The Executive Director for Disability Compliance in Disability Adjudication (DA) evaluates SSA's hearings and appellate processes. The Executive Director promotes consistent and accurate application of Disability policy through quality reviews, providing oversight of ALJ workloads, ALJ conduct, and labor relations activities, in addition to redetermining fraud cases identified by the Office of the Inspector General and SSA. The incumbent also serves as the Co-Chair of the Appeals Council.
Summary
The Executive Director for Disability Compliance in Disability Adjudication (DA) evaluates SSA's hearings and appellate processes. The Executive Director promotes consistent and accurate application of Disability policy through quality reviews, providing oversight of ALJ workloads, ALJ conduct, and labor relations activities, in addition to redetermining fraud cases identified by the Office of the Inspector General and SSA. The incumbent also serves as the Co-Chair of the Appeals Council.
All groups of qualified individuals within the Civil Service and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility may apply.
Additionally, current career Senior Executive Service (SES) members, OPM certified graduates of an SES Candidate Development Program (CDP), and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility may be considered noncompetitively.
The Executive Director for Disability Compliance in Disability Adjudication (DA) evaluates SSA's hearings and appellate processes. The Executive Director promotes consistent and accurate application of Disability policy through quality reviews of hearing and appeals level cases, providing oversight and management of ALJ workloads, ALJ conduct, and labor relations activities, in addition to redetermining fraud cases identified by the Office of the Inspector General and SSA. The incumbent serves as the Co-Chair of the Appeals Council, in accordance with 20 C.F.R. § 422.205.
The incumbent is responsible for:
Providing executive oversight and strategic direction for in-depth analysis of disability determinations, identifying trends, root causes of errors, and opportunities for improvement, ensuring alignment with agency mission and objectives.
Leading and managing a comprehensive, quality assurance program through the review and analysis of judicial decisions and trends to provide feedback and recommendations to improve quality and consistency of adjudication. Further, collaborating with Law & Policy to address individual Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) accountability, discipline, conduct, and workload management issues.
Serving as a principal advisor and executive resource in addressing ALJ bias and misconduct complaints, ensuring timely and effective resolution in support of organizational integrity and public trust.
Directing the In-Line Quality Review process of hearings level cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and the Standard Hearings Operations Procedure (SHOP), by various hearing office employees, to drive continuous improvement in the quality and legal sufficiency of draft decisions to reduce remands and reversals. Feedback is provided to hearing office management and further shared with the appropriate hearing office staff member.
Leading and fostering a culture of quality across the organization by proactively sharing identified errors with the Disability Determination Service teams, and hearing office management teams. Evaluating organizational training needs based on comprehensive data and trend analysis and collaborates with the Executive Director of Disability Governance regarding the development and implementation of targeted quality improvement initiatives.
Providing executive leadership in the review of ALJ decisions and dismissals involving claims for benefits under Titles II, VIII, and XVI of the Social Security Act, exercising independent authority to initiate reviews on the agency's own motion, pursuant to 20 CFR § 404.969 & 1469.
Overseeing the Hearings Integrity Review Unit, ensuring the review, re-determination, and processing of hearing and appeal level cases identified under section 1129(I) of the Social Security Act, as amended.
Coordinating with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and other SSA components to develop and implement agency-wide strategies for reviewing and adjudicating cases involving alleged fraud, in accordance with sections 205(u) and 1631(e) of the Social Security Act.
To be considered minimally qualified for this position, candidates must have had responsible professional experience at a senior level (equivalent to the GS-15 in either the General Schedule (GS) or a comparable pay plan).
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests
Must file a Public Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:
FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation); and
SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information).
Qualifications
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME BASED. It is important that your resume be complete and thorough, following the requirements outlined below.
As a basic requirement, to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, applicants MUST demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications within their resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed beyond page 2, or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
Separate narrative statements addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) will not be reviewed or considered.
To be considered minimally qualified for this position, candidates must have had responsible professional experience at a senior level (equivalent to the GS-15 in either the General Schedule (GS) or a comparable pay plan). Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations. Failure to meet this basic qualification requirement and all executive factors automatically disqualifies an applicant.
NOTE: If you are (1) a member of the SES, (2) have been certified through successful participation in an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or (3) have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): None
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS (DQs):
1. Senior-level experience leading and managing a comprehensive quality assurance program within a judicial or adjudicative environment.
2. Senior-level experience planning and directing sensitive, high priority and/or confidential studies in areas relating to an agency/organizational-level program.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs you may not receive further consideration for the position.
There are five ECQs:
ECQ 1:Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people;
ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades;
ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality;
ECQ 4: Leading People - Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable; and
ECQ 5: Achieving Results - Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
**Note for Current and/or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office within your application package.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.
Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.
All application materials are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become property of SSA.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact Samantha.C.McGrath@ssa.gov.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Do not list a Social Security Number or Date of Birth on any attachment.
Once the application process is complete, a Human Resources Specialist will conduct a review of your resume and supporting documentation. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) listed above. The ECQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration, including reference checks.
You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your accomplishments and experience. Your application will be rated and ranked by an SES Rating Panel, comprised of at least three SES members, using only the information submitted within the application package. Applicants determined to be Highly Qualified must demonstrate sufficient possession of the ECQs and DQs, and will be referred to the hiring component for further consideration.
Upon selection, if you have not provided evidence of noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible), you must participate in a Structured Interview assessment based on the ECQs conducted by an OPM QRB prior to appointment. Your application will be forwarded to OPM for review and certification by the QRB.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified, and by the closing date of the announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
Resume (2-page maximum) - All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
Vacancy Assessment Questionnaire Responses - Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs/Application Manager when you apply to this vacancy.
Additional Required Documents - Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation, if applicable:
PROOF OF BAR MEMBERSHIP: You will be required to provide the state(s) in which you are licensed, your license/bar number (if applicable), and month/year of your licensure as part of the online assessment
questionnaire. You may also upload documentation that reflects your active bar membership, but this
is optional and must be in addition to providing the information requested on the assessment. In order to
be eligible for consideration, you must be an active member in good standing of a Bar of a State,
Commonwealth or Territory of the United States or District of Columbia and authorized and eligible to
practice law. Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States that prohibit sitting judges
from maintaining "active" status to practice law. Being in "good standing" is acceptable in lieu of "active"
status in States where the licensing authority considers "good standing" as having a current license to
practice law.
CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
Failure to provide the proper documentation may result in the rating and ranking of your application under competitive procedures, which requires you to demonstrate possession of the ECQs within your 2-page resume.
CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES: If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) to substantiate your minimum qualifications eligibility.
You must provide an SF-50 that reflects your current position, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (e.g., a Within-Grade Increase or Promotion/Reassignment).
You may need to provide more than one SF-50 to substantiate your eligibility.
Heavily redacted documents that do not contain the required information may result in an ineligible rating.
Strongly Recommended: Most recent performance evaluation
If you are a current or former political appointee within the last five (5) years, including Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES, please submit documentation of your appointment, including a copy of your SF-50.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the announcement (10/05/2026) will result in your removal from consideration for this position.
To be considered for this position, you must submit a complete application no later than 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement - 10/05/2026. If you fail to submit a complete application prior to the closing time, the application system will not allow you to finish. Requests for extensions will not be granted, so please begin the application process with enough time to finish before the deadline.
To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select and upload your resume and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail.
Disability Adjudication
6401 Security Blvd
Woodlawn, MD 21235
US
Next steps
To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified, and by the closing date of the announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
Resume (2-page maximum) - All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
Vacancy Assessment Questionnaire Responses - Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs/Application Manager when you apply to this vacancy.
Additional Required Documents - Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation, if applicable:
PROOF OF BAR MEMBERSHIP: You will be required to provide the state(s) in which you are licensed, your license/bar number (if applicable), and month/year of your licensure as part of the online assessment
questionnaire. You may also upload documentation that reflects your active bar membership, but this
is optional and must be in addition to providing the information requested on the assessment. In order to
be eligible for consideration, you must be an active member in good standing of a Bar of a State,
Commonwealth or Territory of the United States or District of Columbia and authorized and eligible to
practice law. Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States that prohibit sitting judges
from maintaining "active" status to practice law. Being in "good standing" is acceptable in lieu of "active"
status in States where the licensing authority considers "good standing" as having a current license to
practice law.
CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
Failure to provide the proper documentation may result in the rating and ranking of your application under competitive procedures, which requires you to demonstrate possession of the ECQs within your 2-page resume.
CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES: If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) to substantiate your minimum qualifications eligibility.
You must provide an SF-50 that reflects your current position, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (e.g., a Within-Grade Increase or Promotion/Reassignment).
You may need to provide more than one SF-50 to substantiate your eligibility.
Heavily redacted documents that do not contain the required information may result in an ineligible rating.
Strongly Recommended: Most recent performance evaluation
If you are a current or former political appointee within the last five (5) years, including Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES, please submit documentation of your appointment, including a copy of your SF-50.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the announcement (10/05/2026) will result in your removal from consideration for this position.
To be considered for this position, you must submit a complete application no later than 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement - 10/05/2026. If you fail to submit a complete application prior to the closing time, the application system will not allow you to finish. Requests for extensions will not be granted, so please begin the application process with enough time to finish before the deadline.
To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select and upload your resume and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail.
Disability Adjudication
6401 Security Blvd
Woodlawn, MD 21235
US
Next steps
To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
