JOB TITLE: ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAMS DIRECTOR, BDD

JOB CODE: 45151

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible administrative and managerial work directing all administrative activities of the Bureau of Disability Determination (BDD) within the Department of Labor and Industry.

An employee in this job plans, organizes, and directs quality assurance, training, budget, human resources, and automated technology functions of the bureau. Work involves overseeing the review and interpretation of federal and state rules, regulations, and policies to develop new policies and procedures for processing and adjudicating claims for benefits; directing the preparation of the bureau budget; overseeing the management and coordination of the bureau’s automated claims processing system; planning and directing the bureau’s internal auditing program to provide for the systematic evaluation and appraisal of bureau operations; and overseeing the monitoring and on-site auditing of disability determination services to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and standards. Work also involves responsibility for employee development, staffing and organizational requirements, and personnel matters. Work includes advising the bureau director on program matters and legislative policy, and consulting with the director on broad policy and administrative matters. Work is performed with considerable independence and is reviewed by the director through conferences, reports, and an overall evaluation of program results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Plans, develops, and evaluates constituent services, information technology services, policy planning, budget planning and preparation, claims audit activities related to quality assurance, and other administrative support services.

• Serves as an advisor to the director in the development of policies and procedures pertaining to the processing and adjudication of disability claims.

• Oversees the development, evaluation, recommendation, and implementation of bureau training programs and related policies and procedures.

• Oversees the random selection and audit of disability determinations to ensure that determinations meet quality standards as established by the bureau and to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.

• Communicates with state medical societies, advocacy groups, and regulatory and legislative groups to promote a better understanding of the disability program and elicit cooperation in advancing the bureau’s mission.

• Reviews and interprets federal and state legislation, policies, and procedures related to disability determinations and develops policies and procedures for the processing and adjudication of benefit claims.

• Directs and coordinates interactions with federal and other commonwealth agencies to ensure that bureau policies and activities are consistent with rules, regulations, and directives at the state and federal levels.

• Directs the analysis, evaluation, and development of guidelines, procedures, policies, and training to meet the bureau’s program goals and objectives.

• Makes recommendations regarding bureau organization and staffing requirements.

• Directs the preparation of major portions of the bureau’s state and federal budget.

• Oversees the establishment and management of systems to monitor and control obligations and expenditures in areas of program responsibility.

• Oversees the coordination of program integration activities with information technology staff to ensure the appropriate development, implementation, and maintenance of system security, integrity, and information technology services.

• Reviews all new developments related to the Federal Social Security Law, including legislation and court decisions, to evaluate their impact on disability determination services in Pennsylvania and to recommend appropriate or corrective action.

• Directs and participates in human resource administration functions to include interviewing, making appointment recommendations, assisting in the resolution of employee grievances, ensuring adequate training of staff, and administering the employee performance review system.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with organizational and operational requirements.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the federal and state laws, policies, and procedures relating to Social Security disability determination.

• Knowledge of Social Security disability claim adjudication principles and practices.

• Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems, with special emphasis on factors related to disabling conditions.

• Knowledge of physical and mental illnesses and impairments and their social and vocational implications.

• Knowledge of employment practices and the skills, abilities, and physical demands of common occupations.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures and make recommendations for improvement.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year as a Disability Program Manager (commonwealth title);

or

• Four years of professional experience performing medical, vocational, or psychological evaluations, including two years of supervising the adjudication of Social Security disability claims.

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes two years of supervising the adjudication of Social Security disability claims.