Senior Paralegal Specialist

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Quincy, MA

19d

About The Position

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) seeks qualified applicants for the position of Senior Paralegal Specialist in the MassHealth Board of Hearings Unit. The Senior Paralegal Specialist will directly supervise paralegal staff including paralegal specialists and the paralegal coordinator. The incumbent will work collaboratively with hearing officers by assisting in case management and hearing preparation. The Senior Paralegal Specialist will be expected to conduct research, assess legal documents, assist hearing officers in preparing cases for administrative hearings; analyze proposed legislation; respond to inquiries concerning formal interpretation of agency laws, rules, and regulations; and perform related legal and administrative work as required.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource management, including behavior techniques, planning forecasting, and organizational development.
Knowledge of work task simplification methods.
Knowledge of the use of methods for writing, preparing, and reading tables and reports.
Ability to understand the regulations, policies, and procedures for the function of the Board of Hearings.
Ability to understand the agency regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to gather information, formulate questions, and/or make recommendations for resolution.
Ability to maintain a staff calendar, accurate records, and reports.
Ability to give written and oral instructions in a precise and understandable manner.
Ability to establish rapport with others.
Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
Ability to coordinate direct reporting staff tactfully and effectively.
Ability to adjust to varying or changing situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements.
Ability to exercise sound judgment.
Proficient use of Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.
Ability to learn and access a variety of information systems supported by a variety of technological platforms.
Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of supervision.
Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work, according to the nature of the capabilities of reporting staff or subordinate staff, providing and recommending training requirements and opportunities, motivating and evaluating staff, and following processes for discipline; and
Maintain confidentiality and privacy in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis.
At least one year of the above experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of work task simplification methods;
Knowledge in the use of methods for writing, preparing, and reading tables and reports;
Ability to understand the regulations, policies, and procedures for the function of the Board of Hearings;
Ability to understand the agency regulations, policies, and procedures;
Ability to gather information, formulate questions, and/or make recommendations for resolution;
Ability to maintain a staff calendar, accurate records, and reports;
Ability to give written and oral instructions in a precise and understandable manner;
Ability to establish rapport with others;
Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others;
Ability to manage direct reporting staff tactfully and effectively;
Ability to adjust to varying or changing situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements;
Ability to exercise sound judgment;
Proficient use of Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom;
Ability to learn and access a variety of information systems supported by a variety of technological platforms;
Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information;
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of supervision;
Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work, according to the nature of the capabilities of reporting staff or subordinate staff, providing and recommending training requirements and opportunities, motivating and evaluating staff, and following processes for discipline; and
Maintain confidentiality and privacy in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Responsibilities

Oversee and supervise paralegal specialists and Paralegal Coordinator assigned to work directly with hearing officers.
Develop and monitor tasks and assignments performed by paralegal specialist.
Work closely with hearing officers by assisting in case management, hearing preparation, and legal research.
Assist with the management of Provider Claims for Adjudicatory Hearing upon filing to determine legal validity of the claim.
Work closely with management and administrative staff concerning intake, scheduling, and disposition of appeals.
Respond to inquiries from appellants, attorneys, and others to provide information concerning appeals.
Assist in intake of appeals.
Obtain interpreter services and necessary accommodations for appellants.
Manage requests for document production from MassHealth legal unit, Privacy Office and/or appellant/authorized representative.
Assist in any/all post hearing filings. Responsible for issuing provider proposed and final decisions and all member appeals.
Responsible for redaction of all decisions (both provider and member appeals) before saving to public drive.
Responsible for assessing legal documents; preparing cases for administrative hearings; analyzing proposed legislation; respond to inquiries concerning formal interpretation of agency laws, rules, and regulations, and perform related work as required.
Maintain and/or update tracking of c. 30A Superior Court appeals.
Draft legal documents as requested by hearing officers and Director.
Communicate with appellants, attorneys, personal representatives, etc., as needed.
Help provide notification on scheduling as needed.
Communicate with hearing officers on any/all pre- and post- hearing filings.
Assist with responsibilities for issuing provider proposed and final decisions and all member appeals.
Responsible for redaction of all decisions (provider/member) before saving to public drive.
Assess legal documents, prepare cases for administrative hearing, analyze proposed legislation, respond to inquiries concerning formal interpretation of agency laws, rules, and regulations, and perform other related duties as directed by the Director.
Assist Director in expediting hearing process pursuant to regulatory amendments to fair hearing regulations.
Draft dismissals of appeals that fail to evidence authorization that include factual and legal basis for dismissal.
Perform any board related tasks and projects at the request of the Director.