What are the responsibilities and job description for the Workers Compensation Appeals Board Member position at Kansas Department of Labor?
Position Summary & Responsibilities: Workers Compensation Appeals Board Member
The Workers Compensation Appeals Board is seeking a highly qualified legal professional to serve as a Board Member responsible for reviewing and adjudicating appeals arising under the Kansas Workers Compensation Act. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the fair, consistent, and legally sound resolution of complex workers compensation disputes.
Board Members review and adjudicate appeals from decisions issued by Administrative Law Judges. Duties include examining evidentiary records, pleadings, motions, transcripts, exhibits, and applicable legal authority to determine appropriate appellate outcomes.
Responsibilities also include conducting independent legal analysis involving statutory interpretation, evidentiary standards, procedural compliance, and case-specific legal issues. Board Members draft, review, and issue written orders, opinions, and decisions that clearly articulate findings, legal reasoning, and conclusions.
The position requires application of Kansas statutes, administrative regulations, case law, and established precedent to ensure consistent, legally defensible outcomes. Decisions must be issued in a timely manner consistent with statutory requirements and agency expectations.
Strong legal writing skills are essential. Successful candidates must be able to produce clear, concise, and well-reasoned written decisions that effectively explain how legal conclusions are reached and supported by the record and applicable law.
Additional responsibilities include conducting advanced legal research related to workers compensation law, administrative law, procedural matters, and emerging legal developments; reviewing appellate court decisions and legislative changes affecting workers compensation adjudication; and developing legally sound analyses and opinions that may provide guidance in future matters.
Board Members are expected to maintain subject matter expertise in workers compensation law and administrative adjudication while contributing to the integrity and consistency of the appellate process.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law in the State of Kansas and in good standing with the Kansas Supreme Court.
- 7 years actively practicing law as a lawyer, judge of a court of record or full time teacher of law in an accredited law school and with at least 5 years experience practicing law in the area of workers compensation.
Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated experience in legal writing, including the preparation of appellate opinions, legal memoranda, orders, decisions, or other formal legal documents.
- Experience conducting complex legal research and analysis and exercising sound legal judgment.
- Experience interpreting and applying statutes, administrative regulations, case law, and legal precedent.
- Experience evaluating evidentiary records and analyzing complex legal and factual issues.
- Ability to manage a high-volume caseload, prioritize competing responsibilities, and meet established deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders while maintaining objectivity, impartiality, and professionalism in decision-making.
- Experience maintaining records, tracking deadlines, and managing multiple assignments with attention to detail.
- Ability to research information, prepare correspondence and documentation, and follow established procedures.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with standard office software, including email, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
- Ability to interact professionally with internal staff, employers, and external stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality and accuracy.