Administrative Law Judge

Job Description And Duties

The Administrative Law Judge adjudicates administrative hearings for Cal-OSHA appeals. Presides over and conducts hearings pertaining to appeal of employer citations in either a video-conferencing setting or in-person. Regulates the course of the hearing, instructs the parties of their rights and responsibilities, administers oaths to witnesses and language interpreters and listens to witnesses' testimony. Serves as an impartial adjudicator, takes notes during the course of the hearing and rules on parties' motions either verbally or in written form. Establishes scheduling for further proceedings and researches applicable law pertaining to workplace health and safety. Drafts and finalizes the ALJ decision in accordance to the Appeals Board policies and procedures.

Takes an active part in assisting parties to seek appeal resolution prior to hearing while presiding over pre-hearing conferences, status conferences and settlement conferences. Rules in a timely fashion on the pre-hearing motions in order to inform parties of appeal status. Prepares written or verbal orders using email, U.S, mail or telephone, when necessary, in response to parties' requests. Prepares and issues timely settlement orders using OASIS case management and scheduling system to finalize the parties’ terms of a negotiated agreement, thereby closing the case.

Attends ALJ trainings by either media platforms or in-person as necessary. The ALJ will participate in monthly ALJ meetings to discuss procedural issues and ethical considerations. The incumbent will attend in-person stakeholder meetings as required in order to develop information on administrative court procedures and best practices. Performs other duties associated with the adjudication of appeals, including the preparation of special reports, performing legal research or participating in special meetings.

Under the general direction the Supervising Administrative Law Judge, the incumbent is responsible for adjudicating Cal-OSHA appeals. The cases are assigned randomly by the Appeals Board OASIS case management and scheduling system. The work primarily consists of conducting status, pre-hearing and settlement conferences. Most ALJ positions conduct one to two hearings per month.

There is only one position that may be filled in either Sacramento or West Covina. If you are interested in the position at more than one location, please submit a separate application for each job control.

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

• 249.3
  
  

To be considered for this 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=1507

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

Working Conditions

The position is located at:

The Department of Industrial Relations

Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board, Sacramento office

300 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95833

The position is a full-time permanent position requiring the incumbent to work a minimum of 40 hours per week in an office setting. Air conditioned, semi high-rise building with elevator access in an office with natural and artificial lighting. The incumbent will use a personal computer or laptop to access case law, Board cases and a specialized Board electronic case management and calendar system (OASIS) to develop decisions and orders.

The office is located close to I-5, I-80 and the Sacramento International Airport. Part-time telework opportunities are available. Be part of the Appeals Board management team and help improve the working environments of California employees

Special Requirements

To meet the minimum requirements of the job, candidates must be a member of the California State Bar organization. Experience in the "practice of law" or "performing legal duties" or "legal experience" is defined as only that legal experience acquired after admission to a State Bar. The incumbent must also meet the requirements as defined in the CalHR Classification Specification Minimum Qualifications.

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: 4/24/2026

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 required and must be included.
  
  

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.

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.