Hearing Support Senior Specialist

Who We Are

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Public service is an honorable way to serve the community in a hands-on dedicated way. You can make a difference in someone’s world!

Guiding Principles

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented, diverse, and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.

NOTICE: This position will be headquartered in an ODJFS facility at one of the following cities - Columbus, Akron, or Dayton. This determination will take into account the proximity to the applicant's home address. 

·       Rhodes State Office Tower – 30 E. Broad Street, Columbus OH 43215

·       ODJFS Akron Facility - 172 S. Broadway St., Akron, OH 44308

·       ODJFS Dayton Facility - 6680 Poe Ave, Dayton, OH 45414

Office of Legal & Acquisition Services

The Bureau of State Hearings (BSH) handles appeals from individuals who disagree with decisions made about their public benefits. We make sure every person has a chance to present their case and receive a clear, timely decision regarding their appeal.  BSH serves individuals who receive Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Ohio Works First, Child Care, Child Support, Adoption Assistance, and Prevention Retention and Contingency. 

The successful candidate for this position will be assigned to the Pre-Hearing Resolution (PHR) Team. This team proactively identifies and resolves appeals prior to a formal state hearing. This role plays a key part in improving efficiency, reducing administrative burden, and ensuring timely outcomes for appellants and other interested parties.  Learn more about the Office by visiting the ODJFS OLAS webpage.

What You Will Do

• Collaborate with appellants, county agencies, legal representatives, authorized representatives, other stakeholders, and Bureau of State Hearings (BSH) staff to identify, research, and resolve appeals that may be settled without a formal hearing.

• Communicate with appellants via phone and email to discuss resolution options and facilitate next steps.

• Work in the Hearing and Appeals Tracking System (HATS X) and the Ohio Benefits Worker Portal (OB) to review case information and document actions.

• Perform additional support staff duties as assigned, including request initiation and quality control review.

• Use a personal computer and standard office software applications to complete daily assignments and support bureau operations.

Challenges

The Bureau of State Hearings is a fast-paced environment with a high volume of work. Many tasks must be completed within strict federal timeframes, so staying organized is important. You will need to shift priorities quickly when urgent requests arise. You may occasionally interact with upset or uncooperative individuals, especially over the phone, and will need to remain calm and professional. 

Schedule: Full-time 

Hours: Standard workdays are Monday through Friday. Hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Travel: Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.

PN(s): 20038756

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

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

Option 1:

• Completion of associate core coursework in secretarial science or business office applications from accredited career school or community college.

AND 

• 12 mos. exp. in secretarial/administrative professional field.

Option 2:

• 30 mos. exp. or 30 mos. trg. in secretarial/administrative professional field.

   

Option 3: 

• 12 mos. exp. as Administrative Professional 2, 16872.

Or

• 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 Schedule, Pay Range 30. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $25.77 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.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6 

Step 7 

$25.77

$26.76

$27.92

$29.22

$30.55

$31.88

$33.52

$53,602

$55,661

$58,074

$60,778

$63,544

$66,310

 $69,722

At Hire

6 Months

18 Months

30 Months

42 Months

54 Months 

66 Months 

ADA Notice

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact ada_public@jfs.ohio.gov

Selection Priority Notice OCSEA 

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.

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.

NOTICE: This position will be headquartered in an ODJFS facility in one of the following cities- Columbus, Akron, or Dayton. This determination will take into account the proximity to the applicant’s home address.

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.

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.