State of Maryland

An Assistant to the Commissioner I Workers’ Compensation Commission is the intermediate level of work providing paralegal support to a Worker’s Compensation Commissioner in the review, adjudication and processing of contested workers’ compensation claims.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a Workers' Compensation Commissioner.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by 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 the class specification.

The Assistant to the Commissioner Trainee Workers' Compensation Commission, Assistant to the Commissioner I Workers' Compensation Commission and Assistant to the Commissioner II Workers' Compensation Commission are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Assistant to the Commissioner Trainee Workers' Compensation Commission performs duties under close supervision.  The Assistant to the Commissioner I Workers' Compensation Commission performs duties under close supervision at times and general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Assistant to the Commissioner II Workers' Compensation Commission performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Provides paralegal support to a Workers’ Compensation Commissioner;

Researches interpretations of workers' compensation laws and regulations in order to provide a Commissioner with relevant information needed for the adjudication of workers’ compensation claims;

Discusses proposed decisions that may be contrary to law with the Commissioner;

Examines case documents for legal sufficiency prior to the hearing of a workers’ compensation claim and examines and verifies medical bills for completeness and accuracy;

Coordinates the flow of legal documents and information between other divisions of the Workers' Compensation Commission and a Commissioner;

Calculates and composes Awards of Compensation;

Dictates Awards of Compensation, Orders of various kinds and correspondence to clerical staff and supervises their preparation;

Prepares and keyboards various orders resulting from hearing decisions of a Commissioner;

Obtains information and answers inquiries from claimants, insurance representatives, Attorneys, employers and other persons;

Examines Compromise and Settlement Agreements in order to insure accuracy of information and documentation filed;

Reviews Lump Sum Applications, determines balance of compensation to be awarded and recommends approval or disapproval to a Commissioner;

Prepares proposed stipulations in correct legal form, recommends acceptance or rejection, and returns improperly filed stipulations with instructions for appropriate action;

Prepares itinerary and expense accounts, coordinates and schedules appointments, conferences, conference calls and special hearings for a Commissioner;

Reviews requests for postponement of cases set for hearing, change of venue or emergency hearings and recommends action to a Commissioner;

Calls docket in hearing room, authorizes continuance of cases, records stipulations and official filing of documents for a Commissioner's file when acting as a Commissioner's representative;

Transmits orders and instructions with the authority of the Commissioner;

Maintains the hearings schedule of the Commissioner;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of business mathematics, business English, spelling, punctuation and grammar;

Knowledge of the function, organization, policies, procedures, and governing laws and regulations of the Workers' Compensation Commission;

Ability to research and interpret worker’s compensation laws and regulations and to make decisions and recommendations in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;

Ability to calculate and compose Awards of Compensation;

Ability to review supportive documentation in a workers’ compensation claim for conformity to law, regulations and policies;

Ability to maintain case files and schedules;

Ability to prepare and present recommendations and information clearly and concisely;

Ability to maintain the confidentiality of case files, records and testimony;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Commissioners, Attorneys, agency staff, claimants and the general public;

Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work;

Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment in executing work assignments.

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.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering 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 not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.