JOB TITLE: DISABILITY PROGRAM MANAGER

JOB CODE: 45170

DEFINITION: This is administrative and managerial work in the field of Social Security disability claims adjudication.

An employee in this job implements, operates, and evaluates a disability determination program at the statewide or regional level, or assists the regional office administrator in providing managerial oversight of branch operations through the supervision of Disability Adjudication Supervisors. Work includes interpreting disability adjudication programs, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations and bureau policies, and analyzing program or branch office performance. Work involves administrative responsibility for training, quality assurance, policy, or adjudication programs, or directing the review and adjudication of claims through subordinate supervisors. Supervision is exercised over subordinate supervisory, adjudicative, administrative, and clerical staff. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general direction of a central office manager or a branch office administrator, and is reviewed through reports and conferences for conformance to established regulations, policies, and procedures.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is distinguished from the Disability Claims Adjudicator series by the responsibility for directing a statewide or regional disability determination program which includes writing program directives and integrating program requirements, overseeing and coordinating SSA contract implementation and execution, developing and managing staff development programs, preparing spending plans and goals with SSA, or managing quality assurance in an assigned branch.

     • Work at this level may involve supervising Disability Claims Adjudication Supervisors.

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.)

• Directs and coordinates the implementation of specific programs, such as quality assurance, training, or program policy and procedures at the statewide or branch level and formulates and reviews statewide or branch level performance goals to ensure consistency with established federal and state guidelines.

• Reviews and interprets changes to federal and state guidelines and provides communication and training to program staff.

• Reviews adjudication program operations for efficiency and effectiveness and recommends changes in operating procedures, training, and organization.

• Directs the review and adjudication of Social Security disability claims.

• Prepares reports on status and progress of work.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of principles, methods, and practices of disability claims determination.

• Knowledge of Social Security and other federal laws, regulations, and policies concerning disability programs.

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

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

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These are not used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Knowledge of theory, techniques, and methods of claims sampling to ensure integrity of results.

• Knowledge of data analysis principles and methods to identify areas of deficiency.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of program administration.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods used in detecting workflow, procedural, or organizational weaknesses impeding maximum use of resources.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods used in designing and directing special studies and analyses.

• Ability to identify training needs and arrange training programs to meet those needs.

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

• One year as a Disability Claims Adjudication Supervisor, Disability Adjudication Hearings Officer, or Disability Fraud Officer (commonwealth titles);

or

• Three years of professional experience involving the review, evaluation, and determination of Social Security disability claims.