CENTRALIZED PACKET REVIEW UNIT SPECIALIST

HRA/DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New York’s Fair Hearing Administration seeks an Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I to support the CPRU, handling outreach and documentation for Cash Assistance, SNAP and Medicaid decisions.

Under supervision, the CPRU Specialist reviews requests, prepares evidence packets using FHEMS, coordinates with Fair Hearing Representatives, and ensures timely processing; also handles inquiries and sends resolution letters.

Qualifications

• Four-year high school diploma or educational equivalent plus three years in social/human services or related work, with client services or employment planning/counseling experience.
• Bachelor's degree plus 18 months of full-time experience as Benefits Opportunity Specialist or related social/human services work.
• Substitution: 60 credits for 9 months of experience; at least 18 months in Benefits/related work.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze Fair Hearing Requests to determine resolution or Packet Preparation path.
• Prepare electronic Fair Hearing evidence packets using FHEMS for OAH presentations.
• Conduct outreach to clients to gather required information for case resolution.
• Monitor FHEMS queues to ensure timely work and coordinate with supervisor on workload.
• Notify Job Center staff of actions needed to resolve cases.
• Respond to inquiries from external entities and central offices regarding fair hearing activities.
• Send resolution letters and coordinate with Fair Hearing Representatives to improve evidence packets.

Skills

Excellent communication

Writing skills

Analytical skills

Time management

Detail oriented

FHEMS knowledge

Excel skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree

Tools

FHEMS

WMS

POS

NYCWAY

SEAMS

Excel

Job description

APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (BOS) CIVIL SERVICE TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR. THIS IS A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT, WHEN A TEST BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (ABOS) TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE EXAM TO REMAIN IN THE ABOS TITLE.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

Fair Hearing Administration is recruiting for one (1) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I to function as CPRU (Central Packet Review Unit) Specialist.

Under general supervision of the CPRU Supervisor and with wide latitude for independent action and decision, the CPRU Specialist performs outreach, administrative, analytical duties relating to the resolution of client fair hearing request related to Agency decisions affecting receipt of Cash Assistance, SNAP and Medicaid benefits, and the preparation of documentation for presentation of evidence at Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Assignments are made at the discretion of management, and such assignments will be limited to the duties and responsibilities detailed below.

The CPRU Specialist will:

• - Review and analyze Fair Hearing Requests from clients to determine whether cases should be resolved or sent to Packet Preparation. Review databases (including WMS, POS, New York City Way, Etc.) connected with client's cases to determine accuracy of actions taken or to determine if Notices of Intent (NOI)/ decisions are defective. Take appropriate action to correct any cases that can be resolved and works within the FHEMS system to route cases to the appropriate Fair Hearings/FIA Unit.
• - Prepare electronic Fair Hearing evidence packets through use of the FHEMS system, incorporating all relevant documents for presentation of evidence at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Communicates with Fair Hearing Representatives to ensure that all evidence packets are complete and that any resolutions taken are part of the packet.
• - Conduct outreach to clients on cases that require follow up to determine case resolution. Explain the fair hearing process to clients and determine what information and/or documentation are needed to resolve cases. Ensure that such documentation is received from the client and properly incorporated into the client's case file.
• - Monitor and review individual FHEMS queues to ensure all work is completed in a timely manner. Consult with immediate supervisor to determine workload issues and appropriateness of actions taken on cases. Continue to stay abreast of changes in Agency Policies and Procedures, maintaining understanding of changes in the FHEMs system.
• - Notify Job Center staff of required action to be completed to resolve cases.
• - Receive and respond verbally or in writing, to telephone or written inquiries and complaints from outside agencies, public officials and central office operations regarding clients and fair hearing activities.
• - Send resolution letters to clients whose cases we have determined will be resolved. Communicate with Fair Hearing Representatives to determine the quality of the evidence packets and the need to add additional documentation to enhance the defense of cases at hearings.

Hours/Shift: 9am - 5 pm with flex

ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY - 56316

Minimum Qualifications

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and three years of
full-time satisfactory experience working directly in social/human services or a
related setting, providing either:
a) client services.
b) employment planning/counseling services which involves job development,
skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic
opportunity programming.
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or
3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full time satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above.
4. College credit from an accredited college may be substituted for this experience
on the basis of 60 semester credits for 9 months of the work experience described
above. However, all candidates must have at least 18 months of full-time
satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or performing
social/human services work as described in one (1) above.

Preferred Skills

• - Excellent communication and writing skills.
• - Knowledge of Agency operations and NYS social service policy/procedures.
• - Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• - Detail oriented.
• - Knowledge of FHEMS, WMS, POS, NYCWAY, SEAMS.
• - Exceptional Excel Skills
• - Interpersonal Skills

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.