resolving conflicts in evidence or expert opinion, and issuing prompt final decisions as required by statute, consent decree, regulation, and policy. Our team and the workers of Pennsylvania will rely on you to conduct impartial and orderly hearings. Do not miss this opportunity to take the next step in your legal career and help ensure all parties act with and are treated with civility!

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.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, upon successful completion of the 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 Harrisburg or Uniontown.
  • 1010 North 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
  • 108 North Beeson Boulevard, Uniontown, PA 15401
• 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.

Salary

• $105,291 - $149,732/year

Qualifications

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

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

Special Requirements:

• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

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.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

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.

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.