Claims Adjuster (Perm/Ft/Benefits)

Job Description Summary:

This is a responsible position involving the administration and coordination of the County's claims processing. An employee in this position exercises independent judgment, initiative, and discretion in conducting follow-up investigations and negotiations to resolve claims for and against the County arising out of accidents involving personal injury and/or property damage. Employee works under the general supervision of the Risk Manager and works closely and cooperatively with the attorneys handling tort and workers' compensation claims. Additionally, employee performs administrative/technical work for the County's self-insurance program. Work requires knowledge of insurance claims-handling procedures, required documentation, and Federal, State, and local laws, and regulations.

Employee must be detail-oriented and schedule, prioritize and deal effectively and efficiently with time-sensitive matters. Employee must have excellent communication skills and the ability to deal with and obtain information from angry, upset, and non-communicative employees, claimants, insurance investigators, and insurance claims adjusters.

Work includes, but is not limited to, interpreting, and applying administrative plans or policies, reviewing and analyzing operational programs or procedures, and facilitating program support activities such as communications, records management/control or reporting procedures.

Performance is evaluated based on timeliness, quality, thoroughness, initiative and discretion exercised in completing assigned projects.

Job Description:

Salary Range: $46,582.00-$126,032.00

BUDGETED SALARY: $75,000.00-$85,000.00

Essential Duties:

• Process property, automobile, and general liability claims on behalf of Harford County and those agencies under direct control of Harford County's self-insurance or excess insurance programs.
• Investigate incidents by interviewing employees, witnesses, and supervisors; obtain and review records (such as employee and witness statements obtained by other-party insurers); and obtain other on-site investigation reports (such as police reports) and enter such information into the county's claims application.
• Timely review of property, automobile, and general liability claims with Risk Manager to make liability assessments and develop and implement a plan for efficient and effective claims resolution.
• Make data entries into, operate, and run reports from the County's claims applications necessary for claim analysis, management, and reporting.
• Prepare concise reports supporting claims resolution/claims payment recommendations.
• Review work orders for county vehicle repair and approve repair estimates in conjunction with Fleet Management and the Risk Manager.
• Complete monthly reconciliation of final work order charges related to the self-insurance fund in conjunction with the Risk Manager, Department of Treasury, and Fleet Management.
• Identify subrogation/recovery possibilities for each claim and compile supporting information; negotiate with claims personnel of insured subrogation candidates and support any litigation efforts to pursue subrogation claims.
• Record and track all supervisor incident reports for automobile, property, and general liability claims.
• Assist in preparation of claim documents required for hearings/trials and may attend hearings or court proceedings as needed.
• Maintain the County's property and vehicle statement of values.
• Assist in processing and managing workers' compensation claims.
• Assist with administrative support staff duties from time-to-time and as needed and assigned.
• Communicates using phone systems, electronically (email and other applications) and in person to perform duties and responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as determined by the Risk Manager and/or the County Attorney.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience in administrative work is required.
• Two (2) years of claims adjuster experience preferred.
• Investigative experience analyzing information and open-source data information is preferred.

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associates Degree, in Business Administration, Insurance Administration, Accounting or a closely related field.

Certifications, Licensures, and Examinations: N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and experience as a claims adjuster relative to property, automobile, personal injury, and general liability claims management.
• Ability to keep well-informed of changes in laws and attend training seminars to assure conformity to current regulations and protect the County's self-insured interest in claims management.
• Ability to work independently and to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to make and support claims recommendations and decisions.
• Ability to independently analyze current claims processing protocols and procedures and to make and support recommendations for improvements to such protocols and procedures.
• Act independently in carrying out job responsibilities within guidelines established by government regulations, County policy, and seek higher authority when appropriate.
• Communicate effectively and concisely orally and in writing.
• Work with claimants and contacts with courtesy, sensitivity, discretion, patience, and professionalism.
• Ability to identify problem areas and recommend appropriate solutions based on logical consideration of alternatives.
• Ability to interpret and apply a variety of laws, rules, regulations, standards, and procedures. Ability to operate a computer, efficiently enter data into applications and to sit/work in an office environment for the majority of each workday.
• Ability to drive a County vehicle while carrying out some assignments, if applicable.

SAFETY:

Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH), safety regulations and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.

COMPENSATION:

Other compensation may include but is not limited to:

• Overtime
• Compensatory time
• Shift Differentials

BENEFITS:

Harford County offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental & Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation
• Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• Generous Leave Package & Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION:

A valid Class C non-commercial drivers license with no more than three (3) points.

Notes:

Experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis