FAIR HEARING SERVICE SPECIALIST

Agency HRA/DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Agency HRA/DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES in New York City seeks an Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist to support fair hearings and benefit actions. You will handle conferences, review case information, and prepare evidence packets for hearings.

The role requires knowledge of NYC social services policies, strong communication, and the ability to coordinate with multiple units. On-site hours are 9am–5pm with potential location coverage.

Qualifications

• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and three years of full-time satisfactory experience working directly in social/human services or a related setting, providing either (a) client services or (b) employment planning/counseling services which involves job development, skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic opportunity programming.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and 18 months of full-time, satisfactory experience as Benefits Opportunity Specialist or as described above.
• Candidates may substitute college credits for work experience at a rate of 60 credits per 9 months of experience, with a minimum of 18 months of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Work with Cash Assistance recipients to resolve case actions affecting CA, SNAP, and Medicaid benefits by conducting conferences with recipients to review decisions.
• Review databases (WMS, POS, SEAMS, etc.) to verify actions or NOI/decisions and correct as needed.
• Explain Fair Hearing processes to clients and their representatives and inform them of their rights to appeal.
• Prepare electronic Fair Hearing evidence packets using FHEMS for presentation at OAH.
• Monitor queues and coordinate with supervisor to manage workload and changes in policy.

Skills

Excellent communication

Strong analytical skills

Time management

Microsoft Office

Policy knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

FHEMS

WMS

POS

NYCWAY

WARM

PAM

CARS

SEAMS

Job description

YOU MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (BOS) TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR OR PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (ABOS) TITLE. THIS IS A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT, WHEN A TEST BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (ABOS) TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE EXAM TO REMAIN IN THE ABOS TITLE.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

Fair Hearing and Conference/Pre-NOI/FH New Initiatives & Quality Analysis, formerly known as Fair Hearing Representation, consists of three areas in the Office of Fair Hearing Administration: Fair Hearing & Conference (FH&C) is responsible for mediating any dispute related to an infraction in engagement and non-willful infractions with the participant and supporting the agency to avoid fair hearing requests, Pre Notice of Intent (Pre-NOI) facilitates the case review of individuals who did not report to or comply with a Wellness Comprehensive Assessment, Rehabilitation, and Employment (WeCARE) appointment or assignment, including those who infract with a Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VRS) engagement activity and Fair Hearing New Initiatives & Quality Analysis (FHNIQA) offers fair hearing data support for all new initiatives related to Family Independence Administration (FIA), Medicaid, Advocate Inquiry, Office of Administrative Hearing (OAH), Office of Performance Management & Data Analytics (OPMDA) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS).

Under general supervision of the Fair Hearing Representative and with wide latitude for independent action and decision, Fair hearing Conference Specialist performs administrative duties relating to the resolution of adverse case action related to Agency decisions affecting receipt of Cash Assistance, SNAP and Medicaid benefits, and the preparation of documentation for presentation of evidence at Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

Fair Hearing Administration is recruiting for one (1) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist to function as a Fair Hearing Service Specialist who will:

• Work with Cash Assistance recipients in the resolution of case actions relating to Agency decisions affecting the receipt of CA benefits, SNAP, and Medicaid benefits by conducting conferences with the recipients to review and determine the appropriateness of Agency’s action. Notifiy clients of the conference decision and ensures, if warranted, that appropriate corrective action on the case be taken by notifying Job Center staff of required action to be taken to resolve cases.
• Conduct in person and/or telephone conferences to determine whether cases can be resolved. Review databases (including WMS, POS, SEAMS, Etc.) connected with Client’s case to determine accuracy of actions taken or to determine if Notices of Intent (NOI)/ decisions are defective. Take appropriate action to correct any cases that can be resolved and works within the FHEMS system to route cases to the appropriate Fair Hearings/FIA Unit
• Advise and explain Fair Hearing processes to clients and/or their representative of their rights to appeal any adverse conference decisions to the New York State Department of Social Service Fair Hearing Division
• Prepare electronic Fair Hearing evidence packets through use of the FHEMS system, incorporating all relevant documents for presentation of evidence at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Communicates with Fair Hearing Representatives to ensure that all evidence packets are complete and that any resolutions taken are part of the packet.
• Review the fair hearing stipulations (Pre-Hearing Disposition (PHD) to determine appropriate follow-up action. Notifies the Job Center staff of the required action to be completed to comply with Fair hearing decisions.
• Monitor and review individual System queues to ensure all work is completed in a timely manner. Consults with immediate supervisor to determine workload issues and appropriateness of actions taken on cases. Continues to stay abreast of changes in Agency Policies and Procedures, maintaining understanding of changes in the FHEMs system.
• Serve as the service representative for client complaints and determines what action is necessary to resolve such complaints; reviews social service problem areas to determine any causative factors affecting service complaints. When necessary, provide referrals to other social service agencies within HRA.
• Receive and respond verbally or in writing, to telephone or written inquiries and complaints from outside agencies, public officials and central office operations regarding clients and fair hearing activities.
• Under the direction of the covering Office manager, provide emergency coverage at other location within the same Region.

Hours/Shift: 9am – 5 pm with flex

ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY - 56316

Minimum Qualifications

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and three years of full-time satisfactory experience working directly in social/human services or a related setting, providing either (a) client services or (b) employment planning/counseling services which involves job development, skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic opportunity programming.
2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and 18 months of full-time, satisfactory experience as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or
3. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and 18 months of full-time, satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above.
4. Candidates may substitute college credit from an accredited institution for work experience at a rate of 60 semester credits per 9 months of experience. However, a minimum of 18 months of full-time, satisfactory experience as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or in social/human services as described in one (1) above.

Preferred Skills

• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Knowledge of Agency operations and NYS social service policy/procedures.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Knowledge of FHEMS, WMS, POS, NYCWAY, WARM, PAM, CARS, and SEAMS.
• Microsoft office specialist (Word and Excel).

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.