Industrial Commission District Hearing Officer - PN 20065808 - Portsmouth

State of Ohio • Portsmouth, OH

44d • Hybrid

About The Position

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace. This position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39). The selection process involves an assessment including a computer-based test, written test, and in-person structured interview at the William Green Building in Columbus, Ohio. Travel may be required, necessitating the ability to provide personal transportation or legally operate a state-owned vehicle. The hourly wage is not negotiable; new employees start at the listed hourly rate, with potential for salary increases within one year and annually thereafter. Internal applicants will be processed according to legislation or the OCSEA/AFSCME Contract. The Industrial Commission is committed to accessibility and reasonable accommodation under the ADA. A criminal background check is required for the final candidate. Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State committed to being a model employer of individuals with disabilities. Admission to the Ohio Bar is required pursuant to Section 4121.34 ORC. The Industrial Commission's mission is to serve injured workers and Ohio employers by resolving contested workers' compensation claims and establishing adjudication policy. While the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) provides benefits, the Industrial Commission (IC) adjudicates contested claims. The Portsmouth District Office is seeking experienced licensed attorneys, preferably with Ohio workers’ compensation experience, who are customer-focused and can professionally handle a high volume of first-level administrative hearings. Hearing Officers must follow policies, travel to OIC offices, and manage time efficiently. They conduct hearings in person and online from twelve office locations, collectively handling over 87,000 hearings annually. All district and staff-level Hearing Officers are licensed attorneys who independently manage their caseloads and write decisions.

Requirements

• Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4121.34 ORC.
• Licensed attorney.
• Experienced licensed attorneys, preferably with Ohio workers’ compensation experience.
• Customer focused.
• Able to professionally handle a high volume of work adjudicating first level administrative hearings.
• Willing to follow policies and procedures.
• Able to travel to OIC offices.
• Manage time efficiently.
• Must be able to provide his/her own transportation &/or legally operate a state-owned vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Preferably with Ohio workers’ compensation experience.

Responsibilities

• Under general supervision in assigned Regions/Districts, prepares for, conducts, & issues orders from administrative hearings on Workers’ Compensation claims.
• Hears claims on the issues of allowance, payment of compensation, payment of medical bills, determination of percentage of permanent partial disability, & any other contested claim matter except those over which the Industrial Commission (OIC) or its Staff Hearing Officers have original jurisdiction.
• Ensures all proceedings are conducted in a fair & legal manner.
• Performs legal research into difficult questions with regard to Workers’ Compensation; participates in depositions.
• Completes miscellaneous assignments made by the Regional Managers or any member of the OIC.
• Provides training to new Hearing Officers & Legal Interns.
• Conducts second level hearings in the absence of Staff Hearing Officers.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree