05/28/2002 70175

WORKERS' COMPENSATION ADJUDICATION DIRECTOR

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible administrative and quasi-judicial work in the adjudication of Workers' Compensation matters, including occupational disease issues.

The employee in this class manages a statewide program of adjudication of disputed Workers' Compensation matters, oversees and develops policy for the rendering of decisions in accordance with Commonwealth laws, and monitors the final arbitration of the facts in disputed Workers' Compensation matters. Work involves supervising and evaluating the performance of Workers' Compensation Judge Managers, monitoring statewide compliance with the provisions of the Codes of Conduct established for Workers' Compensation Judges and with other applicable codes and regulations, and insuring the efficient and effective administration of statewide regions, each containing a number of judges' offices. Work also involves providing training and guidance to Judge Managers and evaluating the management of their regions, including how they manage complaints and render decisions and recommendations on formal grievances. Work is performed within the framework of existing laws, regulations and policies but considerable latitude exists for individual discretion. Work is subject to administrative supervision and policy oversight by the Deputy Secretary for Compensation and Insurance.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews the conduct of quasi-judicial hearings on Workers' Compensation matters where decisions are rendered based on documentary evidence and testimony in accordance with governing laws and regulations.

Monitors compliance of Judge Managers and Judges with the provisions of the Code of Conduct for the Workers' Compensation Judges and with other applicable codes and regulations.

Develops policy on adjudicative matters.

Analyzes administrative operations and problems.

Prepares detailed and comprehensive reports of administrative findings and recommendations.

Implements procedural or policy changes.

Communicates with higher level Department executives, legislative and judicial officials, the media, insurance and work force officials, and the general public.

Represents the Deputy Secretary for Compensation and Insurance and the Secretary of Labor and Industry on Workers' Compensation Adjudication matters.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the Workers' Compensation Act and other applicable laws and the special rules of administrative practices and procedures before Judges.

Knowledge of the rules of evidence and of the procedures to be followed in the conduct of quasi-judicial hearings.

Knowledge of the applicable Pennsylvania case law as interpreted by the Commonwealth Court and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania pertaining to Pennsylvania's Workmen's Compensations and Occupational Disease laws.

Knowledge of work force management and supervisory practices and concepts.

Ability to identify and analyze issues, evaluate evidence, and perform legal research to apply both statutory and case laws during the review of adjudication decisions on Workers' Compensation matters.

Ability to provide training and guidance to subordinate Judge Managers.

Ability to plan, organize, assign work, evaluate the performance of and prepare employee performance evaluation reports of Judge Managers.

Ability to apply the provisions of collective bargaining contracts as they apply to employees in the work force.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with government executives, legislative and judicial officials, the media, other interested parties and the general public. Ability to write in a clear, concise and persuasive manner, in corresponding with interested parties regarding workers' compensation adjudication matters.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience as a Workers' Compensation Judge Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                               or

Five years of Workers' Compensation practice before administrative agencies, or equivalent experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Be an attorney in good standing before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.