Fair Hearings Officer

State of Connecticut - Department of Social Services; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting a Fair Hearings Officer for the Hartford office. This full-time hybrid role requires conducting hearings, reviewing evidence, and issuing written decisions on appeals under state and federal rules.

Ideal candidates will bring extensive knowledge of public assistance programs, strong interviewing and communication skills, and the ability to analyze conflicting information. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of professional or technical experience in a social services program area.
• The one-year lead/advanced capacity requirement for conduct of hearings is noted.
• College training may substitute for general experience (15 semester hours = 0.5 year, up to 4 years for a Bachelor's).
• A Master’s degree may substitute for one additional year of general experience.

Responsibilities

• Reviews requests for fair hearings in accordance with statutory provisions.
• Conducts hearings using teleconference technology or in person.
• Examines and admits testimony, documents and other evidence for appellant.
• Prepares and renders written decisions on matters being appealed.
• Maintains records of testimony for use in potential appeals.
• Prepares reports of hearings held.

Skills

State and federal laws

Public assistance knowledge

Interviewing skills

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree substitution for up to 4 years experience

Master’s degree substitution for 1 additional year

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Introduction

Are you a current Department of Social Services (DSS) employee seeking your next opportunity? If this sounds like you, we encourage you to check out this exciting opportunity to join our team! The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting a Fair Hearings Officer to work in our Hartford office located at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford CT 06105. POSITION HIGHLIGHTS LOCATION: 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford CT 06105 SHIFT: First, full time | Hybrid SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, this is a hybrid position and the candidate is eligible to apply for telework in accordance with the Telework Policy. NOTE: You must be a current DSS employee to be considered. Please see selection plan for additional details.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU - As a current State of Connecticut employee, you will receive the same excellent benefits you are already accustom to. Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees. The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO Engage in a rewarding career Make a difference in the public sector Work together in a collaborative team environment

MORE ABOUT US DSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, and online and phone access options.

Please note that DSS takes part in the E-Verify system, which is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

Purpose of Job Class (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services, Division of Administrative Hearings and Appeals this class is accountable for conducting hearings and rendering decisions on appeals of departmental decisions and other matters designated by statute.

Examples of Duties

• Reviews requests for fair hearings made in accordance with statutory provisions;
• Conducts hearings utilizing teleconference technology or in person;
• Examines and admits to record all testimony, documents and other evidence on behalf of appellant;
• Questions witnesses and departmental employees appearing on behalf of agency with regard to decision being appealed;
• Prepares and renders written decisions on matters being appealed;
• Maintains records of testimony for use by Superior Court in event of further appeals;
• Prepares reports of hearings held;
• Recommends modification of procedures when appropriate;
• Participates in staff conferences;
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Considerable knowledge of
• relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
• relevant agency policies and procedures;
• principles and practices of public assistance and human service programs;
• Considerable skill in conducting interviews to obtain information necessary for rendering proper decisions;
• Skills
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
• present findings and conclusions in written reports;
• analyze and evaluate conflicting information and evidence.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

Seven (7) years of professional or technical experience in a social services program area.

Minimum Qualifications - Special Experience

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a lead, advanced working or consultative capacity conducting hearings and rendering decisions. NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of an Eligibility Services Specialist, Social Services Lead Investigator, Social Services Program Assistant Technician 2 or Social Worker.

Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (l/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
• A Master’s degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience interpreting complex state and federal laws, statutes and regulations related to public and medical assistance program serviced by DSS
• Experience reviewing and assessing matters governed under the state Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.
• Experience determining eligibility for public assistance, medical assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, medical services and Child Support Programs serviced by DSS.
• Experience writing detailed, complex reports or case summaries.
• Experience utilizing Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, TEAMs and Adobe Acrobat software.

Special Requirements

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.