Disability Evaluation Analyst Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established May 21, 1981

Scope

This series specification describes various professional levels within the Disability and Adult Programs Division, Department of Social Services. Positions in these classes are involved in obtaining and analyzing medical, personal, and vocational informa-tion in the adjudication of claims for disability benefits under Title II (Disability Insurance), Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income), and Title XIX (Medically Needy Medi-Cal) of the Social Security Act. Incumbents in this series are also responsible for Residual Functional Capacity preparation and for analyzing vocational factors requiring complete knowledge of jobs and the transferability of vocational skills from one job to another; performing quasi-judicial reappraisals for final determination of claims for reconsideration or continuing disability; training other professional staff; performing division support and program service functions; analyzing and resolving program support need; investigating problem areas; gathering, compiling, and displaying data; designing and conducting studies and analyzing the findings; and recommending new equipment, procedures, or approaches.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Scope of responsibility assigned, the complexity of work, the independence of action, supervisory responsibility, and decision-making responsibilities.

Definition of Levels

Disability Evaluation Analyst

This is the entry, training, and first working level in this series. Incumbents adjudicate initial level claims for disability benefits.

Disability Evaluation Analyst II

This is the full journey level. Incumbents perform responsible, varied, and complex adjudication of claims for disability benefits. They may act as team leaders and assist in the training of lower level analysts and serve as Reconsideration or Continuing Disability Specialists; participate in, and may have sole responsibility for, analytical studies and other activities required for program support; and prepare reports and make recommendations regarding technical and complex program support issues.

Disability Evaluation Analyst III

This is the advanced journey level. Incumbents perform the most responsible, varied, and complex adjudication of claims for disability benefits including Residual Functional Capacities preparation; may conduct end-of-line quality assurance reviews, in-line quality review on claims in process, and provide vocational factors expertise on the most complex cases; may act as team leaders and assist in the training of lower level analysts; may serve as disability hearing officers conducting reconsideration hearings; and may serve as Division Support Personnel or Program Specialists responsible for special studies on complex program issues in the Disability Evaluation Program.

Minimum Qualifications

Disability Evaluation Analyst

Either I

Six months of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Disability Evaluation Technician, Range B.

Or II

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Program Technician II. These duties must entail the dissemination of knowledge of the regulations and policies governing the Disability Evaluation Program.

Or III

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they will be eligible for appointment.)

Disability Evaluation Analyst II

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Disability Evaluation Analyst, Range C. (Applicants who have completed six months performing the duties of a Disability Evaluation Analyst, Range C, will be admitted to the examination, but they must satisfactorily complete 12 months of experience in Range C before they will be eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Experience: Two years of technical experience with primary responsibility for the medical evaluation of the physical or mental functioning of adults or children. (Experience that is limited either to the determination of eligibility for financial assistance or to the placement of persons without employment handicaps is not considered qualifying experience.) (Graduate work in disability determination, rehabilitation counseling, social work, or psychology may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.) (Experience in California state service applied toward this requirement must include one year in a class equivalent in level of responsibility to a Disability Evaluation Analyst, Range C.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Disability Evaluation Analyst III

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Disability Evaluation Analyst II. (Applicants who have completed six months performing the duties of a Disability Evaluation Analyst II will be admitted to the examination, but they must satisfactorily complete 12 months of experience as a Disability Evaluation Analyst II before they will be eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Eighteen months of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Disability Evaluation Analyst, Range C. (Applicants who have completed 12 months performing the duties of a Disability Evaluation Analyst, Range C, will be admitted to the examination, but they must satisfactorily complete 18 months of experience in Range C before they will be eligible for appointment.

Or III

Experience: Three years of technical experience with primary responsibility for the medical evaluation of the physical or mental functioning of adults or children. (Experience that is limited either to the determination of eligibility for financial assistance or to the placement of persons without employment handicaps is not considered qualifying experience.) (Graduate work in disability determination, rehabilitation counseling, social work, or psychology may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-basis.) (Experience in California state service applied toward this requirement must include one year of experience in a class equivalent in level of responsibility to a Disability Evaluation Analyst II.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Disability Evaluation Analyst

Knowledge of: Aptitude for learning and understanding a broad range of technical data and applying it to individual cases.

Ability to: Determine what information is needed, gather the information from a variety of sources, evaluate it, and come to an objective decision; analyze data; communicate ideas and information effectively; gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of the work; make special studies and reports; establish and maintain priorities.

Disability Evaluation Analyst II

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and trends in occupational placement; regulations and policies of the Disability Evaluation Program; principles, procedures, and techniques used in disability evaluation; medical terminology and its implications; adjudicative principles and techniques; type and nature of disabilities and expected physical or mental limitations; the Division's support service functions.

Ability to: All of the above.

Disability Evaluation Analyst III

Knowledge of: All of the above for Disability Evaluation Analyst and Disability Evaluation Analyst II, and principles of public administration, personnel management, and in-service training; laws, policies, and procedures governing the Department of Social Services; employment trends and types of work found in a variety of public and private organizations; medical care programs and basic medical and psychiatric conditions in relation to the rehabilitation process.

Ability to: In addition to the above, review and edit written reports; effectively make group presentations; analyze complex medical evidence to determine Residual Functional Capacity.

Special Personal Requirements

All Levels:

Demonstrated ability to act independently, open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact; willingness to make field visits away from established headquarters.

Class History