Closing Date: 16th September, 2026
Description:
Would you like an impactful position within the State of Utah? The State of Utah Labor Commission is looking for an experienced attorney to fill an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) vacancy in the Adjudication Division.This is a hybrid work position requiring a minimum of two days in our downtown Salt Lake City office.
You will serve as an ALJ and will maintain a caseload of workers' compensation claims, contested workplace safety cases, employment and housing discrimination claims, and contested cases in which employers have been penalized for failure to maintain workers' compensation coverage. This is a writing and research-intensive position. You will be required to read medical records and issue decisions in a timely manner (60 days).
Key Responsibilities:
Day-to-day responsibilities of this position:
- Conducting formal administrative hearings.
- Presiding over witness examinations and considering testimony and evidence that is presented. Issuing written orders, making rulings, and/or adjudicating administrative cases.
- Ruling on the admissibility of evidence, evaluating evidence, and making decisions on cases.
- Making final judgment with responsibility for the decision, including defending the decision in any legal proceedings.
- Explaining hearing procedures to litigants, attorneys, and others. Resolving procedural issues such as requests for continuances, as well as discovery issues.
- Issuing subpoenas, holding pre-hearing conferences, and approving settlement agreements.
- Providing consultation, making recommendations, giving appropriate advice, and/or facilitating decisions.
The ideal candidate:
We are looking for an attorney with:
- Experience applying the law to the facts of the case, and issuing legally sufficient decisions in a timely manner.
- The ability to be neutral/impartial, open-minded, and courteous with parties.
- Exceptional writing and case management skills.
- An inquisitive nature and open to continuously learning.
- The ability to get along well with peers and respect all coworkers as equals.
- A willingness to be mentored and enthusiastically accept tutelage.
- Strong analytical, communication, and legal skills.
Qualifications:
Minimum or "day-one" qualifications:
- This is a hybrid work position requiring a minimum of two days in our downtown Salt Lake City office.
- A Juris Doctorate and active membership in the Utah State Bar are required.
At least three years of experience as a practicing attorney, and significant experience in the following areas:
- Litigation and trial.
- Administrative hearings.
- Utah Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA) and administrative rules.
- A strong preference will be given to applicants with significant experience presiding over formal administrative law hearings in Utah.
- A strong preference will also be given to applicants with significant experience presiding over formal administrative hearings in workers' compensation law, occupational safety and health law, and/or employment law.
About the role:
Location –
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111
United States
Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
Drug Test Required – No
Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service
Why You Should Join Our Team
In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:
The Adjudication Division provides a unique opportunity to work in a group environment with six ALJs. This great team allows for each ALJ to discuss legal concepts with the group and receive mentoring in the necessary areas of the law.
The Agency
Utah's workforce is one of its most valuable resources. The Labor Commission is responsible for ensuring safety and fairness in the workplace and fairness in housing. In addition to Administration, there are five divisions within the Labor Commission:
Qualifications:
(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position):
Supplemental Information:
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111
United States
Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
Drug Test Required – No
Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service
Why You Should Join Our Team
In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:
- Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
- Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
- Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
- Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.
The Agency
Utah's workforce is one of its most valuable resources. The Labor Commission is responsible for ensuring safety and fairness in the workplace and fairness in housing. In addition to Administration, there are five divisions within the Labor Commission:
- Adjudication
- Antidiscrimination and Labor (UALD)
- Boiler, Elevator, and Coal Mine Safety
- Industrial Accidents
- Utah Occupational Safety and Health (UOSH)
Qualifications:
(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position):
- Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and/or policies and procedures.
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to develop and/or implement new policies, procedures, standards, and/or rules.
- Knowledge of principles, theories, and practice of administrative rulemaking.
- Ability and experience in facilitating or leading hearings, meetings, teams, or work groups to encourage participation.
- Experience with principles, theories, rules, and procedures of judicial or administrative law.
- Ability to speak clearly, concisely, and effectively, with English fluency.
- Ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely in writing, English fluency.
- Experience in speaking before groups of people.
- Ability to build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among stakeholders, including attorneys, pro se litigants, witnesses, legislators, employees from other State agencies, etc.
- Ability to deal with parties and cases ethically, fairly, and in a manner that shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism.
Supplemental Information:
- Top applicants will be required to participate in a writing exercise.
- Job classification: Administrative Law Judge II (#85016).
- Please note, a position's eligibility for remote work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion at any time and for any reason.
- Effective July 1, 2021, in-state work rules require all work to be performed while physically within the state's borders.
- Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
- Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
- DHRM rules apply for promotions/transfers.
