WC Hearing Officer 1/2

ATTENTION ALL APPLICANTS! The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Workers Compensation, is recruiting for a Workers Compensation Hearing Officer 1/2 located in Anchorage! This position is in the General Government Unit (GGU) at a Range 21/22.
What You Will Be Doing: Workers' Compensation Hearing Officers are responsible for serving as designated chairs on Alaska Workers' Compensation Board hearing panels.
They work under the general direction of the Chief of Adjudications and have the authority to preside over formal hearings, control procedures, make rulings on evidence admissibility, and apply and interpret relevant statutes and regulations.
In addition, they analyze legal issues, evaluate both lay and expert testimony, and deliberate with other panel members to decide claims and petitions.
The officers then draft decisions and orders that are satisfactory to the majority of the panel and legally sufficient to survive appellate review.
They also hold pre-hearings, conduct mediations, and evaluate settlement agreements.
This is a flexibly staffed position which means that it can be filled at either the 1 or 2 level, depending on the applicant's training and experience.
If the position is filled at the lower level, the employee will be assigned increasingly complex cases to develop their skills and knowledge to perform at the higher level.
Once the employee hired at the lower level demonstrates proficiency at the higher level and meets the minimum qualifications, they will be promoted to the higher range.
Our Organization, Mission and Culture: The Workers’ Compensation system operates similarly to a court system, with the intent to ensure the quick, efficient, fair, and predictable delivery of indemnity and medical benefits to injured workers at a reasonable cost to employers.
This position plays a critical role in resolving disputes.
The Benefits of Joining Our Team: Workers' Compensation is a fascinating and intricate area of the law.
The Division's hearing officer positions are highly rewarding and fulfilling, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
The Working Environment You Can Expect: Our office is located in the midtown area, conveniently close to various restaurants and shops.
We offer ample free parking, and the building is solely occupied by Department of Labor and Workforce Development employees.
Who We Are Looking For: Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.
Integrity/Honesty: Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner.
Shows consistency in words and actions.
Models high standards of ethics.
Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
Minimum Qualifications Workers Compensation Hearing Officer Level 1: A Juris Doctor from a college of law accredited by the American Bar Association.
Special Note: In accordance with AS 44.
62.
350(b) and (c), successful candidates must have been admitted to practice law for at least two years immediately before appointment to a position in this job class.
Workers Compensation Hearing Officer Level 2: A Juris Doctor from a college of law accredited by the American Bar Association.
AND EITHER One year of experience as a Workers' Compensation Hearing Officer 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent in another U.
S.
jurisdiction.
OR One year of experience as an advocate representing workers or employers before the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board or the equivalent in another U.
S.
jurisdiction.
OR Two years of experience as an Administrative Law Judge or Hearing Officer with the State of Alaska.
Special Note: In accordance with AS 44.
62.
350(b) and (c), successful candidates must have been admitted to practice law for at least two years immediately before appointment to a position in this job class.
Additional Required Information **PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS & INFORMATION CAREFULLY** ONGOING POSTING NOTICE The applicant pool(s) for this position will be reviewed regularly for qualified applicants.
This recruitment may be closed early if a qualified applicant is found before the closing date.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.
LEGAL EMPLOYMENT The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States.
It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment.
The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.
COVER LETTER A cover letter is required for this position.
The cover letter should highlight how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the level you are interested in and how you meet the desired competencies listed in the job posting above.
Applicants who do not attach the required cover letter will not advance to the interview phase of this recruitment.
The cover letter may be used as a writing sample.
Applicants are advised to pay particular attention to spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application, email it to the contact provided in the job posting (if email is not an option, please call the contact person to obtain a fax number).
Your cover letter will be used to help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.
FLEXIBLY STAFFED This position is flexibly staffed.
This vacancy may be filled at either level depending on the applicant's training and/or experience.
Please respond to all of the minimum qualification questions.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW Educational transcript(s) Two (2) writing samples Last two (2) performance evaluations CLASSIFICATION STUDY NOTICE This position is currently undergoing review as a part of the Workers Compensation Hearing Officer job class study and therefore both the title and the pay range assigned may be subject to change upon the completion of the study.
APPLICATION NOTICE You can ONLY apply for this position through Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy (paper) application.
If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to successfully apply.
Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska “How to Apply” page.
Omission of any required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.
If you’re experiencing problems attaching to your application, or if you simply had forgotten, you may email it to the contact provided below before 5:00 pm of the closing date.
Any documents submitted after the posting has closed will not be considered.
EDUCATION If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application.
If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed.
Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position.
Transcripts must be attached at the time of application or submitted to the contact information below prior to the close of recruitment.
If you’re unable to attach to your application, email it to the contact provided in the job posting.
If email is not an option, please call the contact person to obtain a fax number.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable.
If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.
S.
education programs; or an accredited U.
S.
state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university.
It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
WORK EXPERIENCE If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time.
Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met.
If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.
Note: Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety.
Noting, “see resume” or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.
BARGAINING UNIT If you are a current state employee, please mark the union you are a member of at the time of application.
If you are not a current state employee, you must mark that it does not apply to you.
MULTIPLE VACANCIES This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy.
The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.
NOTICE Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465- 4095.
If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the 'govermentjobs.
com' domains.
For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.
com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.
governmentjobs.
com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword EEO STATEMENT The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.
O.
Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201.
The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.
WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area.
Requests for information may also be emailed to: recruitment.
services@alaska.
gov For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.
governmentjobs.
com/js_lostpswd.
cfm?&topheader=alaska Contact Information Alexis Hildebrand Administrative Officer 2 Phone: (907) 465-6059 alexis.
hildebrand@alaska.
gov Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefitsThe following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska.
Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.
For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits.
(Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.
)Insurance Benefits Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://doa.
alaska.
gov/drb/programs/index.
html for additional information.
AVTEC Confidential Correctional Officers Marine Engineers Mt.
Edgecumbe Teachers Supervisory Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining) The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts.
Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
General Government Labor, Trades and Crafts Public Safety Employees Association Masters, Mates & Pilots Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)Optional Insurance Benefits Group-based insurance premiums for Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents) Long-term and short-term disability Accidental Death and Dismemberment Long-term care (self and eligible family members) Supplemental Survivor Benefits Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expensesRetirement Benefits Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees) Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees) Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment optionsSee https://doa.
alaska.
gov/drb/retirement/index.
html for additional information Paid Leave & Other Benefits Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served Eleven paid holidays a year