CONFERENCE OFFICER

About the role

The Department of Social Services (DSS) comprises the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA fights poverty and income inequality by providing essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS prevents and addresses homelessness through innovative strategies to help families and individuals exit shelter and achieve self‑sufficiency.

DSS/HRA Fair Hearing Administration provides representation of the Agency at NYS Administrative Hearings for Cash Assistance, SNAP, IREA, HASA, and the Medical Assistance Program (MAP). The MAP Fair Hearing Unit serves as an internal mechanism for clients and their representatives to address Medicaid eligibility complaints, with the goal of reducing the number of Fair Hearings.

Responsibilities

• Systematically identify management indicators which will supply MAP Administrators and Division Directors with additional statistical data on which to develop priorities, isolate developing problem areas, and streamline their operations as indicated.
• Authorize initiation and completion of all forms which clarify the reasons for any compliance decision and cites Federal, State and City regulations where appropriate.
• Provide administrative rationale and documentation for fair hearing compliance and gives reasons for affirming, amending or reversing previous eligibility decisions made by lower level supervisors in Agency eligibility sections.
• Prepare recommendations and suggestions for modification/improvements within the Compliance Unit procedure forms to implement and expedite these modifications and establishes new or revised procedures incorporating these changes, when needed.
• Respond to advocates and legal representatives of clients inquiring about Fair Hearing cases in all stages of the Fair Hearing process.
• Assist in resolving cases to avoid Fair Hearings and assign staff to assist in resolving advocate inquiries.
• Train staff as needed in compliance and advocate inquiry, and assist in the development of training for staff.
• Supervise, and ensure adherence to agency code of conduct, Time and leave, policies and procedures.
• Manage attendance, timekeeping for assigned staff, and monitor staff performance.
• Provide day-to-day oversight of staff handling workload distribution and prioritization.
• Work closely with Management, to ensure all mandated actions are completed in accordance with policy and deadlines, on case status, errors, and ensure corrections are made.
• Coordinate with executive staff, legal teams and external agencies regarding cases status and compliance issues.

Qualifications

Applicants must be permanent in the Principal Administrative Associate title.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory full‑time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience, one year of which must have been in an administrative capacity or supervising staff performing clerical/administrative work of more than moderate difficulty; or
• An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college and three years of satisfactory full‑time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience including one year of the administrative supervisory experience described above; or
• A four‑year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a state’s department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and four years of satisfactory full‑time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience including one year of the administrative supervisory experience described above; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to the options above.

However, all candidates must possess the one year of administrative or supervisory experience as described in the first option. Education above the high school level may be substituted for the general clerical/administrative experience (but not for the one year of administrative or supervisory experience) at a rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for 6 months of experience, up to a maximum of 3 years.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Medicaid eligibility, policies and procedures
• Demonstrated customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to multitask
• Well organized
• Strong writing skills
• Strong data entry and computer skills
• Super