Placer Employment Opportunities

Claims Specialist - I

Recruitment #2019-12855-01

DEFINITION

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

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

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.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from the Victim/Witness Supervisor and may receive technical and functional supervision from other staff members. 

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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

  • Interview victims for participation in designated programs as provided by local and State agencies such as the California Victim Compensation Board (Cal VCB); assist victims in completing victim of crime applications for restitution 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 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.
  • 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.
  • Perform various office support and clerical duties such as receiving and logging phone calls, typing and processing program forms.
  • 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

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 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, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

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 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.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

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.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph) and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications, and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

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.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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.

BENEFITS

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

Selection Plan

Tentative timeline for recruitment:

Week of 10/21/19:    Minimum Qualifications Screening

Week of 10/21/19:    Training and Experience Rating

Week of 10/28/19:    Eligible List Established



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