Assistant To The Commissioner I Workers' Compensation Commission

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The essential function of the position within the organization is to provide legal administrative support to an assigned commissioner’s office. The position performs moderate administrative tasks of high responsibility in accordance with regulations, procedures, and developing work methods. The position works independently under moderate supervision; however, it is in a “team” environment. P osition coordinates and manages the daily operations of an assigned commissioner’s office. Must have the intellect to learn a considerable amount of law, not only to develop, type, and process a high volume of incoming and outgoing correspondence, orders, and other legal documents, but also to address inquiries made to the office by attorneys, insurance carrier representatives, employers, and injured workers. Coordinates and schedules special matters to be heard by the Commissioner, attorneys, and other involved parties. This position is to act as a direct liaison to an assigned Commissioner ensuring that no administrative breakdowns occur during the absence of the Commissioner. The incumbent must perform extremely well in a high-pressure environment. This is a high-volume job that requires close and often exacerbating contact with the public and the legal profession. The incumbent must possess the ability to translate legal jargon into lay language to accommodate the needs of inquiries in a courteous and professional manner, using clear and concise verbal and written skills. In addition, the incumbent must possess the discretion to do all the above while respecting the right of privacy and confidentiality of all those concerned. This position is also responsible for activities relating to the processing of appeals for the Workers’ Compensation Commission in accordance with COMAR 14.09.11. Coordinates case Management and interprets court orders and judicial reviews to ensure documents are filed in a timely manner in accordance with COMAR 14.09.11.1(a) and 14.09.11.3 and applicable Maryland Rules.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Two years of experience in work requiring knowledge of the function, organization, procedures and governing laws and regulations of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
OR Six months experience providing paralegal support to a Workers’ Compensation Commissioner in the review, adjudication and processing of contested workers’ compensation claims.
Demonstrated ability to accurately keyboard on a typewriter, a personal computer, computer terminal or work processor at a minimum of forty words per minute is required.

Responsibilities

Analyzes, prepares, calculates, and processes legal Awards/Orders from the Commissioner’s decisions and legal documents submitted.
Processes Subsequent Injury Fund (SIF) orders with varying level of assistance and guidance.
Addresses inquiries on Commissioner duty days and in a commissioner’s absence
Examines case documents for legal sufficiency prior to the hearing of a compensation claim.
Coordinates the flow of legal documents and information between other divisions within the Commission and a Commissioner.
Handles dockets, including but not limited to reviewing, assembling, and breaking down, pre and post data entry, emergency and special request scheduling and postponements
Researches and interprets workers’ compensation laws and regulations to provide a Commissioner with relevant information needed for the adjudication of workers’ compensation claims.
Reviews US mail, interdepartmental mail and email for processing, answers phone, and walk- in requests and inquiries and performs queue work timely, applying to Workers’ Compensation law, regulations, and procedures.
Prepares itinerary, leave requests and expense accounts, schedules appointments, telephone conferences/hearings and meetings for the Commissioner
Acts as a backup to the Appeals Coordinator when they are out of the office---Receives and prioritizes and interprets appeals correspondence scanned in WCC’ s current and any other future operating system (i.e. Comphub) and applications received from the Circuit Courts from 24 jurisdictions and the Appellate Court of Maryland, and Maryland Supreme Court to ensure documents are being processed and acted upon in accordance with COMAR 14.09.11.01.
Processes workflow in the Appeals queue by processing notices of appeal and providing timely notice to court reporters.
Reviews the court motions, orders, and docket entries.
Reviews case files to determine status of appeals filing; verifies identification of filing party, other interested parties and take proper actions accordingly.
Knowledgeable with all WCC polices and all regulations and state laws dealing with appeals.
In accordance with Maryland Rule 7-206, prepares case files for the judicial review process.
Provides timely notice to court reporters of an appeal to ensure transcripts are processed timely.
Identifies the original hearing reporter and notification provided via computer printout.
Determines the appropriate action to be taken in routing the court decisions to proper division, department, or unit.
Reviews documents in queues to determine whether to process the document or forward it to a court reporter, an assistant to a Commissioner, or the hearing section for action.
Initiates and follows up on search requests for documents not submitted within five working days. (Time sensitive documents).
Corrects inaccurate information and documents changes in WCC’s current and any other future operating system (i.e. Comphub) and applications
Provides assistance with inquiries from attorneys and other parties regarding information on claim status and the status of appeals.
Notifies appellants of any discrepancies and court reporters if necessary.
Analyzes incoming mail and correspondence prior to scanning into WCC’s current and any other future operating system (i.e. Comphub) and applications to determine the proper queue placement.