10/12/1994 07320

APPEALS REFEREE PROGRAM MANAGER

DEFINITION: This is administrative quasi-judicial work in directing a regional unemployment compensation appeals hearing program.

An employee in this class supervises the activities of appeals referees and clerical employees within an assigned region. Work involves determining and
adjusting assignment of appeals cases to equalize work loads of appeals referees, informing and advising subordinate appeals referees concerning new or revised policies and procedures, reviewing decisions and hearing transcripts for conformance to policies and standards of protocol, evaluating employee
performance, interpreting labor agreements, resolving complaints and grievances, and training staff. Work includes the training of appeals referee trainees in
all facets of the appeals hearing program, establishing their priorities, reviewing their work in progress and upon completion for adherence to policies and standards of protocol, and responsibility for preliminary instructions and close guidance throughout the training period including advice and assistance provided at times by experienced appeals referees, evaluating their development, and making recommendations regarding their promotion to experienced appeals referee status. Work is reviewed by the appeals system administrator for program accomplishment and conformance with established laws, policies, and regulations.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises the work of appeals referees and trainees and clerical staff within a region.

Assigns personnel within the region; assigns and reassigns appeals to staff to equalize workloads and expedite disposition of cases.

Informs subordinate staff of newly adopted policies and procedures.

Receives and evaluates complaints from parties to an appeal, discusses with appeals referee and adjusts procedures or recommends improved hearing protocol, as necessary.

Reviews decisions and hearing transcripts for conformance to policies, such standards of protocol as following rules of evidence and rulings on motions, and ability to target and evaluate issues.

Implements a training program to include formal and on-the-job training for trainees and experienced Appeals Referees.

Initiates corrective disciplinary action for minor misconduct by employees and recommends major corrective disciplinary actions or dismissals.

Receives grievances and complaints, conducts initial investigation into causes and conditions, discusses with employees and resolves or recommends resolution to grievance or complaint.

Prepares employee performance evaluation reports.

Approves/disapproves leave and schedules personnel.

Arranges for hearing facilities; requisitions supplies and equipment for subordinate staff.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law, related provisions of the federal Social Security Act and other related state and federal rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to the state unemployment compensation program.

Knowledge of state and federal court decisions, and decisions of the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board of Review in the field of unemployment
compensation.

Knowledge of the principles of procedures and evidence to be followed in the conduct of quasi-judicial hearings.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of legal research.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of office management and administration.

Knowledge of current labor agreement provisions which affect the supervision of employees, the assignment of work, handling of grievances, and evaluation of work performance.

Knowledge of the principles of analyzing and appraising testimony, evidence, and legal and administrative documents and records.

Ability to exercise effective administrative and technical supervision over a large group of professional and clerical employees.

Ability to develop and install administrative procedures and operations and to evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness.

Ability to implement a training program for professional subordinates.

Ability to apply legal administrative decisions, precedents, and rulings to existing situations.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other administrative officials and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year of experience as an Appeals Referee, and two years of responsibility for planning and directing the
operations of technical level staff in a public or private organization;

                                                                                                                                                       or

Five years of experience in the determination of unemployment compensation claims, including adjustment, overpayment, and appeal cases, and including or
supplemented by one year of supervisory experience and two years of responsibility for planning and directing the operations of technical level staff in a public or private organization;

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training relative to unemployment compensation, including or supplemented by one year of supervisory experience and two years of responsibility for planning and directing the operations of technical level staff in a public or private organization.