Entry-level Disability Examiner

State of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flex spending accounts

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Wisconsin Disability Determination Bureau (DDB) is hiring Entry-Level Disability Examiners in Madison, WI. You will read medical, psychological, and vocational records to determine disability eligibility under SSA rules, and you will document decisions with clear, written rationale.

Training spans 20 weeks with on-the-job progression, and there is a path for growth within DDB. The role involves daily claimant contact, strong customer service, and adherence to state and SSA guidelines.

Qualifications

• Experience reading medical, psychological, and vocational records and documenting conclusions in writing.
• Ability to apply SSA policies and regulations to determinations.

Responsibilities

• Read and analyze medical, psychological, and vocational records to make disability determinations.
• Provide clear written conclusions and rationales based on SSA policy.
• Participate in 20 weeks of classroom training with gradual transition to on-the-job training.
• Independently manage a caseload to meet high accuracy and production standards.
• Maintain daily contact with claimants and provide good customer service.

Skills

Critical thinking

Strong writing

Analytical reading

Job description

Attention bookworms and puzzle lovers! Do you love to learn? Do you love the satisfaction of solving problems? Do you want your work to make a difference in the lives of Wisconsinites? Apply to become a Disability Examiner! We are seeking self-motivated critical thinkers to produce accurate and timely disability determinations under Social Security Administration (SSA) rules and regulations.

The Wisconsin Disability Determination Bureau (DDB) is hiring several Entry-Level Disability Examiner positions. DDB is located at 1400 E. Washington Avenue in Madison, WI. Free onsite parking is available and there is opportunity for growth within DDB.

The DDB consists of approximately 250 employees, including some contractors. The DDB operates on a yearly budget of approximately $30 million funded by the SSA to do medical determinations for SSA disability claims. The DDB also processes a small number of State Medicaid disability claims funded by DHS. The DDB must follow all SSA policies and regulations for safety, security and hiring as well as State of Wisconsin policies and regulations.

• Top rated health plan options starting at $47/month for single plans and $117/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service.
• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High-Deductible Health Savings.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.

The work schedule for the first 20 weeks is Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm while in classroom training. This is mandatory training and selected candidates must be able to meet this schedule. The anticipated start date for these positions isNovember 2026.

• Independently read and analyze medical, psychological, and vocational records and interpret complex legal policy to make legally and medically sound decisions about disability claims and support their conclusions in writing.
• Use excellent critical thinking and strong persuasive writing skills.
• Learn and apply the medical, legal, and vocational factors involved in the documentation, assessment, and determination of medical eligibility for disability benefits under Social Security law.
• Attend comprehensive training in a classroom setting for 20 weeks with gradual transition to on-the-job training and increasing independence over the next year. Full proficiency is typically achieved within two years.
• Independently manage a caseload to meet high production and accuracy standards in an effective, timely and cost-efficient manner.
• Perform work that is almost entirely self-directed and independently set and achieve goals and solve problems.
• Have daily phone contact with claimants. Challenging situations and changes in policy and procedures are frequent. Strong customer service skills are important.

Salary Information

The starting pay is between $31.58 - $32.83per hour (approximately between $65,600 and $68,200 per year)depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. An 18-month probationary period is required.

Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction. These positions are classified as Disability Determination Specialists - Entry and are in pay schedule and range 12/64.

All applicants who may be appointed to these positions will be required to go through a complete federal background investigation. A suitability determination by the Social Security Administration is necessary prior to hire to determine whether an employee can be issued credentials in order to have access to Social Security disability data, records, and systems.

Employees must have access to both a private workspace and secure high-speed internet for remote work option. Mileage reimbursement to the employee’s headquarter location is not provided.

For positions that allow remote working flexibility, working outside of Wisconsin or in bordering cities will not be allowed except in extremely limited circumstances due to the need to report to an office location in Wisconsin on short notice.

Qualifications

Minimally qualified applicants will have the following:

• Work, educational, or other setting experience researching and summarizing complex information, formulating conclusions and supporting conclusions in writing. Examples of written documents could include, a thesis, research paper, issue paper, white paper, research article, story, proposal, or grant, etc.

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or more of the following:

• Experience or training in a medical, healthcare, or psychological related field.
• Work experience with Social Security Disability claims.

DHS is an Equal Opportunity and affirmative Action employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on Veterans’ hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is September 8, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.