Hearing Assistant

Office of Legal & Acquisition Services

The Bureau of State Hearings conducts fair hearings and provides due process for appeals related to the program benefits administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and its state partner agencies.

What You’ll Do

• Receives and processes a variety of documents and telephone inquiries related to the hearings process.
• Completes data entry for all types of hearing requests including researching the Ohio Benefits Worker Portal, Hearing and Appeals Tracking System (HATS X) other systems related to state hearings.
• Assembles the initial electronic hearing record including identifying appropriate stakeholders, authorized and legal representatives, and third party agencies.
• Responds to stakeholder inquiries regarding the state hearings process via telephone and email.
• Utilizes personal computer on network and applicable software applications to complete assigned duties.

Challenges

The Bureau of State Hearings is a fast-paced, production environment due to the volume of work and the requirement to meet established federal standards and timelines. You may occasionally interact with uncooperative parties in the hearing process, particularly on the telephone. You should be able to recognize and shift priorities as necessary to meet established timelines.

Necessary Skills

• Ability to operate personal computer and applicable software applications to complete job duties.
• Ability to respond to telephone and email inquiries from stakeholders.
• Ability to apply established rules, policies, and procedures to assigned tasks.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.
• Knowledge of general office practices including keyboarding, data entry, and telephone skills.

Schedule: 8 am - 5 pm, M-F. Flex schedule may be considered after the probationary period is completed.

Travel: This job does not involve routine travel. For any assignments that require travel to headquarter location or other state or county office, you must be able to provide own transportation.

PN(s): 20036783, 20042484

Salary

• $20.99

Qualifications

The ideal candidate, at minimum, must have the following:

OPTION 1:

• 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in processing benefit claims under appeal.

Option 2:

• 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in position involving research, written & oral business communications & public contact.

Option 3:

• Formal education in arithmetic which involved fractions, decimals & percentages; completion of legal secretarial training program offered by technical college or business school.

Option 4:

• Equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.

Tips For Your Application

When completing the different sections of this application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this job posting. We cannot give you credit for your Work Experience and Education & Certifications if you do not provide that information in your online application. Information in attached resumes or cover letters must be entered into your application in the appropriate Work Experience or Education & Certification sections to be considered.

Pay Information

This position is in the State of Ohio’s OCSEA Pay Schedule, Pay Range 27. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $20.99 per hour). These ranges provide a standardized pathway for pay increases. With continued employment, new hires move to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Cost of Living Adjustments increase wages in these ranges each fiscal year. The current step progression wages are in the table below.

Pay Range 27	Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4	Step 5	Step 6	Step 7
Hourly	$20.99	$21.63	$21.97	$22.55	$23.12	$23.79	$24.66
Annual	$43,659	$44,990	$45,698	$46,904	$48,090	$49,483	$51,293
Months of Employment	At Hire	6 months	18 months	30 months	42 months	54 Months	66 Months

Other Information

Telework Policy

ODJFS may require occasional in-person meetings for training or other operational needs. You will have access to ODJFS shared workspaces, if needed. Employees are required to sign a teleworking agreement upon their first day. Schedules are subject to change based on the agency’s operational needs and telework status. Telework is considered a privilege and agreements are reviewed annually.

NOTICE: Current employees of ODJFS in the OCSEA union have selection rights before all other applicants. Applications from all other candidates will only be considered if an internal OCSEA applicant is not selected for this position.

EEO Information

To speak to our EEO Coordinator or to request an ADA reasonable accommodation, please email us at ada_public@jfs.ohio.gov

Background check information

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Some positions may require drug testing and/or fingerprinting. Criminal convictions do not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.