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Workers' Compensation Judge

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Workers' Compensation Judge

Salary

$107,658.00 - $153,096.00 Annually

Location

Lycoming County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-40656-07350

Department

Department of Labor & Industry

Division

LI WCOA Williamsport Off

Opening Date

01/16/2026

Closing Date

1/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

07350

Position Number

00163702

Union

Non Union

Bargaining Unit

A3

Pay Group

ST11

Bureau / Division Code

00121386

Bureau / Division

Workers' Compensation Office of Adjudication

Worksite Address

208 W. Third Street, Rear, Suite 202

City

Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

17701

Contact Name

Meshal Ghori

Contact Email

[email protected]

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

THE POSITION

Do you have the knowledge, experience, and discretion 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 contested claims regarding who can get benefits, stopping or changing benefits, and the reasonableness and necessity of medical treatment. Do not miss this opportunity to take the next step in your legal career!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

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. You will be expected to manage 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. This includes overseeing clerical staff who maintain the flow of information and legal documents through scheduling, typing, and related duties. Your 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 in which all parties act with and are treated with civility. Apply today and facilitate the adjudication process with us!

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description (https://careers.employment.pa.gov/pd/PD\_NEOGOV.asp?p=00163702) .

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. May vary based on operational needs.

+ Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, after successful completion of the probationary 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. 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 (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) and click on Residency.

+ You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

+ Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents willnot 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.

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/testoncefor this posting.

+ Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this shortvideo (https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtcSRnndflc?rel=0) !

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring ourbenefits 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 visitwww.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

01

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 experiencemustalso 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 experiencemustalso 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. Youmustcomplete the applicationandanswer 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 work behavior 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 for each work behavior 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 ourFAQ page. (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3)

+ 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.

+ The name of the employer where you gained this experience

+ Your experience preparing or supervising others preparing petitions, answers, requests, and other pleadings

+ Your experience as part of a legal team writing or reviewing petitions, answers, etc.

+ 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.

+ The name of the employer where you gained this experience

+ Your experience representing parties or supervising others representing parties

+ Your experience with pre-trial discovery, drafting stipulations, preparing witnesses, or reviewing and requesting subpoenas.

+ 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.

+ The name of the employer where you gained this experience

+ Your experience presiding as a hearing officer for pre-trial conferences and administrative hearings

+ Your experience as a legal representative of parties at judicial and administrative hearings

+ 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.

+ The name of the employer where you gained this experience

+ Your experience preparing or supervising others preparing findings of fact, conclusions of law, briefs, and proposed orders

+ Your experience researching or supervising others researching case law, rules, etc. to decide a case

+ Your experience as part of a legal team preparing or researching

+ Your specific duties and responsibilities

Required Question

Employer

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address

613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website

http://www.employment.pa.gov