[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 212 (Thursday, October 31, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56254-56256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27942]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority
This statement amends Part S of the Statement of the Organization,
Functions and Delegations of Authority which covers the Social Security
Administration (SSA). Notice is given that Chapter S2D, the Office of
the Regional Commissioner is being amended to reflect major
organizational changes in subordinate offices and other changes in
functional descriptions. The changes are as follows:
Section S2D.00 The Office of the Regional Commissioner--(Mission):
Amend to read as follows:
The Office of the Regional Commissioner (ORC) serves as the
principal SSA component at the regional level and ensures effective SSA
interaction with other Federal agencies in the regions; State welfare
agencies; State Disability Determination Services (DDSs); and other
regional and local organizations. The office provides leadership for
regional planning, implementation and evaluation of Agency goals and
objectives and is accountable for the delivery of service in the
administration of SSA's Retirement, Survivors and Disability (RSDI)
programs, the Black Lung Benefits program and the Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) program. It issues regional operating policy and
procedures for these programs and evaluates program effectiveness. It
implements national operational and management plans for providing SSA
service to the public and directs a region wide network of field
offices (FOs), teleservice centers (TSCs) and where present, program
service centers (PSCs). It facilitates integration and coordination of
SSA programs with other Federal and State programs in the region. It
provides overall management direction for the provision of personnel
services and administrative priorities and issues policy directives
consistent with national program objectives, operational requirements
and systems and implements a regional SSA public affairs program. The
office maintains a broad overview of administrative operations of the
regional offices (ROs) of SSA's Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA)
and a data operations center to ensure effective coordination of SSA
activities at the regional level.
Section S2D.10 The Office of the Regional Commissioner--(Organization):
Delete:
D. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Program
Operations and Systems (S2D1B-S2DXB).
E. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Field
Operations (S2D14-S2DX4).
F. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management
and Budget (S2D17-S2DX7).
Establish:
D. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management
and Operations Support (S2D1G-S2DXG).
E. The Office of the Area Director (S2D1K-L-M-N, S2D2K-L-M-N-P-Q,
S2D3K-L-M-N-P-Q, S2D4K-L-M-N-P-Q-R-S-T, S2D5K-L-M-N-P-Q-R-S-T, S2D6K-L-
M-N-P-Q, S2D7K-L-M, S2D8K-L, S2D9K-L-M-N-P-Q, S2DXK-L).
F. The Office of the Teleservice Center Operations Manager (S2D2H,
S2D6H).
H. The Mega Teleservice Center (S2DXJ).
Section S2D.20 The Office of the Regional Commissioner--(Functions):
Delete:
D. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Program
Operations and Systems (S2D1B-S2DXB).
E. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Field
Operations (S2D14-S2DX4).
F. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management
and Budget (S2D17-S2DX7).
Establish:
D. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management
and Operations Support (S2D1G-S2DXG).
1. Provides support services to SSA regional components not under
the line authority of the Regional Commissioner (Office of the
Inspector General [OIG], Office of General Counsel [OGC], Regional
Program and Integrity Review [RPIR] and OHA).
2. Provides program leadership and technical direction for regional
administration of the insurance, disability and assistance programs and
automated systems operations within the region.
3. Facilitates the development and interpretation of regional
operating instructions and procedures covering the retirement,
survivors and disability provisions of title II (RSI), title XVI (SSI)
and the Black Lung Benefits program. Participates with other regional
officials in the development and initiation of major regional
initiatives and projects; directs assigned staff in conducting
evaluations on the operational effectiveness of the instructions and
guidelines provided.
4. Furnishes technical advice and coordination to the regional
efforts in administering SSA's part of the Food Stamp Program, to the
resolution of vocational rehabilitation issues and to the establishment
of effective relationships with groups and other organizations having
responsibility or interest in income maintenance or social service
activities.
5. Negotiates and coordinates the maintenance of agreements with
the States covering optional State SSI supplementation, mandatory State
SSI supplementation and Medicaid eligibility determinations; also
administers State/local coverage provisions. Participates in the
review, evaluation and resolution of Federal/State financial management
transactions involving the programs administered.
6. Provides program coordination and administrative guidance to
State DDS administrators. Facilitates the monitoring and evaluation of
the operation of the various disability programs. Facilitates the
planning, development and coordination of DDS budgetary activities.
Facilitates implementation of SSA systems for DDS and parent Agency
structures.
7. Furnishes automated data processing systems expertise and
assistance to SSA field and processing center components, to State DDS'
and to state/local programs. Coordinates regional needs and interests
in the systems area with the Associate Commissioner for Automation and
[[Page 56255]]
Support. Responsible for all systems analysis, programming, office
automation, end-user computing functions and systems modernization
activities. Coordinates the systems needs and requirements of all SSA
components to ensure these needs are recognized and met in an efficient
manner.
8. Furnishes leadership and program, systems/automation and
management information support to all SSA components within the region,
OIG, OHA and other components, that are not under the line authority of
the Regional Commissioner.
9. Provides managers and employees with guidance and support
services on all issues related to SSA personnel management programs and
services, including recruitment and placement, performance management,
classification, pay administration and benefits, employee relations,
leave, etc.
10. Coordinates and facilitates the implementation of all
recruitment and placement activities and employee counseling services;
processes personnel actions; classifies and reviews positions and
assures effective position management; provides guidance and
consultation on appeals, adverse actions, discipline, performance
management, retirement, health benefits life insurance and other
personnel management programs and policies.
11. Provides management officials with guidance and assistance on
all aspects of the labor relations program, including: impact and
implementation bargaining; administration of negotiated agreements;
grievance and arbitration proceedings; investigation/resolution of
unfair labor practices; etc.
12. Facilitates the planning, development and coordination of SSA
financial activities for SSA regional components. This may also include
DDS budgetary activities. Coordinates a variety of analytical,
management and staff functions in the areas of budget and resource
management, including regional multi-year budget formulation, execution
and modification. Provides the staff expertise in the review, tracking
and evaluation of total financial policy and its administration
throughout the region.
13. Facilitates the planning, development and direction of the
acquisition, procurement and contracting activities for the region,
including the establishment and maintenance of internal operating
procedures, policies, controls and reports necessary to facilitate
responsible acquisition, procurement and contract management.
14. Analyzes the continuing need for new field facilities and
service in light of program expansion, changing socioeconomic patterns
and technological changes. Reviews recommendations for new facilities
and/or the realignment of existing service and administrative areas in
terms of conformity to established standards, principles of sound
administration and overall management policy. Facilitates negotiation
with GSA to obtain new space, relocate or expand facilities and resolve
problems in building services and protection.
15. Facilitates the design, implementation and administration of
the Regional Security Plan and coordinates an ongoing program of
comprehensive internal control reviews. Facilitates the planning,
direction and coordination of internal security and audit programs
involving systems, records, property and potential beneficiary or
employee fraud. Coordinates regional activities responsible for
ensuring the protection of SSA records and systems against misuse or
manipulation for fraudulent purposes, and for procedures and techniques
which will control access to these records and systems.
E. The Office of the Area Director (S2D1K-L-M-N, S2D2K-L-M-N-P-Q,
S2D3K-L-M-N-P-Q, S2D4K-L-M-N-P-Q-R-S-T, S2D5K-L-M-N-P-Q-R-S-T, S2D6K-L-
M-N-P-Q, S2D7K-L-M, S2D8K-L, S2D9K-L-M-N-P-Q, S2DXK-L).
1. Provides overall direction and leadership to district and branch
offices and, where applicable, TSCs. Facilitates the establishment of
long-range operating plans, schedules, goals and emphasis necessary for
the attainment of regional workload goals. Coordinates area-wide
activities to ensure consistency with national and regional policies
and procedures.
2. Serves as the facilitator for overall service delivery to the
public through the management of operational sites and program
leadership for administration of the insurance, disability and
assistance programs including systems support and automation. The
operational sites include district and branch offices and may include
TSCs.
3. Through area public relations programs, ensures the public is
informed of SSA-administered programs and assists the public in
obtaining benefits. Responsible for experimenting and implementing
initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery.
4. Serves as the facilitator through which management and
operational aspects of district and branch office and, where
applicable, TSC responsibilities and performance are coordinated.
5. Serves as a principal point of advice and guidance to the
Regional Commissioner in reflecting the interests of district and
branch offices and, where applicable, TSCs on operational and
administrative concerns and considerations, including the determination
of overall priorities for the area. Facilitates the review and analysis
of administrative and program management policies; reports significant
problems and trends to the Regional Commissioner and recommends
effective solutions to problems identified.
6. Ensures that district managers are carrying out their assigned
responsibilities fully and effectively. Assures sound working
relationships are established and maintained between district offices
and DDSs, large employers, unions, medical associations and
organizations, Federal, State, and local agencies, major information
media, etc. Facilitates the administration of programs to obtain the
advantages of coordinated, area-wide effort in such fields as public
affairs, community relations, recruiting, training, career development,
equal opportunity and parallel functions.
7. Provides leadership and guidance to district managers and, where
applicable, TSC managers in the effective utilization of budgetary and
staffing allocations to ensure unified and balanced program
administration. Facilitates the development and implementation of a
program for coordinated management of personnel and workloads.
F. The Office of the Teleservice Center Operations Manager (S2D2H,
S2D6H).
1. Provides overall direction and leadership to TSCs. Facilitates
the establishment of long-range operating plans, schedules, goals and
emphasis necessary for the attainment of regional workload goals.
Coordinates TSC activities to ensure consistency with national and
regional policies and procedures.
2. Serves as the facilitator for overall service delivery to the
public through the management of the TSCs and provides program
leadership to the TSCs for administration of the insurance, disability
and assistance programs including systems support and automation.
3. Serves as the facilitator through which management and
operational aspects of TSC responsibilities and performance are
coordinated.
4. Serves as the principal point of advice and guidance to the
Regional Commissioner in reflecting the interests
[[Page 56256]]
of TSCs on operational and administrative concerns and considerations.
Facilitates the review and analysis of administrative and program
management policies; reports significant trends to the Regional
Commissioner and recommends effective solutions to problems identified.
5. Ensures that TSC managers are carrying out their assigned
responsibilities fully and effectively.
6. Provides leadership and guidance to TSC managers in the
effective utilization of budgetary and staffing allocations to ensure
unified and balanced program administration. Facilitates the
development and implementation of a program for coordinated management
of personnel and workloads.
H. The Mega Teleservice Center (S2DXJ).
1. Provides leadership and direction in the management and
operation of the Mega Teleservice Center. Establishes long-range
operating plans, schedules, goals and emphasis necessary for the
attainment of regional workload goals. Coordinates Mega TSC activities
to ensure consistency with national and regional policies and
procedures.
2. Serves as the facilitator for overall service delivery to the
public through the management of the Mega TSC and provides program
leadership to the TSC for administration of the insurance, disability
and assistance programs including systems support and automation.
3. Serves as the facilitator through which management and
operational aspects of Mega TSC responsibilities and performance are
coordinated.
4. Serves as a principal point of advice and guidance to the
Regional Commissioner in reflecting the interests of the Mega TSC on
operational and administrative concerns and considerations. Facilitates
the review and analysis of administrative and program management
policies; reports significant problems and trends to the Regional
Commissioner and recommends effective solutions to problems identified.
5. Ensures that subordinate managers are carrying out their
assigned responsibilities fully and effectively.
6. Provides leadership and guidance to subordinate managers in the
effective utilization of budgetary and staffing allocations to ensure
unified and balanced program administration. Facilitates the
development and implementation of a program for coordinated management
of personnel and workloads.
Revise as follows:
G. The Office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Processing
Center Operations (S2D25, 35, 45, 55, 75, 95).
5. Receives and coordinates new/revised computer programs/systems
and resolves exceptions in case processing. Maintains accounting
controls and ensures that magnetic tape records reflect actual
authorized payment actions.
Add:
7. Where applicable, provides leadership and direction for service
delivery to the public through the management of TSCs within the
respective region. Establishes long-range operating plans, schedules,
goals and emphasis necessary for the attainment of workload goals.
Coordinates TSC activities to ensure consistency with national and
regional policies and procedures.
Dated: September 25, 1996.
Ruth A Pierce,
Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources.
[FR Doc. 96-27942 Filed 10-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4190-29-P
