Chief Deputy Workers' Compensation Commissioner
State of IowaAbout the role
Posting number: 26-03127
Department: 427 Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
Job classification: Public Service Manager 2
Posting type: Open
Categories: Administration, Management
Summary
Chief Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner | Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) | Des Moines, Iowa
Shape the Future of Iowa’s Workers’ Compensation System
This role is an opportunity to help define the future of how Iowa delivers fair, timely, and consistent workers’ compensation decisions.
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) is seeking a Chief Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner (Public Service Manager 2) to serve as a key partner to the Commissioner in leading one of the state’s most critical adjudicative systems.
This position offers a rare opportunity to:
- Influence how a division operates and evolves
- Lead a highly skilled judicial team
- Help shape policy, process, and long-term direction
- Play a central role in ensuring due process for Iowans
If you are an experienced attorney looking to expand your impact beyond individual cases, and into leadership, systems, and public service, this role offers that next step.
About DIAL
DIAL protects the health, safety, and well-being of Iowans through education, regulation, and due process. The Workers’ Compensation Division plays a vital role in ensuring fair and efficient resolution of claims that impact workers, employers, and communities across the state.
Why This Role Stands Out
Unlike many leadership roles, this position is not confined to a fixed structure.
- This is a newly defined role, offering the ability to help shape responsibilities, priorities, and team direction
- You will serve as a trusted advisor and operational leader, working closely with the Commissioner
- You will have meaningful influence on process improvement, policy development, and system performance
- Your leadership will directly impact timeliness, consistency, and quality of decisions statewide
This is an opportunity for someone who wants to build, lead, and leave a lasting mark.
What You’ll Do
Lead the Division’s Adjudicative Work
- Oversee hearing operations and ensure timely, high-quality case resolution
- Conduct hearings, rule on motions, evaluate evidence, and issue decisions
- Ensure consistency, clarity, and legal soundness across all decisions
Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team
- Supervise and support a team of Deputy Commissioners, professional staff, and support staff
- Provide coaching, guidance, and quality oversight
- Establish clear expectations and promote consistency in legal reasoning and decision-making
Drive Operational Excellence
- Manage case flow, workload distribution, and performance metrics
- Identify process improvements and implement more efficient systems
- Help modernize and enhance case management and hearing processes
Shape Policy and Strategic Direction
- Partner with the Commissioner to evaluate division performance and future needs
- Contribute to policy development, procedural updates, and training initiatives
- Provide insight based on legal trends, case data, and operational outcomes
Serve as a Key Representative
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including legal professionals and state partners
- Represent the division in workgroups, committees, and public-facing settings
- Provide expertise on administrative law and adjudicative practices
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a leader who brings:
- Licensed attorney in the State of Iowa
- Experience in administrative law, litigation, or adjudication (workers’ compensation experience is a plus, not a requirement)
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, or influence others
- Strong legal analysis, writing, and decision-making skills
- Ability to navigate complexity, ambiguity, and evolving priorities
- A mindset focused on public service, fairness, and continuous improvement
Who This Role May Be Perfect For
- An attorney ready to move from individual practice to system-level impact
- A legal professional interested in leadership, policy, and operational strategy
- Someone motivated by public service
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