SENIOR CLAIMS ADJUDICATOR SPECIALIST DISABILITY HEARINGS OFFICER
Disability Hearings Officer
New Jersey treats Senior Claims Adjudicator Specialist Disability Hearings Officer as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a bachelor's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2027 range lands between $79,844 and $117,228, and state payroll currently lists about 14 people in the title, most of them at Labor.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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Agency posting
Department of Labor and Workforce Development's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 14 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $113,264. The agencies employing the most are:
- Labor (14)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the direction of a designated supervisor or manager within the Division of Disability Determination Services, processes requests for reconsideration of benefit claims; reviews existing case evidence and supplemental information and documentation submitted for review and consideration; conducts formal and informal hearings requiring personal appearances or via telephone conferences; and adjudicates appeals involving the denial or termination of Social Security disability benefits; does other related work.
Examples of work
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates medical and vocational evidence within a complex legal framework to make determinations on most complex and specialized claims for Social Security disability benefits. Analyzes and evaluates evidence for appropriateness and relevance. Adjudicates claims under the provisions of the Social Security Act. Determines validity of claims filed for permanent disability benefits. Interview individuals for medical, vocational and other needed pertinent information. Reviews determinations of eligibility for, or suspension of, benefits or services. Determines claimants' eligibility for reconsideration or cessation of benefits. Makes recommendations or prepares pre or post hearing eligibility determination. Conducts informal and formal administrative hearings observing all due process rights of clients. Upholds or reverses recommended decisions to terminate or deny benefits. Reviews and evaluates inconsistencies in testimony, medical, vocational, and educational evidence. Evaluates opinion evidence, subjective evidence and the credibility of the evidence. Prepares decisions, notices, reports, correspondence and other written materials. Writes hearing reports and formal decisions and prepares appropriate notification materials. Develops records of all relevant and material facts. Schedules hearings and travels to hearing offices throughout the state. Responds to inquiries regarding the Social Security Act Disability Program, adjudication procedures, appeal rights and other pertinent information. Informs interested parties of case status. Consults with staff on procedural and policy issues and prepares specific policy interpretations and procedural applications. Updates and maintains reference resources such as applicable statues, regulations, rulings, court decisions, medical and vocational references, Programs Operations Manual (POMS), and other internal data. Recommends referrals to vocational rehabilitation or other State and local service organizations. Prepares and maintains claims and hearing files. Will be required to learn to utilize various type of electronic and/or manual recording and information system used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of disability determination theory and practice. Knowledge of adult and childhood human anatomy, physiology, pathology; including the signs, symptoms and key laboratory findings associated with disease states. Knowledge of the principles of psychiatry and psychology sufficient to determine the resulting degrees of physical and mental limitation. Knowledge of the vocational factors used to assess the impact of age, education, vocational training, and past work experience. Knowledge of the methods for determining adequacy and value of evidence. Knowledge of documents and other materials needed for hearings, reviews, and administrative determinations. Knowledge of procedures for conducting informal and formal administrative hearings. Knowledge of basic interviewing techniques. Knowledge of the techniques for conducting pre-decisional interviews. Knowledge of principles of report writing. Knowledge of legal terminology. Knowledge of medical terminology. Ability to draft legal documents. Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations and rules governing right to privacy, and freedom of information, and fraudulent claims. Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations and rules governing similar fault and workers compensation. Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations and rules governing social service and rehabilitation programs. Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations and rules governing medical assistance. Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations and rules governing the Internal Revenue Code, Railroad Retirement Act, and the Immigration and Naturalization Act. Ability to apply information about Social Security disability programs, and the statutes, regulations, rulings, and policies governing Social Security Act programs. Ability to interpret and apply statutes, regulations and rulings to the specific findings in Social Security Act disability program claims for benefits. Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations applicable to due process and appeal rights. Ability to acquire knowledge of hearing procedures and fair hearing processes. Ability to conduct hearing consistent with due process. Ability to provide testimony in court or other legal forum. Ability to elicit medical information and documentation for case adjudication. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Ability to interact with various people who are differing situations Ability to collect data through questioning. Ability to synthesize facts and relevant information to reach logical conclusions. Ability to prepare clear, concise and sound reports, summaries and analyses containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to make appropriate inferences and deductions based on various types of source materials. Ability to convey and summarize information in written format. Ability to comprehend, interpret and analyze legal and medical findings. Ability to comprehend, interpret and evaluate relevant information from various types of source materials. Ability to maintain essential written and electronic records, files, and references materials. Ability to organize assigned work, prioritize and manage a caseload/workload. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and /or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Seven (7) years of professional experience in gathering and reviewing medical and/or vocational documentation and the investigation and analysis of claims to determine the eligibility or ineligibility for disability benefits, or closely related disability, medical, health insurance or adjusting agency experience, one (1) year of which shall have involved the review of determinations of eligibility for benefits or services at the appellate or continuing benefits claims level. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have involved the review of determinations of eligibility for benefits or services at the appellate or continuing benefits claims level. SPECIAL TRAINING: Appointees to the position will be required to attend and satisfactorily complete training sessions conducted or contracted by the Social Security Administration. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.