DIRECTOR OF FAIR HEARINGS

New York City, NY•Brooklyn, NY

65d

About The Position

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. DSS/HRA Fair Hearing Administration is responsible for providing representation of the Agency at NYS Administrative Hearings in the following program areas: Cash Assistance (CA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), IREA, HASA and MAP - Medical Assistance (MA). Under the general direction of the Special Counsel, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and decision-making, Director of Fair Hearing plans, directs and evaluates the operations of the Fair Hearing MAP Division. The Director develops measures to improve the efficiency of the fair hearing process and implements alternative resolution programs that seek to decrease the number of fair hearings; interprets the impact of new or revised Federal, State, and City legislation on Fair Hearings operation; works closely with the Human Resources Administration Office of Legal Affairs (HRA/OLA), the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (NYS/OTDA), the New York State Department of Health (SDOH) and the Office Administrative Hearings to handle Fair Hearing caseloads as class action lawsuits or Article 78 hearings and oversees the conduct of analysis of the efficacy of Fair Hearings programs. Fair Hearing Administration is recruiting for one (1) Administrative Director of Social Services to function as Director of Fair Hearings for the MAP area who will:

Requirements

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four years of progressively responsible experience, including one year at the administrative or managerial level in a large governmental agency, business firm, civic or community organization operating in the area of social services; or
Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and the one year of experience at the administrative or management level as described in "1" above.

Nice To Haves

Excellent communication and writing skills.
Extensive knowledge of Agency operations and NYS social service policy and procedures.
Strong MAP eligibility background
2+ years of management experience, preferably with experience managing supervisors.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee staff engaged in ensuring the compliance of the Agency with Fair Hearings decisions handed down by Administrative Law Judges and offering support to other Fair Hearing sections in the form of record packages and processing aid to continue cases as well as attempting to decrease the overall caseload through early resolution.
Direct and oversee the activities of staff responsible for offering clients the opportunity to discuss factors affecting their eligibility for Medicaid, obtain an explanation of the reasons for the proposed action, and present facts supporting their case, as mandated by implementation of New York State Department of Social Services regulation 358.8, item (b).
Oversee the activities of staff involved in the preparation and presentation of the Agency's position at administrative hearings affecting the MAP and HCSP programs that are being contested by applicants or recipients of those services.
Develop and implement processes that improve the efficiency of fair hearing operations and ensures that these operations comply with mandated Federal, State, and City laws and guidelines regarding timeliness and procedure. Design and implements procedures that ensure the strict adherence of the Agency to the timeframes and other regulations mandated by State and Federal regulations.
Identify policy and procedure inadequacies and takes necessary steps to correct them. Review reports on operations and activities of Representation sections regarding the outcome of completed fair hearings and designs and implements changes as needed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the units.
Interpret the impact of new or revised Federal, State, and City legislation relevant to Fair Hearings operations and implements changes to comply with said legislation.
Maintain liaison with other MAP and HCSP executives to facilitate cooperation with matters regarding Fair Hearings. Collaborates with the MAP procedures unit to produce up-to-date Fair Hearings procedures manuals and forms for feedback on new procedures implemented. Attend meetings with Executive MAP Program staff to provide feedback regarding program performance based on trends and patterns observed in the fair hearings process, and to present Fair Hearings Division concerns and views.
Work closely With the HRA Office of Legal Affairs to defend class action lawsuits and individual article78 proceedings resulting from fair hearing or fair hearing operations, and ensure that timely review of memoranda or laws, trusts and other legal documents submitted during the fair hearing process.
Develop and implement alternative dispute resolution programs such as mediation, early resolution, and increased conferencing to achieve greater efficiency and cost savings by decreasing the number of fair hearings held. -
Work closely with the New York State -Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of Administrative Hearings to efficiently handle the fair hearing caseload.
Oversee the conduct of analysis performed to identify patterns with negative impact on fair hearings such as analysis of decisions or failures to comply with court decisions. Recommend staff training and/or implements changes in procedure according to the findings of the analysis. Oversee the compilation of Fair Hearings Division win-rate, which is included in the monthly Agency 's Performance Indicator Report.
Direct the planning, development and maintenance of the Fair Hearings Information System. Oversee the development and maintenance of other automated systems designed to streamline the Fair Hearing Division's activities.
Identify training needs through periodic staff meetings and aids in the development and enhancement of training modules for staff, ensuring that staff is trained in the interpretation and application of Federal, State. City and Agency policies and procedures, as well as in the art of advocacy, to enhance representation at fair hearings.

Benefits

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/.

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