Adjudicator 1

GVRA:

The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency operates five integrated and interdependent statutory programs that share a primary goal - to help people with disabilities to become fully productive members of society by achieving independence and meaningful employment. Our programs impact both employers and job seekers. Our bottom line is to tailor our services to fit your needs. And our promise to you is consistent professional service with responsive and responsible follow-up.

Summary/Objective:

Under supervision, assists in gathering and assessing evidence to decide or recommend decisions on claims or appeals concerning government programs or other government-related matters and prepares decisions.

Note: Candidates must be able to start no later than July 1, 2024

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Reviews and analyzes evidence of illness, injury, disease or other medical conditions and vocational factors, which prevent an individual from gainful employment, and renders a determination to approve or deny disability benefits.

• Prepares a detailed written analysis explaining the facts of the case and the basis for the decision and provides written notice to the claimant and the Social Security Administration.

• Maintains a caseload of initial Social Security Disability claims, and claims for Supplemental Security Income, at various stages of development, and exercises judgment to ensure resolution of all issues.

• Protects and safeguards confidential and sensitive personal, medical, and vocational information in accordance with federal and state mandates.

• Completes case reviews and writes a comprehensive analysis on initial disability cases, at different stages of development, to assure compliance with the Social Security laws and regulations and legal statutes utilizing the appropriate internal office procedures.

• Determines the medical and vocational information needed to substantiate the claim, analyze medical, vocational, educational, and other collateral information received, and integrates those findings with Social Security regulations concerning disability, and with facts of that claim.

• Determines the need for additional medical tests, evaluations, or consultative examinations in the fields of medicine, psychology, psychiatry, or other specialties, and arranges for expenditure of funds for medical evidence.

• Prepares a written residual functional capacity assessment based on the severity of the medical condition and the nature of the impairment.

• Consult with internal and external professionals or contract providers, including physicians, psychologists, and vocational experts to address highly complex issues.

• Interviews or corresponds with claimants, family members, legal representatives, employers, community resources and others as needed, to obtain additional information or collateral evidence concerning an individual's functional abilities.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Competencies:

• Accountability

• Critical Thinking

• Judgment and Decision Making

• Focus on Quality

• Initiative

• Problem Solving/Analysis

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and smartphones.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

Incumbents working in this job perform duties in an office setting. This is a 40-hour workweek requirement. The position may involve managing a high-volume workload and demands a high level of accuracy while working with deadlines. Regular attendance is an important part of being successful in this position. Reasonable accommodation can be made available to qualified individuals upon request.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This position occasionally requires long hours and weekend work.

Travel:

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:

As a condition of employment with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, you must successfully complete a mandatory federal and national background check, pre-employment testing, and additional checks required for your job.

All candidates interested in employment with The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency does not offer sponsorships for current or future employment visas (e.g., H-B1 employment visa).

AAP/EEO Statement:

GVRA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request reasonable accommodation during any step in the hiring process, please contact our HR Team at ada_request@gvs.ga.gov.

Preferred Education and Experience

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the required education and experience, are bilingual/fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in a foreign language.

Bachelor's degree in a related area from an accredited college or university OR Three years of experience in interpreting and applying laws regarding program eligibility.

Additional Information

• Agency Logo: Requisition ID: LEG026O

• Number of Openings: 11

• Advertised Salary: 34,248.75 - 45,927.00

• Shift: Day Job

• Posting End Date: May 8, 2024