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Job Details
Working Title : Assistant Chief Judge – Workers’ Compensation
Job Class: Judge Supervisor
Agency: Office of Administrative Hearings
- Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
- Date Posted: 03/17/2023
- Closing Date: 04/06/2023
- Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Office of Administrative Hearings
- Division/Unit: Workers’ Compensation
- Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, ability to work a flexible schedule
- Days of Work: Monday – Friday
- Travel Required: Yes
- Salary Range: $81.07 / hourly; $169,274 / annually
- Classified Status: Classified
- TeleworkEligible:Yes
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities :Yes
Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans
The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.
Job Summary
The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is seeking applicants to serve as an Assistant Chief Judge, which includes both presiding as a workers’ compensation judge and providing supervision to a team of workers’ compensation judges.
OAH provides high-quality hearings and dispute resolution services across Minnesota. Our work increases public accountability in the actions of state agencies and local units of government, and ensures the effective resolution of disputed claims for workers’ compensation benefits.
Decisions in our Workers’ Compensation Division are subject to review only by appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals and by the Minnesota Supreme Court by writ of certiorari. This is a hybrid work opportunity; employees work a minimum of four (4) days in the office per pay period (every 2 weeks).
Core Responsibilities:
- Serve as a workers’ compensation judge AND perform all supervisory functions related to a team of workers’ compensation judges.
- Act in accordance with the Code of Judicial Conduct and applicable statutory codes of ethics.
- Research, understand, interpret, apply and explain relevant law in complex legal and factual settings.
- Conduct fair and impartial hearings in complex, adversarial cases in accordance with governing laws and rules.
- Resolve issues of law and fact based upon the application of sound, supported legal reasoning to facts based upon evidence in the hearing record.
- Engage in clear, respectful oral communication.
- Prepare clear, concise and easily understandable written decisions and orders.
- Supervise, plan, motivate and provide leadership to judges within the work unit.
- Work cooperatively with OAH leadership to continuously improve and maintain efficiency and quality across court operations.
- Establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and respectful relationships with diverse people.
- Maintain license to practice law in the State of Minnesota.
IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSTING: ApplicantsMUST
- Complete the online application available at http://www.mn.gov/careers .
- Upload a cover letter and resume that :
- Describes the nature of your law practice
- Describes any experience as a supervisor
- Lists any awards or other recognitions you received
- Describes any pro bono legal activities
- Lists current and past memberships/activities in law and/or professional associations
- Describes any specialized training in workers’ compensation laws, alternative dispute resolution, and intercultural competency
- Describes any teaching you have done in law school, continuing legal education, or other professional education programs
- Lists any articles or publications you have written after law school
- Lists any significant community activities
- Submit a legal writing sample of no more than eight (8) pages in length via email toJill.S.Melzarek@state.mn.us
All documents requiredMUSTbe received no later than the close of this posting.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
- Current licensure in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota
- Demonstrated knowledge of workers’ compensation laws
- Demonstrated legal writing skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Supervisory experience
- Litigation experience
- Mediator or arbitrator experience
- Experience as a judge in an administrative setting
- Ability to uphold judicial temperament, which requires compassion, decisiveness, open-mindedness, courtesy, patience, freedom from bias, and commitment to equal justice under the law
- Demonstrated commitment to community and public service
- Intercultural competency
Additional Requirements
It is the policy of the Office of Administrative Hearings that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:
- SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past state employees only)
- Criminal History Check
- Employment Reference Check
- Court Records Check
Application Details
How to Apply
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers .
If you have questions about the position, contact Jill Melzarek at jill.s.melzarek@state.mn.us or 651-361-7834 .
To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Jill Melzarek at jill.s.melzarek@state.mn.us .
About the Office of Administrative Hearings
The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is an energetic, responsive, and respected service provider to Minnesotans, state and local governments, and the workers’ compensation system.OAH is the largest of three Executive Branch Courts with over sixty full-time equivalents located in St. Paul and Duluth. OAH, with 30 judges, is comparable in size to the Ramsey County District Court with 32 judges.OAH serves over 250 state agencies and local units of government by hearing and adjudicating matters involving over 200 unique areas of law. Each year,10,000 new workers’ compensation casesare filed at OAH, involving7,500 workersand their employers, insurers, and medical providers.
Why Work for Us
Diverse Workforce
We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.
A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:
- 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
- 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
- 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
- 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule
Comprehensive Benefits
Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:
- Public pension plan
- Training and professional development
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 11 paid holidays each year
- Paid parental leave
- Low-cost medical and dental coverage
- Prescription drug coverage
- Vision coverage
- Wellness programs and resources
- Employer paid life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Health care spending and savings accounts
- Dependent care spending account
- Tax-deferred compensation
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.