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DCA Vocational Specialist

Date Posted: Dec 1, 2025

Requisition ID: 468869

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46219

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA):

FSSA was established by the Indiana General Assembly in 1991 to consolidate and better integrate the delivery of human services by state government. FSSA is a health care and social services funding agency. Ninety-four percent of the agency’s total budget is paid to thousands of service providers ranging from major medical centers to a physical therapist working with a child or adult with a developmental disability. The seven care divisions in FSSA administer services to more than 1.5 million Hoosiers. FSSA’s mission is to compassionately serve Hoosiers of all ages and connect them with social services, health care and their communities.

Disability Determination Bureau: Title II (Disability Insurance) covers workers who have established eligibility through prior work and Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) has a needs-based income and resource eligibility requirement. The purpose of these programs is to identify people who have disabilities that preclude the ability to work, or for children, preclude the ability to fully participate in learning activities. These programs have two desired outcomes. The first desired outcome is to correctly identify disabled adults and children. The second desired outcome is to have adults with potential referred to a public or private Vocational Rehabilitation Services, through the Social Security Administration’s “Ticket to Work” program.

Role Overview:

This role, Disability Claims Adjudicator 2 - Vocational Specialist, completes vocational referrals, identifying and advising on the need for additional vocational documentation, identifying PRW matches in Occubrowse, and perform transferability of skills assessment. You will also meet with colleagues via Office Hours to discuss cases upon request. This role will be cross trained to perform IQA reviews as workloads allow and will complete assigned special projects that may include conducting DE and/or vocational training, development of vocational resources. This role requires applicants to be fully trained Disability Claims Adjudicators and completion of CDR training.

Salary Statement:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

+ Provide accurate and thoroughly researched medical, policy and technical guidance to all adjudicative staff, to include physicians, supervisors, adjudicators, and support staff.

+ Review claims returned by the SSA Disability Quality Branch with cited deficiencies and write rebuttals.

+ Review and comment on draft policy changes proposed by SSA.

+ Adjudicate technically difficult cases and maintain a specialized caseload, including high priority cases.

+ Review cases referred to the CDI Unit for potential fraud or similar fault.

+ Assist in training new contract medical staff and resolve medical staff or operations disagreements.

+ Participate in on-going special projects such as the DDB’s arbitration process serving alternately as coordinator of arbitration panels and panel participant.

+ Reviewing claimants’ work histories for sufficiency, and concisely detailing additional information needed.

+ Identifying acquired skills and researching for possible transferability of skills.

+ Drafting updates and additions to DDB’s instructional and training materials.

+ Developing and conducting training for all staff, as directed.

+ Conduct due process administrative hearings for continued eligibility of benefits.

+ Maintain the consultative examiner file, with accurate data for scheduling and payment processing.

+ Perform on-site reviews of exam facilities and procedures

+ Recruit medical, psychological, and speech and language vendors to perform consultative examinations and collateral testing.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

+ Five years of full-time professional experience in the evaluation and adjudication of Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income claims and successful completion of the four phases of the Disability Claims Adjudicator Training Program. Accredited college training may substitute for the required experience, with a maximum substitution of four years.

+ Extensive knowledge of and the ability to understand and apply the established principals, policies and guidelines of the Social Security Administration pertaining to case evaluation, program operation procedures, Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Social Security Rulings, court decisions, vocational rules, and internal business processes.

+ Excellent organizational skills and the ability to quickly read voluminous documents in both paper and electronic format.

+ Ability to use multiple computer programs, and key data accurately and efficiently.

+ Ability to present ideas clearly and effectively, both written and orally, and to deal tactfully with others.

+ Ability to research medical references, such as the Merck Manual, Physicians’ Desk Reference, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

+ Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

This person must satisfy the following requirements to continue employment:

+ Must successfully pass both the State background check and the Federal HSPD-12 credentialing process.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

+ Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

+ Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

+ Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

+ Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match

+ Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

+ A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

+ 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers

+ Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

+ Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

+ 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

+ Education Reimbursement Program

+ Group life insurance

+ Referral Bonus program

+ Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

+ Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

+ Free Parking for most positions

+ Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].

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