Claims Investigator jobs in New Jersey

The Superintendent invites qualified and interested persons to apply for the position of Claims Investigator 2 within the Office of Affirmative Action.

This title is governed by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission; meaning that a candidate for the position will be placed as a provisional employee. At a later date the candidate will be required to take an examination administered by the Civil Service Commission. Candidates must score and rank high enough on this examination in order to remain in the position as a permanent employee.

DEFINITION: Under the limited supervision of a Claims Investigator 3, Claims Investigator 4, or other supervisory official in a state or local government department or agency, conducts the more complex and/or sensitive investigations and evaluations; recommends settlements or payment of claims arising out of workers compensation, negligence, tort and/or claims for ownership of abandoned real and personal property accrued to the state, other claims involving state/local employees and/or state/local owned property, as well as other types of negligence or tort claims made against the state; may provide guidance and instruction to investigative and other staff involved in the work of the unit; does other related duties.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
2. Two (2) years of experience in workers compensation, negligence or claims investigation.
NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated above on a year-for-year basis.
3. Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

BASIC FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. As assigned, investigates and obtains the essential information required in connection with claims arising out of workers compensation, tort, contract, negligence, and personnel matters involving state/local employees and state/local owned property, as well as other types of negligence or tort claims encountered by the state.
2. As assigned, investigates and obtains the essential information required in connection with claims arising from abandoned real and personal property that has accrued to the state.
3. Visits and interviews professional specialists, employees, police, and other witnesses and records their testimony.
4. Obtains X-rays and medical reports, abstracts, and other records, and compiles other data needed in the preparation and trial of cases.
5. Attends formal and informal hearings, meetings, and conferences, as required.
6. Processes assigned cases from the onset to payment of the claim.
7. Recommends settlements in accordance with prescribed policies/limits.
8. Prepares summaries, reports, and recommendations for the use of the supervisor.
9. Ascertains facts, collects evidence, receives testimony, and explains basic procedures and regulations.
10. Locates pertinent cases, claims, and/or precedents in the case files of the investigative bureau or unit, and prepares summaries of such material.
11. Refers unusual and difficult problems to the supervisor.
12. May provide guidance and instruction to one or more Claims Investigators and clerical employees as required.
13. Makes the preliminary arrangements for the physical and medical examinations of injured state employees as required.
14. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports of claim matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
15. Maintains records and files and reports of the bureau or unit.
16. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
1. Knowledge of appropriate laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures of the investigative bureau or unit assigned as they apply to claims work after a period of training.
2. Knowledge of the medical and/or legal terms commonly used in claims work.
3. Knowledge of the techniques of interviewing and their application to specific claims situations.
4. Knowledge of the problems likely to be encountered in investigation and claims processing work.
5. Ability to apply the regulations, policies, and procedures of the investigative bureau or unit in the processing of claims against the state for injury and/or damage.
6. Ability to apply regulations, policies, and procedures of the abandoned property unit in the processing of claims.
7. Ability to understand, analyze, and interpret basic law and regulations to persons of varying education, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
8. Ability to organize assigned investigations and/or claims work which may be complex in nature and develop effective work methods.
9. Ability to locate and secure information, select and summarize pertinent data, and prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports of investigations and claims matters which shall include documentary evidence of varied types.
10. Ability to confer with physicians and members of the medical profession hospital and clinic staff, police officers, claimants, attorneys, lay witnesses, and others and to obtain such oral and other testimony and evidence, including copies of medical and other testimony and evidence, as required by the particular case.
11. Ability to instruct, assign, and provide guidance to claims investigations and clerical staff.
12. Ability to review and analyze case records, testimony, statements of witnesses, and other information.
13. Ability to locate potential sources of information.
14. Ability to work effectively with claimants, witnesses, lay and professional persons, and police officers, and with that portion of the public interested in or concerned with the work of the investigative bureau or unit.
15. Ability to act as a witness and to present testimony in court actions.
16. Ability to prepare detailed correspondence pertaining to the claims work of the bureau or unit.
17. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports and case summaries containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
18. Ability to maintain records, files, and reports of the bureau or unit.
19. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
20. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
21. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

REPORTS TO: Department Head

SALARY, EMPLOYMENT PERIOD AND UNION AFFILIATION
1. Salary: $57,752 - $76,528
2. Employment Period: Twelve (12) Months
3. Union Affiliation: Local 32

HOW TO APPLY
Newark Board of Education only accepts electronic applications.

OPENING AND CLOSING DATE
Opening Date: July 18, 2023
Closing Date: July 31, 2023 or until filled