Workers Compensation Hearing Officer 1/2 (PCN 073059)

Full Job Description

This recruitment is exempt from the Hiring Freeze (Administrative Order 358).

ATTENTION ALASKA RESIDENTS!

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Workers Compensation, is recruiting for a
Workers Compensation Hearing Officer 1/2 located in Anchorage!
No Cover Letter Required!

This position is in the General Government Unit (GGU) at a Range 22/24.

What You Will Be Doing:
Workers’ Compensation Hearing Officers serve as designated chairs on Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board hearing panels, exercising independent judgment under the general direction of the Chief of Adjudications. They preside over formal, quasi-judicial hearings; manage evidentiary and procedural matters; rule on admissibility; and apply and interpret Alaska statutes, regulations, and case law. Hearing Officers analyze complex legal and factual issues, assess lay and expert testimony, and deliberate with panel members to resolve contested claims and petitions. They author detailed, well-reasoned decisions and orders that reflect the majority of the panel and are legally sufficient to withstand appellate review. Hearing Officers also conduct pre-hearings, facilitate settlement discussions and mediations, and evaluate settlement agreements for legal adequacy and fairness.

This is a flexibly staffed position and may be filled at the Hearing Officer 1 or 2 level based on qualifications. Individuals hired at the lower level are assigned increasingly complex matters and may be promoted to the higher level upon demonstrating proficiency and meeting minimum qualifications.

Our Mission, Values, and Culture:
Alaska’s Workers’ Compensation system functions as an administrative court, designed to deliver timely, fair, and predictable resolution of disputes involving workplace injuries. Hearing Officers play a central role in safeguarding due process, ensuring statutory compliance, and maintaining public confidence in the adjudicatory system.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:
This position offers a rare opportunity to serve in a high-impact adjudicatory role while maintaining work-life balance. Workers’ compensation law is a sophisticated and evolving practice area that blends statutory interpretation, evidentiary analysis, and administrative procedure. Hearing Officers engage in meaningful public service by resolving disputes that directly affect injured workers and employers across Alaska. The position supports professional growth through increasingly complex adjudicatory work and long-term career stability. Flexible scheduling and telework options may be available based on operational needs.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:
This position is based in a professional office environment in midtown, with convenient access to amenities and ample free parking. Work primarily involves legal analysis, hearings, and decision writing, with limited travel as required.

Who We Are Looking For:
We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

• Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court and administrative procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, and government regulations and agency rules.
• Integrity/Honesty: Demonstrates sound judgment, impartiality, and ethical decision-making; maintains independence and fairness in adjudicatory proceedings.
• Interpersonal Skills: Communicates professionally and respectfully with parties, attorneys, witnesses, and colleagues; manages high-conflict or emotionally charged proceedings with tact and composure.
• Writing: Produces clear, well-organized, and persuasive written decisions; effectively communicates complex legal reasoning to diverse audiences.

To view the general description and example of duties for the position, please go to the following link:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Requirements

Workers Compensation Hearing Officer Level 1:A Juris Doctor from a college of law accredited by the American Bar Association.Workers Compensation Hearing Officer Level 2:A Juris Doctor from a college of law accredited by the American Bar Association.AND EITHEROne year of experience as a Workers' Compensation Hearing Officer 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent in another U.S.

jurisdiction.OROne year of experience as an advocate representing workers or employers before the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board or the equivalent in another U.S.

jurisdiction.ORTwo 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.

Qualifications

**PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS & INFORMATION CAREFULLY**

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLYThis recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only.

Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements in order to be considered for employment at this time.FLEXIBLY STAFFEDThis position is flexibly staffed.

This vacancy may be filled at either level, depending on the applicant's training and/or experience. The full range of salaries is listed above.

Starting salary will be determined by the level the position is hired at.

If filled at Level 1, promotion to the Level 2 will occur upon successful completion of the probationary period and required training, as well as the applicant meeting the minimum qualifications of the higher job class.LEGAL EMPLOYMENTThe 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.APPLICATION NOTICEYou 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.EDUCATIONIf 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 EDUCATIONEducation 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 EXPERIENCEIf using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment, 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 UNITIf 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 VACANCIESThis 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.NOTICEQuestions 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/ResetPasswordEEO STATEMENTThe 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 & ASSISTANCEQuestions 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

Additional Information

Alexis Hildebrand
Administrative Operations Manager
Phone: 907-465-6059
alexis.hildebrand@alaska.gov