Job Posting: Presiding Workers’ Compensation Judge

Department of Industrial Relations

JC-528102
-
Presiding Workers’ Compensation Judge
SUPERVISING ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

$12,170.00 - $16,813.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 8/25/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Associate Chief Judge and Chief Judge, the Supervising Administrative Law Judge supervises the staff and is responsible for the operation of a district office of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board but not including the merits of the judicial decisions of the judges; presides as a judicial officer over hearings under Workers’ Compensation Law; and does other related work within the Division of Workers' Compensation. The Supervising Administrative Law Judge must adhere to the California Code of Judicial Ethics.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Supervising Administrative Law Judge job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2764

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position is located in: San Jose

The duties of this job are performed indoors most of the time. The employee works in the DWC Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. The employee’s work area is equipped with standard office equipment. Attend meetings in designated conference rooms and be willing to travel for off-site meeting/trainings, work in a team environment and independently.

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (40-hour work week)

We offer a hybrid work schedule in accordance with DIR’s telework policy.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-528102
Position #(s):
400-678-6017-022
Working Title:
Presiding Workers’ Compensation Judge
Classification:
SUPERVISING ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
$12,170.00 - $16,813.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Santa Clara County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) was established in 1927. Its mission is to improve working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR administers and enforces laws governing wages, workplace safety and health, apprenticeship training programs, and medical care and other benefits for injured workers. DIR also publishes materials and holds workshops and seminars to promote healthy employment relations, conducts research to improve its programs, and coordinates with other agencies to target egregious violators of labor laws and tax laws in the underground economy.

Electronic Submission of Applications preferred. Application Packages maybe submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at https://jobs.ca.gov/ Applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on or before the above final filing date.

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions” section below and ensure the following:

Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

  • Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (cert, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.
  • Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.
  • Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.
Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

Membership (active or inactive) in the State Bar of California is required.

 

1. One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Administrative Law Judge. or

 

2. Five years of experience in the active practice of law or performing legal duties, including appellate practice. This experience must either have included or been supplemented by two years in work regularly requiring the interpretation and application of Workers' Compensation Law.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 8/25/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Industrial Relations
Cert Mailing Address Sacramento
Attn: Human Resources/Certs Unit
1416 9th Street, 13th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Industrial Relations
Cert Drop Off Address Sacramento
Human Resources/Certs Unit
1416 9th Street, 13th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
1. Knowledge of principles and provisions of the Labor Code pertaining to Workers’ Compensation insurance and safety.
2. Knowledge of leading court decisions on California Workers’ Compensation Law.
3. Knowledge of principles of Personnel Management.
4. Knowledge of principles of effective supervision and training.
5. Knowledge of how to conduct court proceedings.
6. Knowledge of Rules of evidence governing Workers’ Compensation proceedings.
7. Knowledge of laws relating to serving notices, taking depositions, and issuing subpoenas.
8. Knowledge of Medical, physiological, anatomical, and occupational terminology in relation to cases of industrial injury.
9. Knowledge of procedure before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board
10. Knowledge of legal research methods.
11. Knowledge of manager’s/supervisor’s responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion.
12. Knowledge of maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
13. Knowledge of the California Code of Judicial Ethics.
14. Knowledge of California State Human Resources rules, regulations, and policies.

1. Excellent writing skills to prepare comprehensive reports and summaries.
2. Excellent legal research skills to research applicable laws pertaining to a workers’ compensation case or departmental personnel policies.
3. Understanding laws, rules, and statutes and their application to a particular case in order to render just and fair decisions in Workers’ Compensation cases.
4. Excellent listening skills to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.
5. Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.
6. Excellent mediation skills to bring people together and reconcile differences.
7. Skill to analyze issues/problems arising in an office.
8. Skills to resolve issues that arise in an office.
9. Skills to understand computer programs and work with the programs.
10. 10, Skills in leading a team and managing large volumes of work including redirecting work where needed.
11. Patience.
12. Interpersonal skills to interact with multiple staff members and members of the community.
13. Organizational skills to be able to prioritize what needs to be done in the office and meet all deadlines.

1. Plans, organizes, prioritize and directs the work of a staff of Workers’ Compensation Judges and supporting personnel.
2. Experience in evaluating personnel performance.
3. Experience in conducting hearings in a manner that will obtain all pertinent evidence and secure the confidence and respect of all parties.
4. Experience with analyzing and appraising legal problems and applying legal principles and precedents to a particular sets of facts.
5. Experience making summaries of evidence, findings, awards, orders, and other legal documents relating to compensation litigation.
6. Experience performing legal research.
7. Experience with analyzing situations accurately and taking effective action.
8. Experience with communicating effectively.
9. Experience with effectively promoting equal opportunity in employment and maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
10. Ability to implement and enforce departmental policies.
11. Ability to maintain a good relationship with the community and address their concerns.
12. Ability to maintain proper documentation and confidentiality.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits.
• Paid Sick and Vacation.
• 11 Paid State Holidays.
• Alternate/Modified Work Schedule.
• 401(k), 457 and Roth IRA Plans.
• Retirement. (CalPERS)
• Employee Assistance Program. (EAP)
• Medical and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts.
• Pre-Tax Parking Program.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Certifications Unit
(800) 564-0771
cert@dir.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Diversity and Inclusion Office
(916) 559-6999
DIO@dir.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at (800) 564-0771.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

DIR Mission and Core Values

Our mission is to protect and improve the welfare and working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR is also committed to ensuring that all employers comply with labor laws in California to support a fair and thriving business environment.

Integrity - We fulfill the promise of our mission through fair, honest and ethical behavior.

Service - We are committed to responsibly serving the public and value their trust.

Respect - We treat others with dignity, courtesy and consideration.

Quality - We take pride in providing the public with accurate and timely services.

Transparency - We conduct ourselves with openness and accountability in all aspects of our work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job