Workers' Compensation Judge

Salary: $105,291.00 - $149,732.00 Annually
Location : Blair County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2025-21103-07350
Department: Department of Labor & Industry
Division: LI WCOA Altoona Off
Opening Date: 03/18/2025
Closing Date: 4/1/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 07350
Position Number: 00063863
Union: Non Union
Bargaining Unit: A3
Pay Group: ST11
Bureau / Division Code: 00121381
Bureau / Division: Workers' Compensation Office of Adjudication - Altoona Office
Worksite Address: 615 Howard Avenue
Worksite Address: Suite 202
City: Altoona, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 16601
Contact Name: Moureen Gunyanyi
Contact Email: mgunyanyi@pa.gov

THE POSITION

Are you an ambitious legal professional who is ready to exercise your knowledge and experience to make a positive impact in the lives of others? If so, the Department of Labor & Industry is seeking a Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) to adjudicate contested claims under the Workers' Compensation Act. Secure your future while embarking upon an exciting and rewarding career path which serves the people of the Commonwealth!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
As a Workers' Compensation Judge, you will conduct administrative hearings adjudicating all issues litigated between employees, employers, and insurance carriers under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act and the Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act. You will be responsible for managing continuing caseloads of hundreds of cases in a prompt and efficient manner while protecting the due process rights of all parties. Within this role, you must maintain familiarity with medical anatomy and terminology, medical diagnostic procedures, surgical procedures, and treatment and medication modalities, including the reading of hospital and physicians' records.
We are looking for someone who possesses excellent leadership qualities and communication skills, and is dedicated towards performing duties in accordance with the guidelines of the ethics code imposed by the Workers' Compensation Act.
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 will not have the option to telework in this position.
• 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.
• 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.

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%20Info/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.
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.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our

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 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 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 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 our

• 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