|
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
|
|
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
|
|
Position Number: 00297446 |
Description Activated On: 3/27/2025 11:58:10 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Purpose: Within an Unemployment Compensation Board of Review (UCBR) Referee office, this position supports the Referee staff in processing UC appeals involving varied and complicated legal issues. These appeals are filed from determinations issued by UC Service Centers (UCSC) as well as remands from UCBR. |
|
Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Supports assigned Appeals Referee and UCBR Referee office through the performance of the following job duties: Hearings: Reviews incoming appeal work items in the Ben Mod system to determine the proper location for the hearing to be held and type of hearing in accordance with the UC law and UCBR regulations. Determines what exhibits are relevant to the issue of law involved in the hearing and organizes the case file by adding and removing exhibits based on the review of legal documents to ensure the record is complete. Associates dockets for different claim types and with different issues of law, determining if the employer identified is the proper party to the appeal, determining if the location of hearing is correct in accordance with the UC Law and regulations, determining if a telephone hearing is permissible under the UC Law and regulations, determining if the work location of the employer on the appeal is correct for scheduling purposes based on the UC Law and regulations (requiring the hearing to be scheduled in the county where the work was performed), etc. Prepares hearing notices, ensuring they afford due process by inclusion of accurate issues of law, timely distribution of notices to appropriate parties based on UC Law and regulations, and enclosure of relevant documents. Schedules first level and remanded appeal hearings considering the needs of the Referee and all interested parties, adjusting hearing times based on multiple variables such as interpreter needs, multiple dockets, complicated issues, or attorney representation. Assists Referees in processing legal documents such as requests for continuances, withdrawals, subpoenas, and interpretation. Handles the requests in accordance with UC law, regulations and parameters set forth by the Referee. Reschedules hearings that are continued and adjusts Referee’s schedule accordingly. Fills in hearings where possible to ensure Referee has a full schedule. Handles receipt of documents after the hearing is scheduled and determines if the records are received in a timely manner for distribution to the other parties. Distributes the documents to the parties via electronic means if hearing is being held by telephone. If the hearing is in person, ensures the document is added to the electronic appeal file and printed for the paper file that will be shared and viewed at the in-person hearing. Complex mass appeals involving multiple claimants or labor disputes require additional organization and attention to detail to assure due process. Determines whether a representative appeal approach is proper, and if so, organizes the hearing with the counsel and representative claimants, schedules pre-hearing conference, schedules hearings and organizes groupings of claimants for specific decisions based on their issues of law and claim weeks involved in their appeal case. Through research and investigation gathers information related to legal and regulatory requirements and reviews documentation for compliance with applicable sections of UC Law and UCBR regulations. Assists Referees with ensuring hearings follow due process and rules of engagement for quasi-judicial proceedings. Contacts parties to get consent on record for waiver of the 14-day telephone hearing notice when a change is made from an in-person hearing to a telephone hearing. Decisions: Transcribes recorded dictation of decisions from Referees, and prepares decisions from typed drafts, which may involve technical and complex legal matters. Reviews these decisions for clarity and to ensure all issues of law and weeks of benefits are covered in the decision and that the order and disposition properly relate to the findings of fact and reasoning. Distributes final decisions and orders timely to all interested parties. Mass appeals involving multiple claimants or labor disputes regularly have several different dispositions for similarly situated claimants which requires additional attention to detail and processes to assure the proper disposition is prepared for each claimant. Makes determinations on quashes on behalf of the Referee. Confirms the reasons for the appeal match the determination type that was appealed. If incorrect, issues a Quash decision on behalf of the Referee and requests the that the UCSC process the appeal to the proper UC determination. Public Contact: Handles telephone calls, emails and in person visitors seeking information about substantive or procedural matters and provides appropriate and tactful responses. Receives calls from claimants, employers, attorneys, other state agencies, legislative offices, etc. and handles requests for records, responding to questions regarding the UC claims and appeals system information and processes. Answers correspondence requests for exhibits and other documents determining what is being requested and whether the requestor is entitled to the information. Uses UCBR computer systems to research case status and provide information to the parties as appropriate. Documents telephone calls with sufficient detail for inclusion in the appeal record and updates UCBR systems to reflect these contacts. Checks voice mail messages and returns calls promptly. Communicates on behalf of the Referee as Referee must avoid ex parte communication with the parties. Office Work: Uploads recorded hearings into the digital database for central office use if a further appeal is filed to the Board. Monitors UCBR computer systems and work items for additional documents uploaded for hearings and directs correspondence to the appropriate Referee, maintaining confidentiality of all appropriately marked correspondence. Maintains electronic and paper files for pending and completed cases and reference materials. Prepares and proofreads a variety of legal documents and distributes written notices and decisions and, when necessary, continuances, withdrawals, and subpoenas. Inputs appropriate data into automated computer appeals tracking system to ensure timely and accurate disposition of appeals.\ Transcribes recorded dictation of correspondence, reports, and other related matters. Prepares and distributes requisitions, memoranda, and other required paperwork. Conducts legal research and reviews Board and Commonwealth Court decisions, staff bulletins and related material regarding proper procedures for analyzing case records, scheduling, responding to party requests, conducting hearings, and preparing accurate written decisions. Maintains familiarity with UC laws and regulations relating to UCBR administrative and hearing procedures. May also be responsible for ordering office supplies, envelopes, forms, etc. for the office; requesting equipment service or repairs; handling internal and external resource e-mail accounts; distributing and logging in incoming work; and handling the distribution of correspondence received electronically or via regular mail. Timekeeping: May be asked to serve as timekeeper for the office. Maintains daily sign in sheets and reviews same for accuracy. Uses the SAP and general timekeeping system to ensure proper entries into the system for individual employees to avoid underpayment or overpayment. Reviews daily and bi-weekly error logs and takes appropriate action to rectify any problems. Reviews overtime entries for accuracy and codes them to insure proper payment to employees. Notifies appropriate supervisors of discrepancies with time and/or leave input. Enforces, directly or through appropriate supervisor, all department policies and procedures related to time input and leave usage. Performs other related duties as required. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Works independently within UC Law and regulatory requirements, and established procedures and timeliness guidelines. Determines priority of assigned work and completes it accordingly. Makes independent decisions regarding organizing appeal case files, scheduling of cases and the release/editing of Referee decisions. Makes independent decisions regarding requests for postponements, issuance of subpoenas, remands, withdrawal, telephone participation and other requested accommodations within UC Law, regulations and parameters set forth by the supervising Referee. Seeks direction from supervising Referee when necessary. |
||||||||||||||||||||
Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
||||||||||||||||||||
Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
|