Claims Specialist - Senior

Only current, permanent Placer County employees may apply for this recruitment.

To perform the more difficult or complex work in assisting victims with reimbursement from restitution programs; to provide information to victims of crime about the criminal justice system; to provide administrative and technical support for program operations; to exercise technical and functional lead supervision over assigned staff. 

This is the advanced journey level class in the Claims Specialist series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, as well as by the nature of the public contact required.  Employees in this job class perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to claims operations as well as aware of victim advocacy programs.

Receives general supervision from the Victim/Witness Supervisor.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over assigned staff.

• Assign, review, coordinate and monitor the work performed by assigned staff to ensure claims are in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Provide technical and function lead supervision to assigned staff.
• Prepare and process the more complex claims through the State crime compensation database with general oversight from the California Victim Compensation Board (Cal VCB).  
• Provide claim-processing support to other counties per agreement with the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) through the California Victim Compensation Board (Cal VCB).
• Review and evaluate legislation, codes and administrative regulations to ensure program effectiveness and compliance with the requirements.
• Perform specialized assignments or projects as determined by the needs of the Department.
• Interview victims for participation in designated programs as provided by local and State agencies; assist victims in completing victim of crime applications for benefit eligibility purposes; 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, participants, and subordinate staff.
• 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.
• Establish status of cases involving benefits available to crime victims by contacting appropriate agencies.
• Testify before the agency boards on behalf of victims whose claims have been denied or set for discussion.
• Provide information to victims and witnesses of crime as to the Criminal Justice process and procedures.
• Assist victims in recovering their property when no longer needed for evidentiary purposes.
• Prepare correspondence, program information and related reports.
• Maintain records and statistics as requested by the Victim/Witness Supervisor.
• 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.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience: Two years of responsible experience performing duties similar to a Claims Specialist II 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.

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.

NOTE: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Knowledge of:

• Criminal justice system.
• Regulations and procedures of victim compensation program.
• Principles and practices of effective leadership including training, motivating, team building and assigning and reviewing work.
• 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.
• Automated information systems utilized in case management.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer hardware/software and its applications.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; basic mathematical calculations. 

Ability to:

• Train, assess, review and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
• Prioritize the work of others in an effective and timely manner.
• Understand and apply complex laws and regulations in an independent manner, and interpret and explain complex regulations and procedures to less knowledgeable individuals.
• Counsel and assist victims and witnesses of crime in crisis situations.
• Deal with hostile and uncooperative victims and witnesses who are under emotional stress.
• Obtain information through interviews and conversation.
• Provide appropriate emotional support to traumatized clients.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers; identify and interpret technical and emotional information; explain program regulations and procedures to victims and the general public.
• Utilize an automated system to enter/retrieve information and to track/monitor participants through program components.
• 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.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Recognize differences in human behavior resulting from cultural, financial and other forms of deprivation found in client populations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• 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.  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.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit

Tentative Recruitment Dates:

09/29/2017 - Recruitment opens

10/13/2017 - Recruitment closes

10/20/2017 - Minimum qualifications screening

10/23/2017 - Training and Experience Rating

10/27/2017 - Eligible List Established