Disability Determinations Examiner 1/2/3

State of Louisiana; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Health in Shreveport, LA is seeking a Disability Determinations Examiner to adjudicate disability claims under SSA and SSI, following applicable laws and rulings. The position involves managing a complex caseload across stages of development and reviewing medical and vocational evidence.

This role requires strong critical thinking, time management, and ability to follow policies. Candidates may be hired at various appointment types, with competitive SER pay scales and a

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 credits one year toward the six years.
• Filing eligibility under State Civil Service rules and SSA processes.

Responsibilities

• Adjudicate disability claims under SSA and SSI in accordance with the Social Security Act and regulations.
• Maintain a complex caseload of Disability and SSI claims at various development stages; analyze evidence and determine needed additions.

Skills

Following directions

Active learning

Making accurate judgments

Adapting to change

Communicating effectively

Demonstrating initiative

Displaying professionalism

Following policies and procedures

Managing time

Thinking critically

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Learn more about the Louisiana Department of Health

This position may be filled in the following parishes: Caddo

Competencies

• Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
• Learning Actively: The ability to pursue learning, seek feedback, and integrate new knowledge to improve personal and professional performance.
• Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.
• Adapting to Change: The ability to demonstrate flexibility in thoughts, behaviors, and actions in response to evolving circumstances or unexpected change.
• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Demonstrating Initiative: The ability to assess situations independently and take proactive steps to address them without being prompted or instructed by others.
• Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
• Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.
• Managing Time: The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and allocate time to ensure timely completion of work goals.
• Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions.

Qualifications and Experience

• 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.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• Adjudicate disability claims filed under the Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income programs of the Social Security Administration in accordance with the Social Security Act, state laws, federal regulations, and Social Security rulings.

• Maintain a complex and diverse caseload of Social Security Disability claims and claims for Supplemental Security Income at various stages of development.
• Request and analyze medical evidence, nonmedical evidence, and reviews vocational factors to determine if additional evidence must be obtained, or if a decision can be made.

Position Specific Details

Location: Disability Determinations Services / Shreveport / Caddo

Appointment type: This position may be filled as a Probationary Appointment, Promotional Appointment, Job appointment (temporary appointment that may last up to 48 months), or Detail to Special duty.

Cost Center: 3071200107

Position number: 50689446

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Disability Determinations Examiner 1, 2, or 3 determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.

Compensation: This position is eligible for the following Special Entrance Rate (SER):

• Disability Determinations Examiner 1 - $22.80 hr / $1,824.00 bi-weekly
• Disability Determinations Examiner 2 - $24.40 hr / $1,952.00 bi-weekly
• Disability Determinations Examiner 3 - $26.00 hr / $2,088.80 bi-weekly

Individuals selected for positions with the Disability 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.

Contact Information

Staff Name: Eddie Tompkins, HR Analyst

E-mail: [e-mail]

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821225-342-6477

225-342-6477

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non‑merit factor.