County Counsel Investigator

County of Santa Clara•San Jose, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, perform investigations, interview witnesses, gather evidence on behalf of County Counsel, and analyze claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara and its employees. The Office of the County Counsel seeks a County Counsel Investigator to work with the Civil Rights, Tort, and Employment Litigation team on claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara, including medical malpractice claims and lawsuits. Candidates should have excellent organizational, investigative, and analytical skills, and excellent written and oral communication abilities. The capability to work collaboratively with your colleagues and clients, and strong research and problem-solving abilities are valued. An eagerness to take on interesting challenges with a commitment to public service in a professional environment is an essential quality for success in this job. Experience in a legal, government, or claims office is highly desirable. Because the position will include investigation and evaluation of medical malpractice claims, experience as a medical malpractice claims analyst or other experience with medical malpractice claims is also highly desirable. You must attach a resume and writing sample to your job application in order to submit your application for this recruitment. The writing sample must include your name as the author.

Requirements

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities
Two (2) years of experience managing investigations, preparing detailed investigative reports, and interviewing witnesses
Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work
If driving, possession of a valid California Driver’s License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization
Knowledge of: Methods for planning and conducting investigations
Research methods, including data collection
Report writing practices
The rules of evidence and court procedures
Insurance and related legal terminology
Coverages in liability policies
Federal, State, and local codes, rules, and regulations relating to vehicular, personal injury, and liability
Federal and state law relating to assessing and maintaining the confidentiality of personal health and/or identifying information
Medical terminology
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation
Malpractice regulations and settlement limits
Principles of mathematical and statistical computations
Effective communication and interviewing techniques required for gathering, evaluating, and transmitting information
Common office computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
Ability to: Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Formulate, gather, interpret, analyze, evaluate, and present a variety of informational and statistical data
Conduct witness interviews to obtain and clarify information
Gather, analyze, correlate, and evaluate observed facts and evidence
Negotiate settlements with unrepresented claimants
Represent the County in Small Claims Court proceedings
Read and understand various statutory code provisions
Read and understand liability insurance policies
Handle and maintain confidential and sensitive information, including attorney work product and attorney-client communications
Prepare and present clear, concise reports

Nice To Haves

Experience in a legal, government, or claims office is highly desirable
Experience as a medical malpractice claims analyst or other experience with medical malpractice claims is also highly desirable

Responsibilities

Conducts investigations of claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara
Determines scope of investigation needed to resolve a claim and directs the securing of information
Investigates the scene of a claim and gathers intelligence information through multiple avenues, including taking photographs and conducting interviews
Obtains and analyzes documents, records, and other confidential and/or sensitive material related to claims and litigated matters and ensures that collected documents are archived in the claims/case management system
Assists County Counsel Attorneys in preparation of cases for court
Gathers information by communicating with internal and external agencies, including Federal, State, local law enforcement agencies, and County departments
Prepares detailed reports of investigations, including synopses of facts, dates, names, places, statements of claimants/witnesses, and listings of evidence
Conducts research relevant to individual claims to support claim and risk analyses in reports and in support of the litigation team
Provides initial notification to excess carrier of claims, file closure, and, where appropriate, secures reimbursement
Participates in studies relating to programs and needs of the department
Prepares e-discovery holds
Maintains all claim files in readiness for legal action, recognizing the confidentiality of the investigative materials contained therein
Drafts a variety of correspondence related to claims and lawsuits, including Settlement Authority requests and tenders of defense
Represents the County in Small Claims Court
May function as the Administrator for the County’s National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)
Responsible for reporting claim/litigation data to state agencies, including the Medical Board and Board of Nursing
May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required
Performs other related duties, as required