Claim Specialist III - Affirmative Claims

City of New York•New York City, NY

About The Position

The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together. Authorized by the New York City Charter, the Comptroller, through the Bureau of Law and Adjustment (BLA), negotiates and approves all monetary settlement of claims and lawsuits involving the City of New York. BLA investigates and, when in the best interest of the city, settles pre-litigation claims for and against the City of New York. In resolving claims before litigation is commenced, BLA protects the fiscal interest of the City while ensuring that pre-litigation claims are resolved in a fair and just manner, and in accordance with applicable laws. BLA furthers this goal in its review, evaluation, and authorization of requests to settle litigated cases involving the City and through diligent administration of disputes arising out of City contracts. BLA manages City risk by holding agencies accountable, rooting out fraud, and identifying trends, as well as, coordinating with the Law Department and other City agencies on issues that impact the public fiscal and public safety. The Bureau of Law & Adjustment (BLA) is responsible for investigating and adjusting claims filed against the City of New York. The Affirmative Claims Division seeks restitution from represented and pro se individuals, companies, and corporations that cause damage to City property and pursue insurance takeovers on represented and pro se personal injury claims against the City that involve third-party City contractors. The Claim Specialist Level III works under the direction of the Division Chief, Affirmative Claims, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment.

Requirements

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or
An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university and two years of full-time satisfactory experience investigating and/or settling claims for personal injury or property damage or loss; or
A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and four years of full-time satisfactory experience investigating and/or settling claims for personal injury or property damage or loss; or
A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to “1”, “2” or “3” above. College education may be substituted for experience as described in “2” or “3” above on the basis that 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of required experience. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Note: This position is open only to current City of New York employees serving in a permanent (not provisional) civil service title of Claim Specialist. Please clearly state your permanent civil service title on your resume and cover letter.

Responsibilities

Identify and investigate reports of damage to City vehicles/property caused by other parties on complex and high value claims;
Analyze liability, identify the party responsible for damage to City property, determine insurance availability and calculate the amount of loss to the City on complex and high value claims;
Communicate with the party responsible and their insurance company for damage to City property and negotiate to settle the claim to ensure that the City is fully compensated for the loss on complex and high value claims;
Investigate and pursue insurance takeovers for represented and pro se personal injury claims by coordinating with City agencies to identify a wide variety of third-party contractors that may be contractually obligated to defend and indemnify the City;
Liaise and collaborate with the New York City Law Department Affirmative Litigation Division on insurance takeover investigations to identify the appropriate City agency and third party contractor on insurance takeover claims;
Maintain complete claim files in an organized manner-timely update with document submissions and memorialize all communications and actions taken on the claim;
Adhere to the Affirmative Claims and Insurance Takeover procedures;
Follow stated timelines for handling all claims;
Settle outcomes for the maximum recovery for the City on Affirmative Claims; and,
Perform other related assignments and special projects as require.