Disability Determinations Examiner 1/2/3

Louisiana Department Of Transportation and Development; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated individuals for the role of Disability Determinations Examiner. This entry-level position offers the opportunity to assess eligibility for federal Social Security disability benefits, requiring strong analytical and communication skills. The ideal candidate will engage in a thorough review of medical and vocational evidence while learning to navigate complex regulations. With a supportive environment for growth and advancement within the job series, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals seeking assistance. Join a team that values professionalism and dedication to service, and help shape the future of disability determinations.

Qualifications

• Ideal candidates should possess strong critical thinking and communication skills.
• Experience in social services or a related field is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties in the determination of eligibility for federal Social Security disability benefits.
• Analyze medical information and develop vocational evidence for disability claims.

Skills

Learning Actively

Making Accurate Judgments

Thinking Critically

Accepting Direction

Adapting to Change

Communicating Effectively

Demonstrating Initiative

Displaying Professionalism

Following Policies and Procedures

Managing Time

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Three years of social services experience

Six years of full-time experience in any field

Job description

This position is located in the Shreveport office of Disability Determinations Services.

This position may be filled as a probational appointment or a job appointment that may last up to 48 months. Job appointments may convert to probational appointments. Also, it may be filled as a detail and promoted within 12 months.

Individuals selected for positions with theDisability Determination Service (DDS)will go through a complete federal background investigation.A suitability determination by the Social Security Administration is necessary to determine whether an employee can be issued credentials in order to have access to Social Security disability data, records, and systems. Your conditional job offer and access to Social Security Administration's (SSA's) systems, data, information, and/or premises are contingent upon you passing the SSA suitability process.

*Note: This covers the preliminary screening (pre-screen) and the final background adjudication stage of the suitability process.

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

AN IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:

Selected Core Competencies:

• Learning Actively:The ability to acquire necessary knowledge and skills to improve performance and achieve organizational goals.
• Making Accurate Judgments:The ability to form an opinion objectively and decisively based on relevant information and in accordance with established standards.
• Thinking Critically:The ability to generate ideas, manipulate ideas, and make unconventional connections to develop original approaches.

Selected Preferred Competencies:

• Accepting Direction:The ability to accept and follow directions from those higher in the chain of command.
• Adapting to Change:The ability to adjust plans, expectations, and behaviors in response to change.
• Communicating Effectively:The ability to relay information correctly and appropriately to connect people and ideas.
• Demonstrating Initiative:The ability to assess information and take action independently to help the organization achieve its goals.
• Displaying Professionalism:The ability to recognize how your actions impact the perceptions of both you and your organization.
• Following Policies and Procedures:The ability to comply with policies and procedures of the organization as well as State Civil Service rules, and all applicable federal and state laws.
• Managing Time:The ability to control your time to increase effectiveness, efficiency, or productivity.

As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Disability Determinations Examiner 1, 2, or 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s). The maximum salary for the Disability Determinations Examiner 3 is $2832.00 biweekly. Please refer to the ‘Job Specifications’ tab located at the top of the LA Careers ‘Current Job Opportunities’ page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level.

The following is a Special Entrance Rate (SER) for the Disability Determinations Services Examiner job title located in the Disability Determinations Services, within the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS):

Disability Determinations Examiner 1: $1,404.80 biweekly

Disability Determinations Examiner 2: $1,590.40 biweekly

Disability Determinations Examiner 3: $1,701.60 biweekly

NOTE REGARDING THE ADVERTISED PAY:

This position participates in a Career Progression Group (CPG) and may be filled as a Disability Determinations Examiner 1, 2, or 3. The level at which the vacancy is filled will be determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.

The actual starting salary depends on the education and experience of the selected applicant.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

You must include all relevant education and experience on your official State application. The duties you describe in the Work Experience section of your application will be reviewed by State Civil Service as part of the process in determining if you meet the minimum qualifications for this job.

Your experience WILL NOT be evaluated based on the job title alone. You must describe your actual duties. If you are a current employee of the State of Louisiana it is important that you indicate in the "Duties" section for each job the specific programs that you worked in to receive credit for that experience.

List all prior employment. Work experience left off of your electronic application or only included in an attached resume will not be credited. Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

DCFS is an “Equal Opportunity Employer” and Louisiana is a “State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities”

For additional information about this vacancy contact Eddie Tompkins, Human Resources Analyst by email at: [e-mail]

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Three years of social services experience; OR

Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR

A bachelor's degree.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:

Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

FUNCTION OF WORK:
To perform duties in the determination of eligibility for federal Social Security disability benefits.

LEVEL OF WORK:
Entry.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Direct from a Disability Determinations Supervisor or equivalent level position. May receive supervision from higher-level personnel.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None.

LOCATION OF WORK:
Department of Children and Family Services, Social Security Disability Determinations Division. Other locations may be approved by SCS.

JOB DISTINCTIONS:
Differs from Disability Determinations Examiner 2 by the absence of experienced-level disability determinations responsibilities.

Learns to determine type of injury, illness or disease and the associated effect on functional abilities. Receives training in the analysis of medical information regarding various physical and mental impairments and related treatments.

Learns to develop medical and vocational evidence to determine if the claimant is capable of performing substantial gainful activity. Acquires skill in the review of all case documentation, resolves discrepancies in work activity and medical evidence, and makes efforts to get needed evidence, request additional evidence, and schedule consultative examinations when needed. Documents all efforts to obtain evidence.

Trains in the analysis of all sources of information and resolves medical source opinions when needed. Learns to determine if the medical opinion is consistent with all of the objective data and, if necessary, resolves those inconsistencies.

Learns to consult with internal and external professionals or contract providers, including physicians, psychologists, and vocational experts to determine whether the claimant has an impairment that meets the specific requirements of any condition described in the Listing of Impairments. Considers drug and alcohol abuse, failure to follow prescribed treatment, potential mental impairments and claimant credibility when making disability decisions.

Trains in the preparation of written analysis of medical, vocational and functional evidence to make a legally defensible disability determination. Completes associated forms, with assistance from higher level staff, determining the nature and limiting effects of the claimant's impairment(s) and whether the 12-month duration requirement is expected to be met.

May perform a vocational analysis to determine whether the claimant is capable of other work.