Tort Claims Investigator 2 (Internal Only)

Full Job Description

NOTE:
This opportunity is exclusively for internal DES current employees only.
The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. Additionally, 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 Opportunity:
As a Tort Claims Investigator 2 within the Office of Risk Management (ORM), you will be responsible for investigating and assessing tort and civil rights claims against Washington State, its agencies, and employees. Using your knowledge of civil liability and defenses, you will conduct thorough, impartial investigations to determine the state's liability and develop recommendations for resolving claims. You will work closely with state agencies, claimants, and attorneys, often negotiating settlements to mitigate legal risks and reduce costs. This position requires professionalism, confidentiality, and a commitment to providing excellent customer service while promoting a culture of respect, diversity, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:

• Identify and gather relevant documents, witness statements, and evidence for tort claims
• Independently pursue investigative leads
• Determine when evidence is sufficient to establish or negate state liability and reasonable damages
• Analyze the evidence and apply knowledge of legal principles and comparable claims to the instant facts
• Maintain confidentiality
• Review the claim, relevant documents and facts related to the claim
• Determine if the state is responsible for the injuries/damages specified in the claim
• Identify a reasonable monetary amount that would fairly compensate the claimant for the damages/injury allegedly suffered
• Determine that the claim should be denied
• Articulate in writing and verbally, the supporting and mitigating facts as well as the reasoning that justifies the conclusion that the claim presents legal risk to the state and the recommended value is reasonable
• Communicate in writing and verbally with the relevant agency and appropriate ORM supervisor
• Negotiate with the claimant or the claimant’s attorney a reasonable settlement sum within the authorized value
• Apply competitive negotiation strategies
• Determine whether to request additional authority or transfer the claim to the Attorney General’s Office
• Follows prescribed agency procedure for obtaining an appropriate release and issuing payment. And for transferring claims to the Attorney General’s Office
• Record all case management and investigative activities, events, and decision points in the ORM Origami claims tracking system
• Make periodic reviews of the progress of a claim and summarize these reviews and all relevant events in Origami
• Maintain confidentiality of claim file records and information

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of experience in the adjustment and investigation of claims to determine liability for personal injury and property damages
• Bachelor’s degree involving major study in business, public administration, or allied field. Additional qualifying experience* may substitute the education requirement, year for year
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and internet skills
• Demonstrated effective communication skills including the ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and understand written and verbal instructions
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to determine facts surrounding an event and apply those to established principles of liability

Qualifying experience* as listed above would be considered experience with the following:

• State ethics requirements, legal ethics, and rules of evidence
• The State's waiver of sovereign immunity and the legal requirements for negligence as they apply to State Liability
• Legal issues and defenses as well as proper assessment of damages, applying that knowledge to both the investigative process and settlement strategies
• General investigative practices in the investigation of tort claims; interviewing techniques and settlements; civil court procedures; and ethics of investigations
• Ability to work in a team setting and to initiate and complete projects
• Basic understanding of the operational business of state agencies
• Ability to utilize social media sites and search engines to aid in investigations
• Timely and effective decision-making
• Ability to conduct independent analysis of claims, defenses and damages
• Negotiation and dispute resolution

Preferred Qualifications:

• Paralegal certificate/degree
• Experience as a paralegal
• Experience in the insurance industry

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
  
• 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 is not applicable for current 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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