YOU MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE JOB OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR, IF THIS IS A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT, WHEN A TEST BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE ASSOCIATE JOB OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (AJOS) TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE EXAM TO REMAIN IN THE AJOS TITLE.


The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

The Office of Legal Affairs /Fair Hearing Division (OLA/FHD) is recruiting for two Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist Level II (ABOS II) to function as Fair Hearing Representatives in the Central Hearing Unit. Under general supervision of the Fair Hearing Field Supervisor and with wide latitude for independent judgement and initiative, the Fair Hearing Agency Representative represents the Agency (FIA) at New York State Fair Hearings in an effort to defend and resolve disputes on public assistance case actions that assist in moving participants toward economic independence by presenting and defending Fair Hearing cases.


- Represent the Agency at New York State Administrative Hearings by presenting and defending Fair Hearing cases. In the course of representing the Agency, interview witness, cross examine clients and provides the State Administrative Law Judges with a complete and relevant case record and supporting documents to justify the challenged action.

- Supervise the activities of the Fair Hearing and Service Specialists. Provide any additional preparation of fair hearing evidence packets to ensure that packets are adequate to present at Fair Hearings, giving feedback whenever additional documents are required for case presentation.

- Update Fair Hearing checklists as determined by feedback from the Fair Hearing Officer via dispositions and outcomes. Engage in post fair hearing activities, including preparation of reports and request for case action based on evidence presented or agreements made in hearing room and transmitting this information back to the sites for follow-up actions to be initiated.


- Review Fair Hearing decisions and recommend actions to challenge decision when appropriate; enter appropriate case actions utilizing all relevant agency systems such as WMS, POS, SEAMS, FHIS and HRA Viewer.

- Train Fair Hearing staff in performance of work activities by holding individual and unit informational meetings in order to improve staff areas of competence. Design strategies and dense to increase the Fair Hearing Win Rate and to further decrease any need for Fair Hearings that impede participant’s movement towards financial independence.

- Meet on a regular bases with Center Directors and Center staff and participates in BAC (Benefit Access Center) cabinet meetings to review Job Center Fair Hearing tends and causal factors.

WORK LOCATION: 3050 West 21 St, Brooklyn NY

WORK HOURS: 9am – 5 pm with flex

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and three years of
full-time satisfactory experience working directly in social/human services or a
related setting, providing either:
a) client services.
b) employment planning/counseling services which involves job development,
skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic
opportunity programming.
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full[1]time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or
3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full[1]time satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above.
4. College credit from an accredited college may be substituted for this experience
on the basis of 60 semester credits for 9 months of the work experience described
above. However, all candidates must have at least 18 months of full-time
satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or performing
social/human services work as described in one (1) above

- Excellent communication and writing skills. - Knowledge of Agency operations and NYS social service policy/procedures. - Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills. - Detail oriented. - Knowledge of FHEMS, WMS, POS, NYCWAY, SEAMS - Exceptional Excel Skills - Interpersonal Skills

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City Residency is not required for this position

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.