Unemployment Insurance Claims Interviewer (#UDDZ67)
$33,370.00 Yearly Min / $39,433.00 Yearly Mid / $47,320.00 Yearly Max

A class incumbent is responsible for reviewing Unemployment Insurance claimants' eligibility for continuing benefits and offering job search assistance.

A class incumbent performs with guidance from a Senior Claims Deputy and overall supervision from the Unemployment Insurance Local Office Manager.  Other positions reporting in at this level include Claims Deputies and Claims Processors.  Work involves interviewing claimants to determine progress made toward re employment and providing assistance in formulating job search plans.  Eliciting confidential information from claimants of varied backgrounds is a significant aspect of the work.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Reviews questionnaires completed by claimants regarding education, skills, desired employment, and job search activities to ensure that claimants are actively seeking and available for work; selects claimants for personal interview based on information provided and/or length of unemployment.
   
• Conducts personal interviews with claimants to clarify information provided on questionnaires; discusses factors which may affect claimants' opportunity for re-employment such as acceptable starting wage, hours or days available for work, lack of transportation; may suggest possible solutions to routine problems which affect re-employment opportunities or conflict with job search requirements.
   
• Determines whether claimant is in compliance with job search requirements based on interview results; prepares written statement regarding claimants' non-compliance in order to recommend review of claimants' eligibility to receive benefits.
   
• Reviews listing of job openings available through the job bank and compares qualifications or jobs with claimants' education, skills and desired work; refers claimant to job bank to apply for specific jobs and receive additional employment information; follows-up with claimant and/or job bank personnel to verify referral results.
   
• Takes claims for Unemployment Insurance benefits during peak claim periods.
   
• Assists claimants in developing a job search plan by reviewing proposed plans of claimant to seek employment, suggest additional employment sources, identify training needs and provide labor market information such as wage rates, availability of workers in certain skills, and minimum wage laws.
   
• Prepares monthly activity report which includes information such as number of claimants scheduled for interviews, initial interviews conducted, referrals to the Division of Employment and Training and referrals for non-monetary eligibility determinations.
   
• May complete and process forms to recover overpayment of benefits due to unreported wages or duplicate checks issued.
   
• May review pay orders completed by claimants receiving benefits on a continuous basis for completeness and reported earnings during benefits week; records information such as date, pay order number and deductions from weekly benefit amount on claimants' master file.
   
• May provide technical guidance to clerical staff engaged in taking and processing claims for Unemployment Insurance benefits.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, procedures and eligibility requirements for receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits.
• Knowledge of Employment and Training Division program and services in order to refer claimants.
• Skill in interviewing to elicit confidential information from persons of varied backgrounds.
• Skill in maintaining accurate records and preparing routine reports.
• Skill in tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to guide claimant to establish a realistic job search plan and identify problems which may affect re-employment opportunities.
• Ability to analyze data and make sound recommendations.
• Ability to perform simple arithmetic computations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Ability to record information accurately, complete and process standard forms.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Unemployment Insurance Claims Interviewer
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Six months experience in record keeping. 
2. Six months experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
3. Six months experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.
4. Knowledge of health or human services support such as interviewing clients and assessing personal, health, social or financial needs in accordance with program requirements or coordinating with community resources to obtain client services.