Workers' Compensation District Judge

Workers' Compensation District Judge

Office of Workers' Compensation    

Division: Hearings District 1

Location:Shreveport, LA

Announcement: WCDJ-202242-110624HC

This position may be filled as either a Probational or a Job Appointment (open to all qualified applicants); a Promotion (open to all statewide classified and agency wide permanent status employees); or by Detail to Special Duty. Current permanent status, classified employees may be required to accept a Probational appointment if selected.  If filled as a Job Appointment, there is a possibility that this position may be converted to a Probational Appointment should funding become available.

No Civil Service test score or assessment is required to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

• Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is an equal employment opportunity employer and SAME agency which serves as a model employer for the recruitment, hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities • TDD# 800-259-5154

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Heather Courville

hcourville@lwc.la.gov

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Possession of a license to practice law in the state of Louisiana plus six years of experience in the state of Louisiana as a practicing attorney, two years of which must have been in the practice of Workers' Compensation law or as an Office of Workers' Compensation mediator.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Either of the following will substitute for up to two years of the specialized experience:

Experience practicing before an administrative tribunal, such as the Civil Service Commission, Social Security Administration, etc.

OR

Experience in the area of personal injury litigation in which applicant was called upon to evaluate medical evidence and information concerning disability.Function of Work:

To conduct judicial hearings in an assigned district (or region of the state) by presiding over disputed workers' compensation claims in a judicial capacity rendering final appealable judgments in these claims and has full administrative responsibility in his/her assigned district in the State.

Level of Work:

Supervisor.

Supervision Received:

Broad direction from a Workers' Compensation Judge--Assistant Chief or higher level authority.

Supervision Exercised:

Line over lower ranking attorneys, professional/paraprofessional legal staff, clerical support staff, and contract professional services employees.

Location of Work:

Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation.

Job Distinctions:

Differs from other positions within the Office of Workers' Compensation by the responsibility for conducting and presiding over judicial proceedings, supervision exercised, and having full administrative responsibility for a specific district in the State.

Differs from other Administrative Law Judge Specialist and other attorney jobs by supervisory responsibility, responsibility for deciding workers' compensation cases, statutory experience requirements, and finality of judgments.

Decides entitlement and level of workers' compensation benefits to be paid in disputed claims, and determines the percentage of workers' disabilities according to the Workers' Compensation Act.

Conducts trials on the merits concerning entitlement to benefits as defined by state or federal law or regulation and ensures that proceedings guarantee due process to all parties. This includes determinations of whether the jurisdiction to hear the claim is properly in state or federal court.

Analyzes pleadings in preparation for trials and other hearings. Determines appropriate action to be taken in connections with motions, evidentiary objections and legal procedural matters either informally (prior to trial or hearing) or formally (at the trial or hearing.)

Prepares for trials or hearings by reading files, depositions, interrogatories and other pre-filed exhibits, and by reviewing investigative reports and surveillance and audio/visual media.

Renders judgments by considering judgments and reasons of other Workers' Compensation Judges, appellate court and Louisiana Supreme Court decisions and authoritative texts.

May administer oaths and examines witnesses. Rules on motions and admissibility of evidence according to the rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law and equity, considers and resolves the issues of law and fact raised in the trials or hearings of contested workers' compensation claims.

Reviews and considers testimony in detail, determines credibility and weight of evidence in making findings of fact, applies facts to the law, interprets and applies applicable state and federal statutes, and renders conclusion of law.

Drafts formal written judgments (setting forth facts, applicable law, and reasons for judgment) in a form suitable for review by a state appellate court and to be preserved for consideration by other Workers' Compensation Judges, employers, attorneys and insurers or other interested members of the public.

Reviews Motions for New Trial.

Makes a complete record of the proceeding to include therein all relevant and material matters, including exhibits necessary for review by a state appellate court.

Approves request for appellate court writ or appeal and sets appropriate amount of appellate court bond. Reviews requests for extension of time to prepare appellate court transcript and/or to lodge appeal at appellate court or to pay appellate court bond. Reviews request to dismiss appellate court appeal for failure to timely pay bond or estimated appeal costs. Determines pauper status of appellant and may dismiss appeal for failure to pay appellate costs.

Manages the entire Hearing Staff in a district office for the operation of running a court. Related duties include overseeing the process of filing a claim and the approval of a settlement agreement, to mediation between the parties in a claim, to pre-trial Hearings and trials, and to the appeal lodged with the appellate court. Makes recommendations for hiring and dismissing personnel.

Exercises contempt authority pursuant to Title 23:1310.7