Placer County

To assist victims with reimbursement from the state restitution programs; to provide information to victims of crime about the state restitution program; and to function as an integral and supportive member of the Victim/Witness multi-disciplinary team.

Claims Specialist I:
This is the entry level class in the Claims Specialist series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Claims Specialist II:
This is the full journey level class within the Claims Specialist series.  This class is distinguished from the Claims Specialist I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

Claims Specialist I
Receives immediate supervision from the Victim/Witness Supervisor and may receive technical and functional supervision from other staff members.
 
Claims Specialist II
Receives general supervision from the Victim/Witness Supervisor and may receive technical and functional supervision from other staff members.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist victims in completing victim of crime applications for; determine which documents will be necessary to support wage and/or medical losses on applications.
• Complete analysis of financial losses including those from medical expenses and wage losses; consider possible sources of reimbursement, i.e., insurance coverage, civil suit settlements, restitution orders and public assistance programs; obtain verification from medical providers, employers, insurance companies and other agencies.
• Determine and request necessary verification/data to accurately evaluate and determine applicant’s eligibility for designated programs.
• Interpret and explain designated program regulations, obligations, procedures and other pertinent information on an individual basis, in person or by telephone, to applicants and participants.
• Maintain appropriate and accurate case records, documentation and files, including performing data entry into automated record systems; monitor and follow-up on due dates; prepare and maintain other documents associated with designated program areas and related reporting requirements.
• Prepare correspondence, program information and related reports.
• Maintain records and statistics as requested by the Victim/Witness Supervisor.
• Perform various office support and clerical duties such as receiving and logging phone calls, typing and processing program forms.
• Travel to and from locations in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with other criminal justice and public and private agencies.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County and departmental employees, community agencies and resources, and the public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as required.

Claims Specialist I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: One year of general clerical experience involving interviewing and obtaining financial/personal history from the general public is desirable.

Training: Equivalent to an associate's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in criminal justice, accounting, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Must obtain certification from the California Victim Compensation Board (Cal VCB) for processing of applicant claims within twelve months of employment. 

Claims Specialist II

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible experience performing duties similar to a Claims Specialist I with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to an Associate's degree with a major in criminal justice, accounting, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Must obtain certification from the California Victim Compensation Board (Cal VCB) for processing of applicant claims within twelve months of employment. 

Claims Specialist I

Knowledge of:

• Basic financial record keeping practices.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; basic mathematical calculations.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Interviewing techniques for obtaining factual and financial information.

Ability to:

• Learn the criminal justice system as it pertains to victim/witness activities.
• Learn regulations and procedures associated with victim compensation.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; explain designated and specific regulations and procedures to clients and the general public.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, squat, twist and reach while retrieving or returning files or making field visits.  Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with correctable acuity sufficient to read characters on computer screen; hear and speak with correctable acuity sufficient to communicate with clients; and lift light weight.
• Make rapid and accurate arithmetic calculations including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Learn to understand and apply complex laws and regulations.
• Learn to apply regulations and laws to a variety of situations affecting victims and witnesses.
• Effectively interview a wide variety of individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and who may be physically, emotionally or mentally impaired or distressed.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Prioritize work in order to meet various program compliance deadlines.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple case assignments; and work effectively with interruptions.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action within established guidelines and parameters.
• Use a computer, calculator, telephone, and a photocopy machine.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Claims Specialist II

In addition to the qualifications for Claims Specialist I:

Knowledge of:

• Restitution agencies/programs rules and regulations, especially as related to eligibility criteria for participation.
• Pertinent local, State, and Federal laws.
• Regulations and procedures associated with victim compensation program.   
• Community resources available to victim and witnesses.

Ability to:

• Apply complex laws and regulations to a variety of situations affecting victims and witnesses in an independent manner.
• Interpret financial statements and record necessary information for business, income tax purposes, investments, real and personal property.
• Prioritize work in an effective and timely manner.
• Utilize an automated system to enter/retrieve information and to track/monitor participants through program components.

Length of Probation: 

• All permanent appointments from open eligible lists to positions in the classified service shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit: 

• General