Tort and Sundry Claims Specialist (Agency Internal Only)

Full Job Description

This opportunity is exclusively for internal DES current employees only. External applications will not be considered at this time.
This position will operate in a hybrid work setting, with the requirement to come into the office as needed.

Who We Are
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.

About the Division
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES), Office of Risk Management (ORM) supports the agency mission to strengthen the business of government by managing the Self-Insured Liability Account (SILA) to pay for legal liabilities and defense costs associated with the tortious conduct of state officers, employees, and volunteers under the provisions of RCW 4.92. ORM is required by statute to receive and process citizen's tort claims against Washington State, maintain a centralized claims database, and pay approved claims filed against state agencies.

About this OpportunityThis position is a member of the Claims Support Unit, which processes all tort and sundry claims utilizing the state's risk management information system, Origami Risk (Origami).

The primary purpose of Origami is to facilitate the processing and adjudication of tort claims and cases, as well as serve as the State’s centralized loss history repository mandated by RCW 43.41.350(3) for the purpose of identifying and analyzing risk exposures.

The selected internal candidate reviews, analyzes and processes tort and sundry claims and payments, filed against the State of Washington.

This role determines validity and potential impacts of claim or denial of claim; case reserve amounts; proper claim interpretation, categorization, and affected party(ies); interpretation of settlement/agreement and proper payment amount(s) and distribution of payment(s) to payee(s); payee(s) tax reporting requirements and amount, and instructs agency financial staff on how to accomplish appropriate income reporting.

The Tort and Sundry Specialist investigates, processes, negotiates, and resolves Department of Corrections’ inmate tort claims.

This is a key position that is responsible for reducing the cost of government operations by applying Lean principles and is responsible for the delivery of exceptional services.

This position interacts with all members of the Office of Risk Management, claimants, claimant’s attorneys, agency staff and the general publics.

Requirements

Some of what you'll enjoy doing includes:

• Analyzes incidents and claims
• Uses judgment to determine the allegations and the appropriate state agency or agencies with potential legal liability, to identify parties and witnesses involved, and to create, maintain, and update claim information within the claim database
• Makes an initial determination regarding state liability
• Reviews, enters and assigns vehicle accidents that could result in a recovery to the state
• Regularly reviews assigned claims for updates and data accuracy
• Prepares documentation and processes tort claim payments
• Closes resolved claims
• Reviews SAAG invoices and creates SAAG payments
• Assists in developing procedures and standards regarding claim and payment processing
• Using knowledge of civil liability and defenses, investigations, and DOC policies/operations, reviews relevant documents, facts and conclusions presented by DOC facilities
• Assists DOC in identifying a reasonable monetary amount that would fairly compensate the claimant for the damages/injury allegedly suffered or determining that the claim should be denied when there is no basis in law or fact supporting state liability
• Regularly responds to telephone inquiries from claimants, general publics, attorneys, state agency personnel and claims staff regarding claim status and tort claim process
• Provides support and assistance to claims staff in Risk Management including file maintenance, scanning claims and attachments and preparation of new claim files
• Assist with other duties to support ORM and DES
  

Qualifications

Ways to meet qualifications:

[OPTION 1]

• Eighteen months of experience processing general liability, insurance or accident claims including coding and use of a computerized database operation and investigation, resolution and payment of tort and sundry claims.

[OPTION 2]

• Professional certification as an associate in risk management, or certified property and casualty underwriter and two years of experience processing general liability, insurance or accident claims

[OPTION 3]

• A bachelor’s degree

[OPTION 4]

• Qualifying experience will substitute for education on a year-for-year basis**

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of statutes, policies, and procedures, claims investigative and settlement practices, liability, tort and negligence issues relating to the State's tort and sundry claims process
• Office procedures and practices
• Legal terminology, forms and documents
• Ability to work independently within established guidelines while planning and scheduling work activities
• Analyze and make independent decisions on tort and sundry claims
• Interpret procedures and policies relating to tort and sundry claims, court judgements and settlements
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

AND
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies
Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies:

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization, or community
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization

Additional Information

How to Apply: Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed.

Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that explains how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Background Check Notice: Not applicable to current internal DES employees.

Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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