FAIR HEARING REPRESENTATIVE

City of New York•New York, NY

18h•$70,646 - $81,243

About The Position

The Department of Social Services (DSS), comprising the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), provides essential benefits and services to New Yorkers and works to address poverty, income inequality, and homelessness. The Fair Hearing and Conference/Pre-NOI/FH New Initiatives & Quality Analysis unit supports agency work related to fair hearings, client disagreements with agency actions, and quality analysis and guidance for new initiatives. Under general supervision, the Fair Hearing Representative reviews documents for Fair Hearing Evidence Packets and represents the Family Independence Administration (FIA) at New York State Fair Hearings. The role defends and resolves disputes involving Cash Assistance, SNAP, IREA, and Medicaid case actions. The position also provides supervision and guidance to Associate Job Opportunity Specialists, helps ensure accurate and timely case reviews, and supports staff training and reporting. This recruitment is for one Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist, Level II. Provisional hires must take and pass the civil service exam when it becomes available to be eligible for continued employment. The stated hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with flex.

Requirements

A four-year high school diploma or equivalent and three years of full-time satisfactory experience working directly in social or human services or a related setting, providing client services or employment planning/counseling involving job development, skills assessment, employment placement, or other economic opportunity programming; or
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and 18 months of full-time satisfactory experience as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and 18 months of full-time satisfactory experience in the social or human services work described in the first qualification; or
College credits from an accredited college may substitute for the specified experience at 60 semester credits for nine months of experience, but candidates must have at least 18 months of full-time satisfactory experience as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or in the described social or human services work.
Provisional hires must take and pass the civil service exam when it becomes available to be eligible for continued employment.

Responsibilities

Provide supervision, expertise, and assistance to Associate Job Opportunity Specialist I staff; monitor their work, review reports and case files, hold conferences, and ensure compliance with agency guidelines and performance standards.
Prepare, present, and testify about the Agency’s cases in official hearings and proceedings before city or state courts, hearing officials, and administrative law judges.
Review records, documents, and evidence packets; answer questions, recount interviews and admissions, question people at conferences or hearings, clarify issues, attest to evidence, and provide recommendations.
Ensure evaluations and case presentations are thorough, correct, clear, informative, and adequately documented, and that the Agency’s position is fully presented.
Build working relationships with subordinates and liaise with community groups, contract vendors, and external agencies to exchange information, interpret policies and procedures, coordinate activities, and resolve issues.
Certify that information received is routed appropriately for case action and followed up completely.
Ensure reviews are accurate, thorough, and timely; identify and correct errors, coordinate corrective actions within prescribed deadlines, and take steps to prevent future errors.
Maintain adequate staff coverage and promptly address inappropriate actions or errors by subordinates.
Participate in staff meetings, facilitate agendas and discussion, encourage attendance, and keep staff informed about agency goals and policy or procedure changes.
Assist in developing training curricula when unit processes are upgraded or modified; train subordinates through individual and unit meetings.
Monitor staff productivity and efficiency and prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports.