[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