Stephanie Valdez
Pecos,NM
Summary
Effective team collaborator with strong results-oriented approach, known for adaptability and reliability. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Hearing Officer
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
02.2024 - Current
- Resolve disputes by independently conducting fair and impartial hearings, ensuring a just outcome for all parties involved.
- Promoted fairness through consistent application of rules, policies, and precedents during all hearing proceedings.
- Evaluate evidence presented during hearings
- Provide clear and concise written decisions.
- Rule on motions and objections to ensure a just and impartial hearing.
- Explain the issues and applicable laws to all parties involved; and ensures the maintenance and quality assurance of program functions.
- Review all testimony and evidence presented in hearings and determine facts surrounding regulations in complex eligibility cases rigorously to determine its relevance and credibility before making informed decisions based on facts at hand.
- Administer oaths and affirmations.
- Mentor and maintain productive working relationships with co-workers.
LIHEAP Coordinator
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
08.2018 - 02.2024
- Manage the LIHEAP Weatherization Contract with the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority.
- Review and process monthly invoices to submit for payment in SHARE.
- Conduct a yearly site audit to ensure contract compliance.
- Onboard new program vendors for LIHEAP and LIHWAP.
- Worked as part of a team to develop the LIHWAP program according to federal guidelines.
- Train vendors on the use of the Secure Transport System to verify benefit payments.
- Manually accept benefit payments on behalf of the vendor.
- Complete manual issuances to correct inaccurate benefits for LIHEAP and LIHWAP.
- Assist with the completion of federal reports.
- Review ASPEN reports and make corrections to customer accounts with errors.
- Give policy guidance to Income Support field staff.
- Mentor and train staff.
- Assist with Change Requests and testing for ASPEN when needed.
Quality Assurance Specialist
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
07.2011 - 08.2018
- Conducted SNAP management evaluations on Income Support field offices to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, performance measures, and timeliness.
- As team lead, I trained and mentored new staff.
- Completed statistical reports regarding SNAP/Medicaid program timeliness and benefit errors.
- Investigated and resolved civil rights complaints against Income Support staff and referred the findings to the appropriate parties.
- Monitored compliance with state and federal lawsuits.
Management Analyst-A
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
09.2002 - 07.2011
- Complied evidence and referred cases for Administrative Disqualification Hearings (ADH).
- Represented the department and coordinated witnesses for all ADH hearings.
- Trained investigations staff regarding the differences in burdens of proof needed for the different types of hearings.
- Acting supervisor of special programs unit for a year.
- Conducted statewide trainings regarding the ADH and Investigation Referral Processes.
- Evaluated fraud referrals and completed system and interface reviews prior to submitting to Investigations.
- Part of the team that created the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) interface for New Mexico.
- Worked on the PARIS reports and made the appropriate referrals.
Family Assistance Analyst
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
10.2000 - 09.2002
- Determined eligibility for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and LIHEAP.
- Processed cases in compliance with state and federal regulations, performance measures, and timeliness.
- Assisted in the training of the TANF work program for new staff.
- Monitored and tracked program compliance for TANF clients.
- Represented the department and completed Summary of Evidence for Fair Hearings.
Education
No Degree - Continuing Education
National Judicial College
Seattle, WA07-2025
No Degree - Continuing Education
National Association of Hearing Officials
Online03-2025
No Degree - Continuing Education
National Association of Hearing Officials
Online09-2024
No Degree - Continuing Education
National Judicial College
Reno, NV05-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Biology And Psychology
Adams State University
Alamosa, CO05-1991
Skills
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Self motivation
Affiliations
Member of National Association of Hearing Officials
Member of the National Judicial College
Timeline
Senior Hearing Officer
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
02.2024 - Current
LIHEAP Coordinator
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
08.2018 - 02.2024
Quality Assurance Specialist
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
07.2011 - 08.2018
Management Analyst-A
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
09.2002 - 07.2011
Family Assistance Analyst
State of New Mexico Health Care Authority
10.2000 - 09.2002
No Degree - Continuing Education
National Judicial College
No Degree - Continuing Education
National Association of Hearing Officials
No Degree - Continuing Education
National Association of Hearing Officials
No Degree - Continuing Education
National Judicial College
Bachelor of Arts - Biology And Psychology
Adams State University