7/16/90 B

This is the single class in a series for professional positions responsible for conducting administrative hearings for the Department of Rehabilitative Services to determine whether agency decisions to terminate social security disability benefits should be upheld or reversed. Positions in this class preside over hearings, deliberate evidence and make legal or medical conclusions.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty which requires planning for and conducting hearings. The work involves analyzing claims data, researching policies and regulations, and obtaining additional evidence. Presides over hearings which involves maintaining order and proper decorum; administering oaths; defining issues; interpreting and explaining pertinent laws, regulations and policies; taking testimony; questioning and cross-examining witnesses; ruling on objections, admissibility of evidence and other matters of law; and recording evidence and testimony. Analyzes evidence and applicable laws and regulations to arrive at appropriate and legally sound conclusions. Prepares written decisions based on findings of fact, medical evidence and past vocational experience of claimant.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Works under the direction of a Human Services Director-Field.

Scope: Conducts administrative hearings within assigned region to determine whether to uphold or reverse the agency's decision to terminate social security or supplemental security income disability benefits.

Impact of Actions: Hearings' determinations may have serious financial, mental or physical impact upon claimants if disability benefits are terminated and the claimant is forced to return to work. The claimant may also suffer significant costs in time and money if the case is appealed to the federal Social Security Administration, the appeal council and ultimately to the circuit courts. Significant costs

may be incurred by the agency in terms of public goodwill. Conversely, if procedures are inappropriately applied and benefits are continued incorrectly, significant costs would be incurred by the Social Security Trust Fund.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with claimants, witnesses, interpreters and attorneys to conduct hearings; the medical community and agency employees to obtain information regarding specific cases; the press, general public, congressional offices, advocacy groups and the Social Security Administration to respond to inquiries about case determinations, gather evidence to substantiate decisions, and to improve working relationships.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the statutes and regulations applicable to the social security disability program; of medical impairments sufficient to determine the resulting degrees of physical and mental limitation; of the vocational impact of a claimant's functional limitations. Working knowledge of the administrative procedures for conducting hearings, due process standards, legal research methodology, terminology and writing style.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to conduct fair hearings and control the record; to ascertain and evaluate facts; to read, explain and apply related laws and agency regulations; to analyze information; to prepare and manage a caseload; to conduct legal research; to compile and organize hearing proceedings into written report format; and to prepare recommended hearing decisions based on hearing findings; to work independently; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and to work effectively with the public, members of the business community and other employees.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in human physiology, anatomy, medical terminology, law or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience working with the evaluation of medical impairments and interpreting relevant laws, rules and regulations.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised as a result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program and replaces Disability Determination Hearing Officer, effective July 1990.