Karen Kopecky
Semi-Retired
Altoona,IA
Summary
Professional and technically inclined with 35+ years of experience demonstrating progressively more ability to work independently and lead others. Complies with federal regulations while maintaining confidentiality of protected documentation. Quality-focused professional dedicated to approaching administrative tasks with attention-to-detail and tenacity.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Verbatim Hearing Reporter
Office Of Hearings And Appeals
09.2012 - 09.2017
- Worked as independent contractor recording and transcribing hearings held by Administrative Law Judge for Office of Hearings and Appeals.
- Digitally recorded and transcribed hearing held both in person and remotely from across state of Iowa. These records became part of individuals claim file.
- Acted as liaison between judge and claimant and/or their attorney or non attorney representative,
- Prepared invoices for work activities and submitted them for payment.
District Manager
Social Security Administration
10.2001 - 11.2007
- Was manager of small Social Security office.
- While working in that position hired, fired and promoted employees based on needs of office.
- Did quality review of employee work product. During course of those reviews, determined that employee was not performing job in ethical manner and terminated employment.
- Did annual reviews of each employee's performance and awarded bonuses to employees who's outstanding performance contributed to office's highly successful performance.
- Managed office's discretionary budget to insure employees had all necessary supplies and assuring office adhered to budget restrictions,
- Made sure office met performance goals and standards set by agency to insure high level of customer service,
Public Affairs Specialist
Social Security Adminstration
10.2000 - 09.2001
- I wrote articles, gave speeches, developed community resources and did outreach to businesses, schools and community groups regarding Social Security programs.
- Provided information at high schools, colleges and universities to help prepare retiring personnel with information on how Social Security fits into their retirement plans.
- Went to businesses to present information during pre-retirement seminars.
- Addressed CPAs regarding how their tax recommendations impacted their client's potential eligibility to Social Security benefits.
- Shared information with inmates who were soon to be released about their potential eligibility to Social Security and/or Supplemental Security benefits.
Disability Claims Manager
Social Security Adminstration
09.1996 - 10.2000
- Took claims for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Disability. Developed both the non disability requirements.
- Developed the medical evidence to determine if they met the medical requirements to qualify for benefits,
- Worked with physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists and others to ensure I was making a legally binding decision regarding the broad scope of disability.
Claims Representative
Social Security Adminstration
08.1985 - 09.1996
- Took claims for people applying for Social Security retirement, survivor and disability benefits.
- Obtained the information necessary to establish their eligibility for benefits, Developed data necessary to determine if beneficiaries continued to be eligible when questions arose regarding their ongoing eligibility.
- If it was determined they no longer qualified for benefits, developed information necessary to determine what benefits they were not eligible to receive and determined if overpayment had resulted.
- Considered facts of situations that resulted in overpayment and determined if claimant was responsible for repaying overpayment.
- If appeal filed, followed guidelines established by agency and used judgement and discretion to make any eligibility/overpayment/retirement/fraud situations.
Technical Expert
Social Security Adminstration
09.1979 - 07.1985
- Was resource person for staff of Service Representatives who were answering questions from public about Social Security in general and specifically about their own Social Security benefits.
- Wrote policy and procedure manual for representatives to follow regarding actions to take depending on situation encountered.
- Wrote reports and coordinated activities with other management personnel in office,
Service Representative
Social Security Adminstration
03.1974 - 09.1979
- Responded to inquiries from public regarding questions/concerns regarding Social Security benefits.
- When unable to resolve issues on independently, corresponded with Program Service Centers to explain problem and request action needed to taken to resolve issues.
- Worked in telephone center during part of this period of time, taking calls from public and resolving issues for them.
Claims Clerical
Social Security Administration
08.1973 - 02.1974
- Assisted Claims Representatives in developing claims for Social Security benefits by following up on evidence and documentation needed from employers.
Personnel Specialist
Social Security Adminstration
10.1971 - 07.1973
- reated lists of eligible candidates based on agency specifications for hiring to Civil Service positions,
- Ensured selections made for those positions followed Federal Government guidelines regarding Veterans preference and a wide variety of other government guidelines.
Bookkeeper
Farm Bureau Insurance
05.1971 - 10.1971
- Maintained and processed invoices, deposits, and money logs.
- Inspected account books and recorded transactions.
- Handled day-to-day accounting processes to drive financial accuracy.
- Reconciled and corrected issues with financial records.
- I worked for a small agency within Farm Bureau offering high risk automobile insurance not otherwise available from Farm Bureau.
Education
No Degree - Bookkeeping
American Institute of Business
Des Moines, IA05.1971
Skills
Concise Communication
- Medical Terminology
- Strategic Planning
- Organizational Analysis
- Staff Management
- Attention to Detail
- Conflict Management
- Report Preparation
- Productivity Improvements
- Budgeting Skills
- Performance Tracking and Evaluations
- Recruiting and Hiring
- Team Development
Timeline
Verbatim Hearing Reporter
Office Of Hearings And Appeals
09.2012 - 09.2017
District Manager
Social Security Administration
10.2001 - 11.2007
Public Affairs Specialist
Social Security Adminstration
10.2000 - 09.2001
Disability Claims Manager
Social Security Adminstration
09.1996 - 10.2000
Claims Representative
Social Security Adminstration
08.1985 - 09.1996
Technical Expert
Social Security Adminstration
09.1979 - 07.1985
Service Representative
Social Security Adminstration
03.1974 - 09.1979
Claims Clerical
Social Security Administration
08.1973 - 02.1974
Personnel Specialist
Social Security Adminstration
10.1971 - 07.1973
Bookkeeper
Farm Bureau Insurance
05.1971 - 10.1971
No Degree - Bookkeeping
American Institute of Business
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