APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (BOS) CIVIL SERVICE TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR. THIS IS A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT, WHEN A TEST BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (ABOS) TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE EXAM TO REMAIN IN THE ABOS 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.

Fair Hearing and Conference/Pre-NOI/FH New Initiatives & Quality Analysis, formerly known as Fair Hearing Representation, consists of three areas in the Division of Fair Hearing: Fair Hearing & Conference (FH&C), which supports the agency to avoid fair hearing requests, scheduling of hearing that eliminate the chargeback from the Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance (OTDA); Pre Notice of Intent (Pre-NOI), which supports the agency to address clients' disagreement with the agency actions or changes made to their households; and Fair Hearing New Initiatives & Quality Analysis (FHNIQA), which offers on-going support, resources and guidance for all new initiatives related FIA, Medicaid, Advocate Inquiry, Office of Administrative Hearing (OAI I), Office Program Performance & Financial Management (OPPFM) and Department and Homeless Services (OHS).

Fair Hearing Administration is seeking an Associate Benefit Opportunity Specialist I to function as Fair Hearing & Conference Specialist in the Fair Hearing and Conference Unit

Fair Hearing Administration is recruiting for one (1) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I to function as Fair Hearing Service Specialist.

Under general supervision of the Fair Hearing Representative and with wide latitude for independent action and decision, Fair hearing Conference Specialist performs administrative duties relating to the resolution of adverse case action related to Agency decisions affecting receipt of Cash Assistance, SNAP and Medicaid benefits, and the preparation of documentation for presentation of evidence at Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).


The Fair Hearing Service Specialist will:

- Work with Cash Assistance recipients in the resolution of case actions relating to Agency decisions affecting the receipt of CA benefits, SNAP, and Medicaid benefits by conducting conferences with the recipients to review and determine the appropriateness of Agency’s action. Notify clients of the conference decision and ensure, if warranted, that appropriate corrective action on the case be taken by notifying Job Center staff of required action to be taken to resolve cases.


- Conduct in person and/or telephone conferences to determine whether cases can be resolved. Review databases (including WMS, POS, SEAMS, Etc.) connected with Client’s case to determine accuracy of actions taken or to determine if Notices of Intent (NOI)/ decisions are defective. Take appropriate action to correct any cases that can be resolved and works within the FHEMS system to route cases to the appropriate Fair Hearings/FIA Unit

- Advise and explain Fair Hearing processes to clients and/or their representative of their rights to appeal any adverse conference decisions to the New York State Department of Social Service Fair Hearing Division

- Prepare electronic Fair Hearing evidence packets through use of the FHEMS system, incorporating all relevant documents for presentation of evidence at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Communicate with Fair Hearing Representatives to ensure that all evidence packets are complete and that any resolutions taken are part of the packet.

- Review the fair hearing stipulations (Pre-Hearing Disposition (PHD) to determine appropriate follow-up action. Notifies the Job Center staff of the required action to be completed to comply with Fair hearing decisions.

- Monitor and review individual System queues to ensure all work is completed in a timely manner. Consult with immediate supervisor to determine workload issues and appropriateness of actions taken on cases. Continues to stay abreast of changes in Agency Policies and Procedures, maintaining understanding of changes in the FHEMs system.

- Serve as the service representative for client complaints and determines what action is necessary to resolve such complains; reviews social service problem areas to determine any causative factors affecting service complaints. When necessary, provide referrals to other social service agencies within HRA.

- Receive and respond verbally or in writing, to telephone or written inquiries and complaints from outside agencies, public officials and central office operations regarding clients and fair hearing activities.

- Under the direction of the covering Office manager, provide emergency coverage at other location within the same Region.


Work Location:
Far Rockaway, Queens

Hours/Schedule:
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 time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or
3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full 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.

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.