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CASUALTY CLAIMS ADJUSTER LITIGATION SPECIALIST

Administrator I

Recruitment #21-002586-0108

Introduction

The constitutional and statutory provisions relating to the Office of the State Treasurer can be found in Articles I, III, V, VI, and XII of the Maryland Constitution; Title 5 of the State Government Article; and Titles 2 and 6-9 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.  Specifically, the Treasurer's Office is responsible for administering the State Insurance Program of purchased insurance and self-insurance including coverage of the State's liability under the Maryland Tort Claims Act.

GRADE

16  (Salary Guidelines apply for MD State employees)

LOCATION OF POSITION

Annapolis, MD

POSITION DUTIES

The Insurance Division of the Maryland State Treasurer’s Office is responsible for administering the State's Insurance Program which is comprised of both commercial and self-insurance. Commercial insurance policies are procured to cover catastrophic property and liability losses, and other obligations derived from State contracts, statutes and regulations. Among the several exposures covered by commercial policies are State maintained toll bridges and tunnels, rail operations, assorted professional liability exposures and student athlete accidents. The State also self-insures a significant portion of its exposures and maintains the State Insurance Trust Fund to pay claims and the costs associated with handling those claims. Self-insurance coverage includes State-owned real and personal property, vehicles, and liability claims covered under the Maryland Tort Claims Act.
 
The Maryland Tort Claims Act requires that all claims against the State be filed with the State Treasurer’s Office, creating the need for the Insurance Division.  The Claims Unit is responsible for handling claims filed against the State, its agencies, and its employees, which results in the receipt and investigation of thousands of claims each year.  The average pending fluctuates between 125 – 175 claim files.

Many claims end up being resolved through litigation. The Casualty Claims Adjuster Litigation Specialist is responsible for investigating, evaluating, managing and resolving a wide variety of moderately to highly complex claims, both those in litigation and those with the potential for litigation. This position works closely with attorneys in the Office of the Attorney General who serve the Treasurer, to proactively resolve litigated matters by investigating, evaluating and preparing large loss reports when relevant on claims and cases; by providing settlement authority; by preparing a complete summary and evaluation, electronically, of cases for presentation to the Insurance Review Committee for settlement authority in excess of current house authority; and by attending settlement conferences and other court mandated activities. As a claims specialist and subject matter expert on claims litigation, this position  may brief adjusters on the status of certain litigation claims of high or sensitive interest as a teaching mechanism and to provide feedback on investigations.  This position will also be responsible for reviewing and advising the Chief Deputy Treasurer and the Director of Insurance on indicated settlements pending before the Board of Public works.

The main purpose of the Casualty Claims Adjuster Litigation Specialist is to investigate, evaluate, manage and resolve a wide variety of moderately to highly complex claims, including tort claims in litigation, filed with the State Treasurer’s Office. The Casualty Claims Adjuster Litigation Specialist is also responsible for preparing a complete summary and evaluation of the case for presentation to the Insurance Review Committee for settlement authority in excess of current house authority, or as requested by the Director of Insurance.

*Please note that the Insurance Division does NOT handle Worker’s Compensation claims.

Investigates, evaluates and resolves a wide variety of claims, including tort claims in litigation which are moderately to highly complex in nature including claims involving bodily injury or death, property damage, or are deemed sensitive per Insurance Division guidelines.  Tasks include but are not limited to: handling all aspects of the claim investigation, evaluation, and resolution including determining the State’s position on liability and damages with the  consultation of the Office of the Attorney General,  interviewing State employees, claimants, witnesses, and other parties; performing on-site inspections; setting accurate, realistic reserves; evaluating invoices, medical bills, and other expenses for payment; reviewing medical reports, public reports, and other documents submitted by State agencies, AAGs, claimants, attorneys, and vendors; maintaining a diary in order to effectively monitor the claims’ status; communicating with various parties including claimants, attorneys, AAGs, vendors, internal customers, and the general public for the purpose of conveying information regarding matters related to the State Insurance Trust Fund and claims filed in accordance with the Maryland Tort Claims Act; negotiating settlements with claimants or attorneys; determining  the best means of resolving any litigation at the earliest appropriate opportunity, including the development of a trial strategy and settlement negotiations with the involvement of the  AAGs, and reporting claimant information for the purposes of fraud detection and for compliance with Medicare reporting provisions.  Maintains familiarity with venue, statutes, case law, insurance law, and other legal principles of applicable or assigned jurisdictions.

Attends depositions, mediations, arbitrations, settlement conferences, trials, appellate arguments and other scheduled matters on cases in litigation to take notes and to provide input to AAGs; communicates strategy and receives input from AAGs when appropriate and at scheduled Tort/Claims/Litigation meetings. On a monthly basis, determines the status of higher dollar level, complex liability and other sensitive claims and updates the Director of Insurance on the status of these cases. Provides trends reporting and weekly, monthly, and quarterly statistics on cases in litigation to the Director of Insurance.

Responds to all Preservation of Evidence (POE) requests submitted on claim files within the required timeframes, enters into database, and tracks the number of POEs received.  Responds to all Public Information Act (PIA) requests submitted on claim files within the timeframes, enters into the database, and tracks the number of PIAs received in the absence of the Director of Insurance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Four years of experience in administrative staff or professional work.

Notes:

1. Additional experience in administrative staff or professional work may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Additional graduate level education at an accredited college or university may be substituted at the rate of 30 semester credit hours on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required education and experience.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet the selective qualification(s) to be considered. Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

One year of the required experience must be in the claims adjusting, handling and oversight of litigated claims.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

Four or more years of experience in investigating, adjusting and settling complex multi-line claims, with an emphasis on general liability, automobile liability and bodily injury

Working knowledge of tort law, claim values, and jurisdictional issues for Maryland

AIC, AINS, SPPA, ANFI, AMIM or other insurance industry designations or related course work

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

Candidates must be willing to work in the Annapolis area.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum and selective qualifications will be admitted to examination for this classification.  Successful candidates passing the examination will be ranked as BEST QUALIFIED, BETTER QUALIFIED, or QUALIFIED and placed on the employment (eligible) list for one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position.  You may be required to complete a qualifications supplement, or the rating may be based on your application.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS

Exempt

BENEFITS

This is a full-time, permanent position with the State of Maryland, and is eligible for full State benefits.  Some of these benefits include:
• Comprehensive, subsidized health, dental and prescription plans 
• Flexible Spending Account plans for Health Care and Daycare 
• Paid holidays 12-13 per year 
• Generous paid leave package (annual, sick, personal and compensatory leave) 
• State Pension ("defined benefit" plan) 
• Tax-deferred supplemental retirement savings plans (401(k) and 457) 
• Free parking

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FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Job opportunities within the Maryland State Treasurer’s Office are accessible through JobAps, the Statewide Recruitment, Examination and Applicant tracking system.  Please upload a current copy of your resume with your application.

Electronic application is strongly preferred; however, if you do not have access to a computer, you may send a copy of your resume to the State Treasurer's Office, Human Resources, 80 Calvert Street, Room 109, Annapolis MD 21401, or fax to 410-260-4090.  

Any questions regarding this recruitment or the recruitment process may be directed to the STO Personnel Office at 410-260-7078.  

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.  

TTY Users:  Call via Maryland Relay



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