State of Maryland

ASTD18

SKILLED SERVICE BARGAINING UNIT: F OVERTIME ELIGIBLE

A Disability Claims Quality Assurance Specialist is a senior level of work in the Disability Determination Services office in the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitation Services. Employees in this classification apply federal regulations and review determinations of eligibility for Social Security benefits for quality assurance; provide technical guidance in all disability or program areas to other Disability Claims Examiner or Technical Examiner staff, State departments, community organizations and the general public.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Program Manager or other designated administrator.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the Classification Job Evaluation Methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of a class specification.

The Disability Claims Quality Assurance Specialist is differentiated from the Disability Claims Technical Examiner in that the Disability Claims Quality Assurance Specialist functions as a quality review specialist for all the disability program areas while the Disability Claims Technical Examiner functions as a technical specialist in medical or vocational aspects in a specialized disability program area. The Disability Claims Quality Assurance Specialist is differentiated from the Disability Claims Examiner Supervisor in that the Disability Claims Examiner Supervisor has full supervisory responsibility for a unit of lower-level Disability Claims Examiners and support staff.

Conducts quality reviews of work in all areas of disability determination services;

Applies the policies, procedures, laws, regulations and directives governing the provision of disability determination services;

Provides support and technical guidance to other Disability Claims Examiners and Technical Examiners.

Provides in-service training and professional development to Disability Claims Examiners I & II and Disability Claims

Technical Examiners by providing technical information in all areas of disability determination services;

Reviews and analyzes claims at all stages of development for disability determination programs;

Reviews determinations of eligibility for disability programs including evaluation of medical and vocational evidence based on established criteria to determine degree and severity of a disability;

Examines and reviews the rationale justifying the award or denial of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Benefits;

Evaluates and analyzes claims for medical, vocational, or procedural deficiencies and determines proper course of action;

Prepare review and appraisal summary for any deficiencies and recommendations for corrective action;

Determines training and professional development needs;

Handles special assignments for the Division, Agency, or Social Security Administration;

Represent Agency by participating in regional or national Social Security Administration projects;

Assist in reviewing or establishing policies and procedures;

Analyzes claims returned from Social Security Administration and recommend appropriate course of action;

Consult with Medical/Psychiatric staff on returned cases for appropriate course of action;

Prepare formal reports;

Create and review resource material for training and professional development;

Uses electronic software to review and track disability claims;

Responds to inquiries from the public;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of Federal and State Disability Regulations;

Knowledge of Quality Assurance Standards and Methodology;

Knowledge of Medical and Vocational Documentation Requirements;

Knowledge of training principles in the SSA Disability Program;

Skill in auditing, examining, and analyzing initial and reconsideration adult and childhood claims, and Continuing Disability

Review (CDR) level claims at all stages of development;

Skill in creating highly precise, evidence-based formal reports, appraisal summaries, and formal rebuttal packages;

Skill in utilizing technical systems reporting tools to conduct comprehensive workflow, policy, or trend studies;

Skill in generating statistical displays and narrative summaries for leadership;

Skill in operating specialized electronic applications;

Ability to think critically and provide corrective training and guidance on complex claims;

Ability to communicate collaboratively and persuasively;

Ability to provide technical guidance, present oral reports, handle public inquiries, and convey constructive feedback;

Ability to function independently as a subject matter expert and implement training techniques;

Ability to formulate internal strategy and advisory policies.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor's degree.

Experience: Three years of professional work experience in the adjudication or processing of Social Security disability claims. One year of this experience must have been as a Disability Claims Technical Examiner.

NOT APPLICABLE.

Class descriptions broadly define groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit F, Social and Human Service Professionals classes. As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation. An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

August 1, 2026

Director, Division of Classification and Salary