Human Services Hearing Officer - Admin Region

Salary: $64,959.00 - $98,661.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2023-72308-48711
Department: Department of Human Services
Division: HS Bur Hrngs Appl
Opening Date: 01/17/2024
Closing Date: 1/31/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 48711
Position Number: 00187157
Union: Non-Union
Bargaining Unit: F3
Pay Group: ST08
Bureau / Division Code: 00211780
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Hearings and Appeals - Admin Region
Worksite Address: 2330 Vartan Way
Worksite Address: 2nd Floor
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: Yvonne Shetzline
Contact Email: yshetzline@pa.gov
THE POSITION
A new and exciting career awaits you! The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Hearings and Appeals is seeking a detail-oriented Human Services Hearings Officer with strong analytical skills to join their dynamic team of professionals. Do not miss out on this opportunity, apply now and discover the exciting prospects that await you!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
As a Human Services Hearing Officer, you will be responsible for the hearing and adjudication of recipient appeals regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as food stamps), cash assistance, medical assistance (MA) including Legacy MA and Affordable Care Act MA, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), program exception and prior authorization appeals, and non-recipient and provider appeals, encompassing over 150 issues.
You will also conduct quasi-judicial administrative hearings by contacting parties, explaining the hearing process, ruling on pre-hearing motions, conducting pre-hearing conferences, recording hearings (digital, tape, or court reporter/stenographer), administering oaths, examining witnesses, and determining timeliness of appeals.
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment (37.5-hour work week)
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time upon successful completion of your probationary period and/or training period. Your work assignments will primarily take place in the office. However, telework may be available based upon individual eligibility and the operational needs of the bureau. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
  
• The Department of Human Services provides excellent benefits, pay increases, paid leave and holidays, as well as opportunities for career advancement.
• FREE PARKING
• Salary: The starting salary is non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as an Income Maintenance Casework Supervisor (commonwealth title); or
• Three years of professional interviewing, investigative, or legal work experience which includes one year of experience conducting formal reviews of determinations subject to an appeal or adjudication process; and a bachelor's degree; or
• Graduation from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
  
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.

You may only apply/test once for this posting.

Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, six weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Income Maintenance Casework Supervisor for one or more years, full-time?

• Yes
• No

02
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03
How much full-time professional experience do you possess in interviewing, investigative, or legal work?

• 3 years or more
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

04
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05
How much full-time experience do you possess conducting formal reviews of determinations subject to an appeal or adjudication process?

• 1 year or more
• Less than 1 year
• None

06
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
07
Have you graduated from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information.

• Yes
• No

08
How much graduate coursework have you completed in law, social work, criminal justice, government administration, psychology, sociology, history, or math?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information.

• 90 credits or more
• 60 but less than 90 credits
• 30 but less than 60 credits
• Less than 30 credits
• None

09
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
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