Review Vacancy
AgencyTemporary and Disability Assistance, Office of
TitleFair Hearings Specialist 1 or Fair Hearings Specialist 1 Spanish Language (NY HELPS)
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $58522 to $64693 Annually
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required, but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive, and the official probationary period will begin.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
NON-COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATIONS:
Four years of paraprofessional or professional experience providing services to individuals in need of and/or eligible for social services programs or implementing/administering programs regulated by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, or the New York State Department of Health.
Substitution:
1. A Bachelor’s degree in any field may substitute for all four years of the experience noted above.
2. An associate or higher degree in law or legal assistant/paralegal education from a regionally accredited college or university, or college or university accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), may substitute for all four years of the experience noted above.
3. Completion of a legal assistant/paralegal education, qualifying non-degree certificate program where the certificate was issued by a regionally accredited or ACICS accredited college or university AND two years of paralegal experience may substitute for all four years of experience noted above.
OR
55 b/c: This position is eligible for 55 b/c appointment, and candidates with 55 b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for a 55 b/c appointment, candidate must be currently enrolled in the Civil Service 55b/c program and meet the qualifications listed above.
Information about the 55b/c program can be found here: 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center (ny.gov).
COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATIONS:
Eligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title. Information regarding transfer eligibility is available on the Civil Service Career Mobility Office website at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/.
OR
Reachable on the appropriate eligible list in Albany.
Duties Description Duties include but are not limited to the following:
• Provides information regarding hearing procedures to State agency and local district staff, clients and their representatives, and other parties.
• Processes requests for administrative hearing records, Fair Hearings, Homebound Hearings from appellants/representatives, Intentional Program Violations Hearings, and waiver of appearance requests from local social services districts and its agents; schedules hearings; prioritizes hearings in accordance with federal and state regulations, law and court decisions; manages workflow at hearing locations; and conducts other matters regarding the administrative hearing process.
• Handles general inquiries from clients, their representatives or local agencies and makes referrals to appropriate program areas or proper agency.
• Determines continuation of aid status and good cause for adjourning and reopening hearings.
• Drafts responses to correspondence relating to the hearing process.
• Screens and processes emergency hearings.
• Retrieves, analyzes and/or updates information from the Fair Hearing Information System, Welfare Management System, Automated Child Care Information System, New York City Work Accountability and You, State Supplemental Program, Client Notification System, eMedNY, and other relevant systems.
• Identifies governmental entity or agent taking adverse action against clients and ensures all relevant parties are notified about a hearing request. This includes identifying the appropriate local district location, managed care organization, or State entity.
• Fields compliance complaints, referring more complicated cases to the appropriate supervisor.
• Gathers statistical data and prepares reports.
• Assists supervisor in preparing written procedures.
Additional Comments Full-time permanent or temporary appointments will be made. If certified by Civil Service, mandatory reemployment list candidates must be considered first for appointment to this title. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Candidates for the Fair Hearings Specialist 1 (Spanish Language) must be capable of communicating with the Spanish-speaking population regarding fair hearing-related inquiries, requests, and complaints. In processing written correspondence and e-mail requests, the incumbent must possess the ability to directly translate the incoming source documents without having to obtain verbatim written translations. In addition, in order to be considered for appointment to a Spanish language position, applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in Spanish at a level that will ensure their ability to adequately perform the duties of the position.
Interested applicants should send their cover letter and resume to jobpostings@otda.ny.gov and reference posting #24103SNY. DO NOT REFERENCE THE VACANCY ID NUMBER.
NYS OTDA seeks to promote a diverse workforce that is a representation of the various cultures, voices, backgrounds, ideas, and talents of the citizens and communities that we serve. We actively solicit and encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (“BIPOC”); LGBTQIA+ individuals; women; people with disabilities; and military veterans.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address jobpostings@otda.ny.gov
Address
Street 40 North Pearl Street, 12B
Notes on ApplyingTo apply, please send a cover letter and resume. Include a current, Civil Service title and grade level and clearly state how you meet the minimum qualifications.
Interested applicants should send their cover letter and resume to jobpostings@otda.ny.gov and reference posting #24103SNY. DO NOT REFERENCE THE VACANCY ID NUMBER.
You may be required to provide acceptable proof of education, experience, credential and/or license to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications for appointment to this position.
Applicants will be required to prove their eligibility for employment based upon acceptance of a position in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
If you are a retiree currently receiving benefits, indicate this and the name of the retirement system in your response.
In accordance with state law, Governor’s Executive Order No. 6 and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance does not discriminate against disabled individuals. If you are disabled and require reasonable accommodation at the time of the interview, please contact OTDA's designee for reasonable accommodation at (518) 474-7284.