Disability Analyst 2 (NY HELPS)

NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance is seeking a Disability Analyst 2 to review SSA Title II and XVI disability claims, evaluating medical reports, labs, and vocational info to determine eligibility.

The role includes interviewing claimants and other professionals, and preparing a detailed written analysis explaining the evidence and reasoning behind decisions. Telecommuting up to 50% may be available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a health/science field, or two years adjudicating SSA Title II/XVI.
• Experience evaluating medical criteria for disability benefits.
• Ability to interview claimants, physicians, and records staff.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Review disability claims under Title II and XVI.
• Evaluate medical reports and vocational data against claimant attributes.
• Conduct face-to-face or telephone interviews to clarify issues.
• Prepare detailed written analyses explaining the evidence and decision.

Skills

Interviewing

Analytical thinking

Medical evidence review

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in health sciences

Master’s degree (substitutes for 1 year experience)

Doctorate (substitutes for 2 years experience)

Job description

Duties Description

As a Disability Analyst 2 you would review individual claims for disability benefits under the provisions of Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act and special programs to determine the claimant’s eligibility for such benefits. You would evaluate the basis for the claim after examining complex medical reports from physicians, hospitals, and medical labs as well as vocational information in view of the claimant’s disability, age, education, and work history. You would clarify any issues by face‑to‑face or telephone interviews with claimants, administrators, physicians, attorneys, or other medical record personnel. You would then prepare a detailed written analysis of the case information providing a full explanation of the investigation, documentation, and assessment of the medical and other evidence that led to the decision concerning the claim.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

NY HELPS: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, candidates may be hired via a non-competitive appointment if they meet the below NY HELPS minimum qualifications.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Non-competitive Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher in one of the following fields: human biology, biochemistry, human anatomy, human physiology, psychology, nursing, physical therapy, speech and language pathology, medicine, occupational therapy, chiropractic, radiology, or medical technology; or, Bachelor's degree or higher in any field and two years of experience adjudicating claims under Title II and XVI of the Social Security Act; where the primary responsibility (50% or more of your duties) involves the evaluation of the criteria, (including medical criteria), to award disability benefits claims and/or special programs to determine a claimant's eligibility for such benefits.

Substitution: A master’s degree in a related field can substitute for one year of experience; and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for two years of experience.

Competitive Qualifications

Eligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title. Information regarding transfer eligibility is available on the Civil Service Career Mobility Office website at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/

Additional Comments

A permanent appointment will be made. If certified by Civil Service, mandatory reemployment list candidates must be considered first for appointment to this title. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Please be advised that all hires or transfers to OTDA’s Division of Disability Determinations must submit to mandatory fingerprinting and an associated FBI background investigation by the Social Security Administration under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12. Not all prior arrests and/or convictions will prohibit appointment. Information is considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Telecommuting up to 50% may be available in accordance with The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance policy and can be discussed during the interview.

NYS OTDA seeks to promote a diverse workforce that is a representation of the various cultures, voices, backgrounds, ideas, and talents of the citizens and communities that we serve. In alignment with New York State’s Executive Orders 187 and 31, OTDA is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering an inclusive workplace.