Executive Director for Disability Compliance

Social Security Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Executive Director for Disability Compliance in Disability Adjudication (DA) at Social Security Administration leads and shapes how hearings and appeals are reviewed to ensure policy is applied consistently and accurately.

This role directs quality assurance, oversight of ALJ workloads and conduct, addresses fraud cases with the OIG, and serves as Co-Chair of the Appeals Council, requiring executive leadership and deep knowledge of disability adjudication under SSA regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience at a senior level leadership position, equivalent to GS-15.
• Ability to lead quality assurance programs in adjudicative settings.
• Ability to coordinate with OIG and SSA components on investigations.
• Knowledge of disability adjudication processes and applicable regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for disability determinations quality reviews.
• Lead and manage quality assurance programs for hearings and appeals to reduce remands.
• Coordinate ALJ workload management and conduct issues with stakeholders.
• Serve as Co-Chair of the Appeals Council and advise on bias and misconduct.

Skills

Senior leadership

Quality assurance

Strategic direction

Executive coordination

Job description

Summary

The Executive Director for Disability Compliance in Disability Adjudication (DA) evaluates SSA's hearings and appellate processes. The Executive Director promotes consistent and accurate application of Disability policy through quality reviews, providing oversight of ALJ workloads, ALJ conduct, and labor relations activities, in addition to redetermining fraud cases identified by the Office of the Inspector General and SSA. The incumbent also serves as the Co-Chair of the Appeals Council.

Duties

The Executive Director for Disability Compliance in Disability Adjudication (DA) evaluates SSA's hearings and appellate processes. The Executive Director promotes consistent and accurate application of Disability policy through quality reviews of hearing and appeals level cases, providing oversight and management of ALJ workloads, ALJ conduct, and labor relations activities, in addition to redetermining fraud cases identified by the Office of the Inspector General and SSA. The incumbent serves as the Co-Chair of the Appeals Council, in accordance with 20 C.F.R.

• 422.205. The incumbent is responsible for: Providing executive oversight and strategic direction for in-depth analysis of disability determinations, identifying trends, root causes of errors, and opportunities for improvement, ensuring alignment with agency mission and objectives. Leading and managing a comprehensive, quality assurance program through the review and analysis of judicial decisions and trends to provide feedback and recommendations to improve quality and consistency of adjudication. Further, collaborating with Law & Policy to address individual Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) accountability, discipline, conduct, and workload management issues. Serving as a principal advisor and executive resource in addressing ALJ bias and misconduct complaints, ensuring timely and effective resolution in support of organizational integrity and public trust. Directing the In-Line Quality Review process of hearings level cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and the Standard Hearings Operations Procedure (SHOP), by various hearing office employees, to drive continuous improvement in the quality and legal sufficiency of draft decisions to reduce remands and reversals. Feedback is provided to hearing office management and further shared with the appropriate hearing office staff member. Leading and fostering a culture of quality across the organization by proactively sharing identified errors with the Disability Determination Service teams, and hearing office management teams. Evaluating organizational training needs based on comprehensive data and trend analysis and collaborates with the Executive Director of Disability Governance regarding the development and implementation of targeted quality improvement initiatives. Providing executive leadership in the review of ALJ decisions and dismissals involving claims for benefits under Titles II, VIII, and XVI of the Social Security Act, exercising independent authority to initiate reviews on the agency's own motion, pursuant to 20 CFR
• 404.969 & 1469. Overseeing the Hearings Integrity Review Unit, ensuring the review, re-determination, and processing of hearing and appeal level cases identified under section 1129(I) of the Social Security Act, as amended. Coordinating with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and other SSA components to develop and implement agency-wide strategies for reviewing and adjudicating cases involving alleged fraud, in accordance with sections 205(u) and 1631(e) of the Social Security Act.

Requiremennts

To be considered minimally qualified for this position, candidates must have had responsible professional experience at a senior level (equivalent to the GS-15 in either the General Schedule (GS) or a comparable pay plan). Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed). Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests Must file a Public Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back; FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation); and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information).

Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME BASED. It is important that your resume be complete and thorough, following the requirements outlined below. As a basic requirement, to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, applicants MUST demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications within their resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed beyond page 2, or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. Separate narrative statements addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) will not be reviewed or considered. To be considered minimally qualified for this position, candidates must have had responsible professional experience at a senior level (equivalent to the GS-15 in either the General Schedule (GS) or a comparable pay plan). Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations. Failure to meet this basic qualification requirement and all executive factors automatically disqualifies an applicant. NOTE: If you are (1) a member of the SES, (2) have been certified through successful participation in an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or (3) have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): None DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS (DQs): 1. Senior-level experience leading and managing a comprehensive quality assurance program within a judicial or adjudicative environment. 2. Senior-level experience planning and directing sensitive, high priority and/or confidential studies in areas relating to an agency/organizational-level program. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people; ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades; ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality; ECQ 4: Leading People - Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable; and ECQ 5: Achieving Results - Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. **Note for Current and/or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office within your application package.

Additional Information

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to All application materials are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become property of SSA. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact [e-mail].

The men and women of the Social Security Administration are the stewards of the Federal Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance programs, as well as Supplemental Security Income for the aged, blind and disabled. With a workforce of approximately 50,000 employees in 1,300 service locations across the country, our mission is to advance the economic security of the nation's people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs.