This is an open and continuous posting for full-time Vocational Disability Examiner positions with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and the Disability Determination Services (DDS) Division.

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) and the Disability Determination Services (DSS) Division is seeking experienced and mission-driven individuals to fill the role of Vocational Disability Examiner. In this role, the selected candidates will adjudicate SSA Disability cases; review decisions and appeals on previously adjudicated cases, and analyze findings of fact in prior decisions. The Vocational Disability Examiner will also evaluate applicants’ eligibility for disability insurance benefits, contact applicants and others to verify information, confer with medical consultants to evaluate diagnoses, determine need for consultative examinations, and prepare detailed determination rationale.

Please Note:

In accordance with The Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors, all selected candidates for positions in the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission / Disability Determination Services Division are required to undergo a complete federal background investigation. A suitability determination by the Social Security Administration is necessary to determine whether an employee can be issued credentials in order to have access to Social Security disability data, records, and systems.

For more information regarding this requirement go to:

http://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-presidential-directive-12

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Analyze findings of fact in initial claims including medical, psychiatric, psychological, vocational and educational information for consistency with evidence submitted by claimant and/or others to determine whether all information is valid, consistent and sufficient to determine eligibility and whether all information has been properly weighted as well as determining potential need for DPH child referrals.
• Review previously adjudicated cases and determine need for reopening.
• Based on findings of facts, affirm or reverse original case decisions and recommend continuation or cessation of benefits with referral to DHU when necessary.
• Confer with medical and psychological consultants to determine merits of cases and necessity of obtaining additional information and resolve cases by confirming or rebutting opinion or conflicting evidence submitted by claimant, physicians, employers or other parties involved.
• Confer with the consultants to determine the need for consultative examinations and tests to provide medical and/or psychiatric evidence.
• Contact applicants, applicants’ physicians, hospitals, school, third party sources and places of employment to verify, clarify, elaborate on, or supplement previously submitted data and advise applicants on how to obtain required information to support claim.
• Confer with consultants to evaluate diagnoses, prognoses, and degree of medical and mental impairments and compare medical information with vocational impairment on clients in order to determine extent of vocational impairment.
• Determine date of onset of disability by reviewing work history and establishes reevaluation date for all allowed cases.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to develop strong working relationships and work collaboratively with diverse entities within public and private sectors.
• Capability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing assigned program activities.
• Ability to analyze, present, and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information, maintain accurate records.
• Responsible for learning and staying up to date on MRC’s diversity, equity, inclusion and racial equity skills, results and expectations specific to DDS programs.
• Experience working in a team culture that values inclusivity, performance, transparency, and authenticity.
• Knowledge of and experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial equity and effective engagement across differences.
• Experience working in a team culture that values inclusivity, performance, transparency, and authenticity.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook as well as technologies supporting Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Solid written and oral communication skills and proficiency establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of diverse consumers, families, staff, and organizations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of reference sources for occupational information.
• Experience with the types, uses and location of agency forms and software.
• Ability to read and interpret medical documents such as laboratory results and doctors’ requests as well as medical terminology and abbreviations.
• Understanding of the methods and techniques used for appraising physical and mental capacities relative to the disability determination function.
• Current understanding of the types of laboratory tests used to obtain evidence of impairment of function of human organs.
• Awareness of the principals and techniques used for the evaluation of rehabilitation potential of individuals with physical, mental and emotional impairments.
• Experience with managing a caseload of consumers.

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying.

About the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) promotes equality, empowerment and independence of individuals with disabilities. These goals are achieved through enhancing and encouraging personal choice and the right to succeed or fail in the pursuit of independence and employment in the community. The MRC provides comprehensive services to people with disabilities that maximize their quality of life and economic self-sufficiency in the community.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/mrc

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check (CORI) will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. In addition, the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors, requires candidates for positions in the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission / Disability Determination Services to undergo a complete federal background investigation. A suitability determination by the Social Security Administration is necessary to determine whether an employee can be issued credentials in order to have access to Social Security disability data, records, and systems. For more information, please visit:

http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

http://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-presidential-directive-12

As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 2.

Applicants should upload a cover letter and resume for the Vocational Disability Examiner I - Continuous posting.