Repost Assistant To The Commissioner I

Introduction

OUR MISSION

The Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission seeks to secure the equitable and timely administration of the provisions of the Maryland Workers' Compensation law on behalf of its customer, the injured workers, and their employers, by providing an efficient forum for the resolution of individual claims.

OUR VISION

The Workers' Compensation Commission envisions a state wherein injured workers and employers are empowered to create an equitable partnership to facilitate prompt and fair resolution of workers' compensation matters.

ABOUT US

Together we profoundly touch the lives of so many people and have enormous responsibility to the community by fulfilling our mission of securing equitable and timely administration of the law. The Commission continues to provide services to our constituent partners at a level rarely met throughout the United States. The professionalism, work ethic, and technological acumen manifest in our operations allows us to smoothly and effectively manage the challenges which invariably arise. Every division within the agency plays a vital role in keeping us in the forefront nationally...

GRADE

12

This position is eligible for a 3 grade/18% non-competitive promotion to an Assistant to the Commissioner II (grade 15 -$57,275 - $83,432 with growth to $92,108) after satisfactorily completing a training program and performing the full range of duties and responsibilities of the classification under general supervision.

LOCATION OF POSITION

10 E. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21202

Main Purpose of Job

The essential function of the
position within the organization is to provide legal administrative support to
an assigned commissioner's office. The position performs moderate
administrative tasks of high responsibility in accordance with regulations,
procedures, and developing work methods.  The position works independently under
moderate supervision; however, it is in a "team" environment.  Position coordinates and manages the daily
operations of an assigned commissioner's office.   Must have the intellect to learn a
considerable amount of law, not only to develop, type, and process a high
volume of incoming and outgoing correspondence, orders, and other legal
documents, but also to address inquiries made to the office by attorneys,
insurance carrier representatives, employers, and injured workers.  Coordinates and schedules special matters to
be heard by the Commissioner, attorneys, and other involved parties. 

This position is to act as a direct
liaison to an assigned Commissioner ensuring that no administrative breakdowns
occur during the absence of the Commissioner.
The incumbent must perform extremely well in a high-pressure
environment. This is a high-volume job that requires close and often
exacerbating contact with the public and the legal profession.  The
incumbent must possess the ability to translate legal jargon into lay language
to accommodate the needs of inquiries in a courteous and professional manner,
using clear and concise verbal and written skills.  In addition, the incumbent must possess the
discretion to do all the above while respecting the right of privacy and
confidentiality of all those concerned.

This position is also responsible for
activities relating to the processing of appeals for the Workers' Compensation
Commission in accordance with COMAR Coordinates case Management and
interprets court orders and judicial reviews to ensure documents are filed in a
timely manner in accordance with COMAR a) and and
applicable Maryland Rules.

POSITION DUTIES

Analyzes, prepares, calculates, and processes legal Awards/Orders from the Commissioner's decisions and legal documents submitted. Processes Subsequent Injury Fund (SIF) orders with varying level of assistance and guidance.  Addresses inquiries on Commissioner duty days and in a commissioner's absence. 

Examines case documents for legal sufficiency prior to the hearing of a compensation claim. Coordinates the flow of legal documents and information between other divisions within the Commission and a Commissioner.  Handles dockets, including but not limited to reviewing, assembling, and breaking down, pre and post data entry, emergency and special request scheduling and postponements.

Researches and interprets workers' compensation laws and regulations to provide a Commissioner with relevant information needed for the adjudication of workers' compensation claims. Reviews US mail, interdepartmental mail and email for processing, answers phone and walk- in requests and inquiries and performs queue work timely, applying to Workers' Compensation law, regulations, and procedures. Prepares itinerary, leave requests and expense accounts, schedules appointments, telephone conferences/hearings and meetings for the Commissioner.

Acts as a backup to the Appeals Coordinator when they are out of the office---Receives and prioritizes and interprets appeals correspondence scanned in WCC's current and any other future operating system (i.e. Comphub) and applications received from the Circuit Courts from 24 jurisdictions and the Appellate Court of Maryland, and Maryland Supreme Court to ensure documents are being processed and acted upon in accordance with COMAR Processes workflow in the Appeals queue by processing notices of appeal and providing timely notice to court reporters.  Reviews the court motions, orders, and docket entries. Reviews case files to determine status of appeals filing; verifies identification of filing party, other interested parties and take proper actions accordingly.  Knowledgeable with all WCC polices and all regulations and state laws dealing with appeals. In accordance with Maryland Rule 7-206, prepares case files for the judicial review process.  Provides timely notice to court reporters of an appeal to ensure transcripts are processed timely.
Identifies the original hearing reporter and notification provided via computer printout.  Determines the appropriate action to be taken in routing the court decisions to proper division, department, or unit. Reviews documents in queues to determine whether to process the document or forward it to a court reporter, an assistant to a Commissioner, or the hearing section for action. 

Initiates and follows up on search requests for documents not submitted within five working days. (Time sensitive documents). Corrects inaccurate information and documents changes in WCC's current and any other future operating system (i.e. Comphub) and applications. 

Provides assistance with inquiries from attorneys and other parties regarding information on claim status and the status of appeals. Notifies appellants of any discrepancies and court reporters if necessary.  Analyzes incoming mail and correspondence prior to scanning into WCC's current and any other future operating system (i.e. Comphub) and applications to determine the proper queue placement. 

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience in work requiring knowledge of the function, organization, procedures and governing laws and regulations of the Workers' Compensation Commission.

OR

Six months experience providing paralegal support to a Workers' Compensation Commissioner in the review, adjudication and processing of contested workers' compensation claims.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience in work requiring knowledge of the function, organization, procedures and governing laws and regulations of the Workers' Compensation Commission on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Paralegal Specialist classifications or Paralegal Specialist specialty codes in the Legal and Kindred field of work involving workers' compensation claims on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated ability to accurately keyboard on a typewriter, a personal computer, computer terminal or word processor at a minimum of forty (40) words per minute is required.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

If you are unable to apply online, or encounter difficulty attaching required or optional documentation, you may submit via mail or deliver in person. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing. Submission of a resume is strongly encouraged.

PLEASE DO NOT FAX OR EMAIL UNSOLICITED DOCUMENTATION

Completed applications, required documentation, and any required addendums may be mailed to:

Workers' Compensation Commission 
Attn: Personnel Division
10 E. Baltimore Street, 7th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202

The MD State Application Form can be found online.

For more information, please email

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

Workers' Compensation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of WCC that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.

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