Presiding Workers’ Compensation Judge

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Associate Chief Judge and Chief Judge, the Supervising Administrative Law Judge supervises the staff and is responsible for the operation of a district office of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board but not including the merits of the judicial decisions of the judges; presides as a judicial officer over hearings under Workers’ Compensation Law; and does other related work within the Division of Workers' Compensation. The Supervising Administrative Law Judge must adhere to the California Code of Judicial Ethics.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Supervising Administrative Law Judge job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at: 1880 N Main Street, Suite 100, Salinas, CA 93906.

The duties of this job are performed indoors most of the time. The employee works in the DWC Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. The employee’s work area is equipped with standard office equipment. Attend meetings in designated conference rooms and be willing to travel for off-site meeting/trainings, work in a team environment and independently.

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (40-hour work week)

We offer a hybrid work schedule in accordance with DIR’s telework policy.

Special Requirements

Membership (active or inactive) in the State Bar of California is required.

1. One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Administrative Law Judge. or

2. Five years of experience in the active practice of law or performing legal duties, including appellate practice. This experience must either have included or been supplemented by two years in work regularly requiring the interpretation and application of Workers' Compensation Law.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

1. Knowledge of principles and provisions of the Labor Code pertaining to Workers’ Compensation insurance and safety.

2. Knowledge of leading court decisions on California Workers’ Compensation Law.

3. Knowledge of principles of Personnel Management.

4. Knowledge of principles of effective supervision and training.

5. Knowledge of how to conduct court proceedings.

6. Knowledge of Rules of evidence governing Workers’ Compensation proceedings.

7. Knowledge of laws relating to serving notices, taking depositions, and issuing subpoenas.

8. Knowledge of Medical, physiological, anatomical, and occupational terminology in relation to cases of industrial injury.

9. Knowledge of procedure before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board

10. Knowledge of legal research methods.

11. Knowledge of manager’s/supervisor’s responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion.

12. Knowledge of maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

13. Knowledge of the California Code of Judicial Ethics.

14. Knowledge of California State Human Resources rules, regulations, and policies.

1. Excellent writing skills to prepare comprehensive reports and summaries.

2. Excellent legal research skills to research applicable laws pertaining to a workers’ compensation case or departmental personnel policies.

3. Understanding laws, rules, and statutes and their application to a particular case in order to render just and fair decisions in Workers’ Compensation cases.

4. Excellent listening skills to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.

5. Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.

6. Excellent mediation skills to bring people together and reconcile differences.

7. Skill to analyze issues/problems arising in an office.

8. Skills to resolve issues that arise in an office.

9. Skills to understand computer programs and work with the programs.

10. 10, Skills in leading a team and managing large volumes of work including redirecting work where needed.

11. Patience.

12. Interpersonal skills to interact with multiple staff members and members of the community.

13. Organizational skills to be able to prioritize what needs to be done in the office and meet all deadlines.

1. Plans, organizes, prioritize and directs the work of a staff of Workers’ Compensation Judges and supporting personnel.

2. Experience in evaluating personnel performance.

3. Experience in conducting hearings in a manner that will obtain all pertinent evidence and secure the confidence and respect of all parties.

4. Experience with analyzing and appraising legal problems and applying legal principles and precedents to a particular sets of facts.

5. Experience making summaries of evidence, findings, awards, orders, and other legal documents relating to compensation litigation.

6. Experience performing legal research.

7. Experience with analyzing situations accurately and taking effective action.

8. Experience with communicating effectively.

9. Experience with effectively promoting equal opportunity in employment and maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

10. Ability to implement and enforce departmental policies.

11. Ability to maintain a good relationship with the community and address their concerns.

12. Ability to maintain proper documentation and confidentiality.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits.

• Paid Sick and Vacation.

• 11 Paid State Holidays.

• Alternate/Modified Work Schedule.

• 401(k), 457 and Roth IRA Plans.

• Retirement. (CalPERS)

• Employee Assistance Program. (EAP)

• Medical and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts.

• Pre-Tax Parking Program.

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at View phone number on us.fitly.work.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.