Workers' Compensation Division Judge
Office of Workers' Compensation
Division: Hearings
Location: Calcasieu Parish
Position #: 150790
Announcement #: LWC168229-12-20-22CG

Position Information

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.

No Civil Service test score is required in order 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.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities • TDD# 800-259-5154

LWC does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application.*

Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For further information about this vacancy contact:
Charlotte Gautreau
HR Analyst
cgautreau@lwc.la.gov
Louisiana Workforce Commission

Function of Work:
To conduct judicial hearings in assigned partial districts (or region of the state) by presiding over disputed workers' compensation claims in a judicial capacity and to render final appealable judgments in these claims.

Level of Work:
Program Manager.

Supervision Received:
Broad from Worker's Compensation Judge Assistant Chief or higher level authority.

Supervision Exercised:
Direct line over clerical support staff and contract professional services employees. Functional supervision over lower ranking attorneys and professional/para-professional legal staff.

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.

Differs from Workers' Compensation District Judge by the absence of 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.

Handles a regular docket comprised of two partial districts or specific regions of the state.

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 La. Supreme Ct. decisions and authoritative texts.

May administer oaths and examine 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 hearing 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 conclusions 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 requests 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 requests to dismiss appellate court appeal for failure to timely pay bond or estimated appeal costs. Determines pauper status of the appellant and may dismiss appeal for failure to pay appellate costs.

Functionally supervises the performance of the staff in each district while performing his/her duties in each district (programmatic supervision).

Exercises contempt authority pursuant to Title 23:1310.7.