State of Maryland

An Unemployment Insurance Specialist III is the full performance level of quasi-legal work in unemployment insurance involving the adjudication of claims for benefits on questionable or disputed cases or the investigation of claims.  Employees in this classification conduct non-evidentiary factfinding predetermination and pre termination hearings to develop facts sufficient to make a proper determination.  Employees in this classification, during the course of the hearings, which may be attended by claimant and employees, Attorneys, representatives of labor and trade associations and witnesses, must document the evidence presented for credibility and relevance, and determine the need for further investigation when the facts are not sufficient for a valid conclusion. Employees in this classification consider the evidence and a complete decision must be prepared in clear, concise and logical form citing the applicable section(s) of the Unemployment Insurance law.  Employees in this classification perform work that requires considerable use of independent judgment within the framework of Unemployment Insurance laws, policies, procedures and precedents.  Employees in this classification make decisions that are subject to appeal.  Employees in this classification assigned to a local county office may perform Employment Service work as an incidental duty.  Employees in the classification generally do not supervise other positions but may provide some technical guidance to Unemployment Insurance Specialist Trainees and lower-level Unemployment Insurance Specialists.

Employees in this classification receives general direction and review from an Unemployment Insurance Specialist Supervisor or Office Manager or other designated supervisory personnel.  Work is evaluated in terms of quality, timeliness and effectiveness of services rendered. Employees may receive training in and occasionally perform the duties of the next higher grade.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Obtains factual information from claimants and employers in order to determine eligibility or disqualification issues for Unemployment Insurance benefits;

Prepares statement concerning pertinent facts obtained, citing the legal basis for the determination;

Notifies employers and claimants of determinations;

Makes determinations of claims involving multiple issues, groups of claimants, or labor disputes;

Represents the Employment Security Administration at referee, appeal board, or court hearings to explain factual information;

Explains and informally interprets laws governing Unemployment Insurance to employers, claimants and others as authorized within the meaning of the law;

Obtains work and wage information from claimants and/or employers to establish an earnings record in case of complicated disputed claims;

Initiates appropriate action when fraud is suspected;

Conducts investigations and makes determinations on suspected fraudulent claims and/or overpayments;

Determines disqualifications of a claim and when necessary, penalties to be imposed;

Makes non-monetary determinations of out-of-state claims based on information received from the agent state;

Assists in training subordinates;

Holds predetermination and pretermination hearings which may be attended by claimant and employers, attorneys, representatives of labor and trade associations and witnesses;

May give technical guidance to subordinate personnel in local offices and itinerant points;

May take and/or process claims as necessary;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the benefit provisions of federal and State laws, rules and regulations pertaining to Unemployment Insurance;

Knowledge of legal procedures and methods as they apply to Unemployment Insurance benefits;

Knowledge of approved interviewing, fact finding and investigation techniques;

Knowledge of labor conditions within the State;

Knowledge of current national and local social and economic problems; Knowledge of business organization and procedures;

Knowledge of environmental and cultural factors influencing the behavior of individuals applying for Unemployment Insurance benefits;

Knowledge, at the elementary level, of the programs and services available in the Employment Service Division including the problems of workforce utilization;

Knowledge, at the introductory level, of the related basic principles of economics,; sociology, psychology and personnel administration;

Ability to conduct hearings involving face-to-face contact between employers and claimants or others and to elicit sufficient and pertinent information concerning the facts of a situation;

Ability to analyze and evaluate these facts, evidence and precedents and draw valid conclusions;

Ability to exercise sound and impartial judgement in making decisions;

Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with the general public, claimants, employers, legal counsel and co-workers;

Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with the public;

Ability to organize daily work plans;

Ability to effectively present ideas;

Ability to participate in directing and training subordinates;

Ability to function independently.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G, Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.