Title: Deputy Commissioner

State Role Title: Salary Non-Specified

Hiring Range: The salary for newly appointed Deputy Commissioners is $151,438.

Pay Band: UG

Agency: VA Workers' Compensation Comm

Location: Richmond, Manassas and Harrisonburg

Agency Website: https://workcomp.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Ready to move from advocating cases to shaping justice?

The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission is seeking experienced attorneys who are ready to take the next step in their legal careers by serving as a Deputy Commissioner—a judicial officer responsible for fairly, impartially, and independently adjudicating workers' compensation disputes while helping resolve complex legal issues that directly impact the lives of Virginia's employees and employers.

This is an exceptional opportunity for attorneys who are passionate about public service, judicial decision-making, and dispute resolution. Deputy Commissioners preside over hearings, evaluate evidence, interpret and apply Virginia law, issue written legal opinions, conduct mediations, and help ensure the fair and efficient administration of justice throughout the Commonwealth.

If you are looking for meaningful legal work where integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment matter every day, we encourage you to apply.

Position Overview

Deputy Commissioners serve as judicial officers of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission responsible for fairly, impartially, and efficiently adjudicating disputed claims arising under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act, the Birth-Related Neurological Injuries Compensation Act, and the Compensating Victims of Crime Act. The role also includes conducting mediations, managing assigned judicial dockets, supervising judicial support staff, and issuing legally sound written decisions that uphold the integrity of the Commission's judicial process.

As a Deputy Commissioner, you will have the opportunity to transition from advocating for one side to serving as a neutral judicial decision-maker. This role offers intellectually challenging legal work, the ability to shape the application of Virginia workers' compensation law through thoughtful written decisions, meaningful public service, and the opportunity to help parties resolve disputes fairly and efficiently.

Office Location Consideration

• Applicants will have the opportunity during the application process to indicate their interest in serving in the Richmond, Manassas, and/or Harrisonburg offices.
• Candidates may be considered for appointment at any of these locations based on their preferences and the Commission's operational needs.

What You'll Do

Conduct Judicial Proceedings

• Preside over evidentiary and on-the-record hearings
• Conduct mediations, settlement conferences, pre-hearing conferences, and show cause proceedings
• Ensure proceedings are conducted fairly, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable law and due process

Evaluate Cases & Issue Decisions

• Review testimony, pleadings, medical and vocational evidence
• Analyze complex legal issues
• Prepare written opinions containing findings of fact and conclusions of law
• Apply statutes, Commission precedent, and judicial ethics to every decision

Manage Your Judicial Docket

• Manage assigned caseloads and hearing schedules
• Rule on procedural and discovery matters
• Respond to inquiries regarding pending proceedings
• Collaborate with Commission leadership to continuously improve judicial operations while maintaining judicial independence

Lead Your Office

• Supervise and mentor a Judicial Assistant
• Support employee development and performance
• Promote professionalism, accountability, and excellent customer service
• Serve as a member of the Commission's leadership team by contributing to agency initiatives and organizational excellence

Telework Structure

• Our agency is currently using a hybrid model for teleworking. Our positions currently are not 100% teleworking. However, we do have a liberal telework policy in place and all candidates would be expected to report to our Headquarters as requested.
• Telework is not guaranteed and is subject to the operational needs of the Commission. Upon hire, candidates should expect to have all training and orientation conducted at the Headquarters Office, or as required.
• Selected candidates who reside outside of Virginia will need to receive Commission approval prior to an offer being finalized.

Work Location

• This position's central workplace is the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission's Richmond Headquarters.
• Employees must be able to report to the Richmond office as required by operational needs.
• Candidates who currently reside outside of Virginia will need Commission approval of their work location prior to an offer being finalized.

Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission Overview

Led by a Senior Leadership team consisting of three Commissioners, an Executive Director, and a Chief Deputy Commissioner. Our mission is to serve injured workers, victims of crimes, employers, and related industries by providing exceptional services, resolving disputes, and faithfully executing the duties entrusted to us by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our vision is to lead the nation as the most effective and innovative state agency.  VWC demonstrate seven core values: innovation, respect, accountability, reliability, impartiality, integrity, and effectiveness.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified state agency that supports Veterans and Members of the Reserves and/or National Guard.  If you are a Veteran or Spouse of a Veteran or Active Military Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.  Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage diversity within our workforce.  Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission does not provide sponsorship for employment.

VWC has been recognized as a Top Workplace for the past several years in the Richmond Region and in the country. It is the recipient of the following awards:

• 2022 - 2026 Top USA Workplace
• 2021 - 2026 Top Workplace Richmond Region
• 2023 - 2025 Top Award for Mid-Sized Companies
• 2022 - 2023 Doers Award
• 2024 Manager’s Award
• 2025 Leadership Award, McGill 

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the active practice of law.
• Member of the Virginia State Bar in good standing.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school or equivalent.
• Extensive knowledge of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act, administrative law, rules of evidence, civil procedure, judicial ethics, legal research methods, mediation techniques, and administrative hearing procedures is required
• Understanding of applicable statutes, regulations, Commission rules, and legal precedent to ensure consistent, accurate, and impartial adjudication of workers' compensation claims.
• Possess the ability to analyze complex legal and factual issues, objectively evaluate testimony and documentary evidence, and prepare clear, comprehensive, and legally sound written opinions and decisions
• Ability to conduct hearings effectively, facilitate dispute resolution and mediation when appropriate, interpret and apply statutes and legal precedent, exercise sound independent judgment, and make timely decisions in accordance with the law.
• Demonstrate exceptional written and verbal communication skills to effectively interact with attorneys, claimants, employers, medical providers, Commission staff, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, impartiality, professionalism, and judicial integrity while managing a demanding caseload is essential.

Additional Considerations

• Significant workers' compensation litigation experience preferred.
• Experience serving as a judge, administrative law judge, hearing officer, or mediator preferred.
• Mediation certification is preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Amy Habel
Phone: 804-205-3571
Email: amy.habel@workcomp.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.