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 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.
Main Purpose of Job
The State of Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission is currently seeking a highly organized, problem-solving team player in its Hearings Division. The Hearings Division is responsible for providing the Commissioners with relevant information needed for the adjudication of workers' compensation claims. It is responsible for processing Orders, Settlements and correspondence as decided and determined by a WCC Commissioner. The main purpose of the position is to act as direct liaison to a Commissioner insuring that no administrative breakdowns occur during the absence of the Commissioner. The incumbent must perform extremely well in a high-pressure, high-volume job that requires close and often exacerbating contact with the public and the legal profession. The incumbent must have the ability and willingness to accept responsibility and act on his/her own judgment freeing the Commissioner from many details and allowing them to concentrate in hearing cases and dealing with adjunct legal matters to a far greater extent than would be otherwise possible. The incumbent must also possess the ability to multi-task insuring efficient workflow, specifically through prioritization and organization. The Commissioner's office functions efficiently, in great measure, due to the independent judgment and assertiveness of the Assistant.
The Assistant to the Commissioner I position requires exercise of imagination, skill and tact and is essentially administrative and not secretarial. These positions are unique in that the incumbent must have the intellect to learn a considerable amount of law, not only to develop and process the great volume in incoming/outgoing legal documents but also to address inquiries made to the office by lawyers and insurance company representatives. The incumbent must have management talent to coordinate the flow of documents and information between the various divisions within the agency, the Commissioner's office being the hub around which all the others evolve concerning the adjudication of cases. Furthermore, the incumbent must have the tact to deal with the public, as well as public officials, employers, insurance carriers and lawyers on a daily basis. 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 of the above while respecting the right of privacy and confidentiality of all those concerned.
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.
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 14.09.11.01. 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.
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 work processor at a minimum of forty 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
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 (24-003507-0002) 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 wccpers@wcc.state.md.us.
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.
