Head of Disability Determination Services; DDS) Portfolio B and Portfolio C

Disability Adjudication Responsibilities

Disability Adjudication (DA) provides the framework and mechanisms through which individuals and organizations file for disability under Titles II, VIII, and XVI of the Social Security Act, which includes initial applications and reconsideration requests whose determinations are rendered by the State Disability Determination Services (DDS). DA also provides the basic framework and mechanisms through which individuals and organizations who are dissatisfied with determinations affecting their rights to and amounts of benefits, or their participation in benefit programs administered by the Agency under the Social Security Act, may administratively appeal such determinations in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure and Social Security Acts.

SSA has distinct DDS Portfolios within Disability Adjudication.

Selectees will be appointed to an appropriate DDS Portfolio at the discretion of the Chief of Disability Adjudication. DDS Portfolio B currently includes the following state's DDS:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. DDS Portfolio C currently includes the following state's DDS:
Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The Head of DDS Portfolio is responsible for the following:

• Setting the vision, direction, and policy for DDS Portfolio operations nationwide, ensuring alignment with agency and national priorities.
• Overseeing geographically dispersed state DDS offices adjudicating disability claims based on the Social Security Act, providing executive leadership and policy direction for the DDS Portfolio.
• Managing reviews and disability determinations on applications under Title II and XVI, including initial applications and reconsideration requests.
• Overseeing the processing of State DDS workloads and evaluates the impact of policy and procedural changes on operations.
• Interpreting and implementing national policies, ensuring alignment with SSA's mission and goals, and directing subordinate managers and staff to achieve program objectives.
• Exercising authority over the development and implementation of national policies, standards, and corrective actions, and is accountable for the program's success across all states, including resource acquisition, interagency collaboration, and high-level decision-making.
• Setting management and internal control standards, designing organizational structures, and ensuring the accomplishment of program objectives.
• Securing and managing resources, engaging with key officials across federal, state, and external partners, and monitoring progress toward organizational goals, making necessary adjustments to maximize effectiveness and productivity.
• Developing and implementing strategies that advance the effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity of disability adjudication processes through collaboration with senior SSA officials and interagency partners.
• Providing executive analysis and recommendations on policies and initiatives with long-term impact on disability programs through government-wide decision-making forums.
• Serving as a principal representative and advocate for the DDS Portfolio, engaging in high-level negotiations and coordination with SSA leadership and external stakeholders, presenting and defending program policies, initiatives, and resource requirements, and building consensus on complex issues affecting the disability determination process at the national level.
• Leading the development of policies, regulations, and procedures related to DDS performance, establishing standards and guides, and initiating corrective action where needed. Directing studies and reviews, as necessary, to the disability determination function.
• Directing the planning, analysis, development, and implementation of DA's disability determinations' program goals, leveraging support from relevant units to ensure national consistency and practical application.
• Leading the planning, coordination, and management of systems-related activities for State and Federal DDS systems, ensuring compatibility with SSA offices and overseeing pilot tests of new work processes, procedures, and systems. Validating and conducting usability tests on new and/or revised systems processes and disability adjudication policies for national consistency and practical application; conducting special studies and policy reviews required for management purposes.
• Participating substantively in SSA-wide and potentially government-wide decision-making forums, contributing expert analysis and recommendations on policies and initiatives with long-term impact on the administration of disability programs.