Disability Adjudicator (Disability Analyst 2)

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

2d•$4,954 - $7,592•Hybrid

About The Position

Join us as a Disability Analyst 2 and make a meaningful impact serving Oregonians in need of critical financial and medical assistance. In this advanced role, you will independently manage a caseload—including court-mandated cases and specialized workloads—while analyzing complex medical and legal evidence to render accurate, timely, and defensible disability determinations. You will apply laws, regulations, and policy to complex and non-routine cases and serve as a trusted resource to staff on sensitive or challenging claims. Come be part of a dedicated public service team committed to fairness, integrity, and compassionate service. In this position, you will independently evaluate and approve or deny initial applications for disability filed under the Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income programs. Conduct reviews of contested initial denial or unfavorable onset decisions issued by other analysts and affirm or overturn the decisions based on an independent review of the record (reconsideration claims). Identify Oregonians with disabilities, and help disabled Oregonians maintain an acceptable quality of life, self-esteem, and independence.

Requirements

Must be HSPD-12 credentialed at the time of hire.
Three years of experience compiling and analyzing facts to determine eligibility requirements in compliance with program guidelines and regulations, two of the three years must include evaluating applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income program benefits; AND 1) A bachelor’s degree in medicine, psychology, nursing, pharmacy, rehabilitation counseling, vocational rehabilitation or a closely related field; OR 2) Three years of responsible pertinent experience which provided a knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, physical and mental impairments, how the impairments affect work performance and the treatment, prognosis and duration for physical and mental impairments (e.g., Military Corpsman, Nurse, Psychiatric Aide, Medical Assistant, Bodily Injury Claims Adjudication, Industrial Therapist, etc.). OR Six years of progressively related professional-level experience, training, and education that would typically lead to the required knowledge and skills. Two of the six years must include evaluating applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income program benefits.

Nice To Haves

Current Homeland Security Presidential Directive–12 (HSPD-12) credential at time of hire.
Experience with adjudicating Social Security Disability (SSDI/SSI) claims for at least two years, including reviewing medical evidence and making eligibility determinations.
Experience with using the DDS Disability Case Processing System (DCPS) to review, develop, and document disability claims.
Experience with independently managing a caseload, prioritizing work, meeting deadlines, and maintaining accuracy.
Experience working in an independent, self‑directed work environment that requires meeting workload expectations, maintaining timely case actions, and consistently following established productivity and quality standards.

Responsibilities

Provide professional, respectful customer service to claimants, partners, and colleagues while honoring the communities served.
Manage an independent caseload of approximately 80–100 claims, including initial claims, reconsiderations, court-mandated cases, and specialized SSA workloads, ensuring timely and accurate case processing.
Analyze medical, vocational, and lay evidence; apply Social Security laws, regulations, and policies; and issue legally sound disability determinations (allowances or denials).
Develop and document claims by obtaining and evaluating medical and third-party evidence, resolving discrepancies, preparing residual functional capacity (RFC) assessments, and determining ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.
Conduct reconsiderations, case audits, and court-ordered reviews using de novo standards to ensure objective, well-supported decisions.
Identify when consultative examinations are needed, authorize and coordinate evaluations, and participate in ongoing training, policy development, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.