State of Maryland

An Unemployment Insurance Specialist IV is the advanced level of quasi-legal work in the Unemployment Insurance Division in which employees function as lead workers either over a unit composed of Unemployment Insurance Specialists, Employment Security Specialist Trainees and/or Unemployment Insurance Associates involved in the adjudication of claims; or over a unit of Unemployment Insurance Specialists conducting predetermination or pre termination hearings or investigations. Both units would operate under the Maryland Unemployment Insurance laws and Federal and Veterans laws. Employees in this classification serve as supervisors as well as perform the work of an Unemployment Insurance Specialist. Employees in this classification that function as supervisors maintain the flow of work performed by subordinate staff on a daily basis, by continuous review of their work and coordinate the work of the unit with other units.  Employees in this classification may assist in short-range planning, however, the primary function is to direct implementation of established procedures of programs.  Employees in this classification, as working supervisors, are responsible for handling the more difficult problems arising from the work assigned to the unit.  Employees in this classification assigned to county offices assist in the installation and direction of work procedures and in the organization, assignment and review of work performed by Unemployment Insurance personnel.  Employees in this classification may be required to perform Employment Service duties as necessary.  Employees in this classification that function as lead workers assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Unemployment Insurance Specialists and Unemployment Insurance Associates.

Employees in this classification receive general direction and review from an Unemployment Insurance Specialist Supervisor or Office Manager or other designated supervisory personnel. Work is evaluated in terms of the 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.

Plans, organizes, assigns and reviews the work of a unit comprised of lower-level Unemployment Insurance Specialists;

Maintains files of correspondence, forms and other materials; Installs and directs work procedures;

Trains newly assigned employees in departmental policies, procedures and programs;

Reviews Unemployment Insurance forms and Non-Monetary determinations for accuracy, completeness and conformance with Unemployment Insurance laws, rules and regulations;

Develops and maintains continuing working relationships with assigned personnel;

Coordinates the operation of the unit with that of other related units;

Performs the work of lower-level Unemployment Insurance Specialists;

May evaluate the efficiency of subordinate clerical and professional employees assigned to the unit;

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 of the programs and services of the Employment Service Division including the problems of workforce utilization;

Knowledge of elementary supervisory principles and techniques;

Knowledge, at the elementary 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 judgment in making decisions;

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

Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with the public; to organize daily work plans;

Ability to effectively present ideas;

Ability to participate in directing, supervising, 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.