FAIR HEARING REPRESENTATIVE

About the role

IF YOU ARE HIRED PROVISIONALLY IN THIS TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAM, WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.

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 Division of Fair Hearing: Fair Hearing & Conference (FH&C), which supports the agency to avoid fair hearing requests, scheduling of hearing that eliminate the chargeback from the Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance (OTDA); Pre Notice of Intent (Pre-NOI), which supports the agency to address clients' disagreement with the agency actions or changes made to their households; and Fair Hearing New Initiatives & Quality Analysis (FHNIQA), which offers on-going support, resources and guidance for all new initiatives related FIA, Medicaid, Advocate Inquiry, Office of Administrative Hearing (OAH), Office Program Performance & Financial Management (OPPFM) and Department and Homeless Services (DHS).

Under general supervision of the Fair Hearing Representative and with latitude for independent judgment and initiative, the Agency Representative reviews documents for Fair Hearing Evidence Packets in defense of the Agency's position and represents the Family Independence Administration (FIA) at New York State Fair Hearings in an effort to defend and resolve disputes on Cash Assistance (CA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Investigation Revenue and Enforcement Administration (IREA), and Medicaid (MA) case actions, in order to assist in moving participants toward economic independence.

Fair Hearing Administration is recruiting for one (1) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist, Level II to function as a Fair Hearing Agency Representative who will:

• Provide supervision/expertise/assistance to Associate Job Opportunity Specialist I in their day-to-day functions, by monitoring/maintaining controls on subordinates' activities, by personal observation/reviewing statistical and narrative reports/examining Fair Hearing case files/holding conferences/comparing work completed with quality/quantity standards/milestone expectations/ensuring that agency guidelines are followed, to meet program objectives.
• Prepare/present/testify in official hearings/proceedings the Agency's case before City/State court and hearing officials/administrative law judge/others, by reviewing records/documents/evidence packets/answering questions/recounting interviews and admissions/questioning persons at informal conferences/hearings/clarifying issues/attesting to the validity of evidence/providing recommendations, to ensure the Agency's position is fully presented and documented/provide complete and accurate information on which decisions/judgments may be made. Responsible for ensuring that evaluations are thorough, completed correctly, and adequately documented. Inappropriate actions and error are promptly pointed out to subordinates and corrected within prescribed deadlines.
• Establish positive working relationships with subordinates, conducts field visits/liaises/investigates with community groups, contract vendors and externals agencies, by conveying, communicating, obtaining information, interpreting agency policies/procedures/regulations, to facilitate cooperation, coordinate activities, and resolve any outstanding issues. Ensure that the presentations are clear, appropriate, and informative. Certify that information received is appropriate routed for case action and followed up completely.
• Ensure that review is conducted accurately, thorough, and timely. Follow-up on errors are corrected and appropriate action taken to avoid errors in the future. Confirm that adequate coverage is always maintained, and inappropriate actions and errors are promptly pointed out to subordinates. Coordinate with staff to ensures that errors and actions are corrected within a prescribed deadline.
• Participate in staff meetings by facilitating agenda, encourages relevant discussion and ensures staff attendance. Keep staff informed of agency/unit goals and changes in policies and procedures. Assist in the development of training curriculum for the unit when processes are upgraded and modified. Review work of subordinates by monitoring productivity and efficiency. Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports. Train subordinates in performance of duties by holding individual and unit meetings.

Hours/Shift: 9am - 5 pm with flex

Qualifications & Requirements

• 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.
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen (18) months of full time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen (18) months of full time satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above.
• College credit from an accredited college may be substituted for this experience on the basis of 60 semester credits for 9 months of the work experience described above. However, all candidates must have at least 18 months of full-time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or performing social/human services work as described in one (1) above.