12/01/1988 07359

SECRETARY, WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION APPEAL BOARD

DEFINITION: This is responsible administrative and supervisory work in managing the activities of the Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board.

An employee in this class directs and coordinates the administrative and support functions for the Board in applying the provisions of the Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation and Occupational Disease Laws. Work includes review of the work of administrative and clerical staff to ensure that the documentation for Workmen's Compensation hearings are complete and in conformance with the processes, policies, and procedures of the Board. Work includes the scheduling of hearings and providing notice to concerned parties, and the preparation of various statistical and financial reports. An important aspect of the work is the establishment and implementation of policy in regard to administrative and procedural functions of the Board and the participation in the development of policy in an advisory capacity to the Chairman and other Board members. Supervision is exercised over support staff. Supervision includes assigning and reviewing work; evaluating employee performance; interpreting labor agreements; resolving complaints and grievances; and training staff. Work is performed with considerable independence and is reviewed through conferences and reports by the Secretary of Labor and Industry for effectiveness and adherence to policy.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs and coordinates the activities of technical and clerical staff engaged in carrying out the provisions of the Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation and Occupational Disease Laws.

Plans, directs, and coordinates a continuing review and analysis of the appeal activities to ensure the process is in accordance with state guidelines and policies.

Serves as liaison with other government officials and the general public regarding the appeals procedures.

Prepares hearing schedules and agenda for the Board's hearings and executive sessions.

Establishes operational methods and procedures; as necessary prepares departmental and Board policies and regulations.

Supervises staff in the preparation, maintenance, and disposal of all appeal files.

Prepares and signs employee performance evaluation reports.

Interviews prospective employees and recommends employee selection or ranks applicants in terms of preferability for employment.

Receives grievances and complaints, conducts initial investigation into cause and conditions, discusses with employee, and resolves or recommends solutions to grievances and complaints.

Receives, reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests.

Interprets contractual and administrative rights and obligations for employees and modifies work environment or process to conform to changing conditions.

Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with State agencies and the general public.

Answers questions from attorneys, State agencies, general public, and public officials relating to Appeal Board policy and status of claims.

Prepares various statistical, financial, and other related reports.

Publishes Appeal Board Orders and Opinions.

Attends conferences and speaking engagements to promote or explain Appeal Board procedures and policies.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and methods of administration and employee supervision including budgetary and personnel organization.

Ability to become knowledgeable of the procedural and administrative provisions of the Workmen's Compensation and Occupational Disease Laws.

Ability to become able to explain and interpret the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation and Occupational Disease Laws to  administrative officials and the general public.

Ability to plan, organize, and assign work to subordinates.

Ability to evaluate employee performance and prepare employee Performance Evaluation Reports.

Ability to interpret collective bargaining contracts applicable to the work performed by the unit.

Ability to train staff.

Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally.

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

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with Board members, government officials and the general public and others concerned with the appeals process.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Four years of varied office management or staff work which included one year of supervisory experience which involved resolving personnel complaints and grievances and evaluating administrative procedures, operations and documents for efficiency and effectiveness;

                                                                                                                                                                                                             or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training that included the one year of specialized experience.