Senior Claims Specialist, Law Division

City of New York•New York City, NY

About The Position

The New York City Comptroller’s Office, through the Bureau of Law and Adjustment (BLA), negotiates and approves all monetary settlements 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 is responsible for investigating and adjusting claims filed for and against the City of New York. Among other claims, Law Division investigates and resolves claims for reimbursement of Special Education costs and attorneys’ fees and costs where it is alleged that the City failed to provide a free and appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Division works closely with the New York City Department of Education and the New York City Law Department. This position is open only to current City of New York employees serving in a permanent Civil Service title of Claims Specialist.

Requirements

Must be a current City of New York employee serving in a permanent Civil Service title of Claims Specialist.
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 the above options.
College education may be substituted for experience on the basis that 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of required experience.
All candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Responsibilities

Handling non-tort claims against the City of New York, including claims of a more difficult level such as those involving administrative appeals and complex legal and/or factual situations.
Completing a full investigation of assigned claims which includes obtaining and reviewing agency records and searching databases, media outlets, or using other available sources to investigate and obtain information relevant to the claim.
Analyzing liability and damages, and preparing an objective evaluation of the claim.
Reviewing and critically analyzing requests for settlement authority.
Making sound recommendations as to the settlement or disallowance of assigned claims, and approving settlement authority requests on or negotiating and settling claims within authorized monetary level.
Preparing concise but detailed written settlement recommendations detailing the relevant information pertaining to the investigation and evaluation of damages.
Approving, adjusting, or disallowing recommendations for the settlement of special education claims, including those involving administrative appeals.
Acting as the primary contact for and handling special education claims that have been expedited to comply with court or other legal timelines.
Maintaining control over claim caseload, following-up with requests to agencies, and closing out claims that are beyond the statutory time period to begin an action.
Timely and accurately maintaining claims files with all relevant claim data, investigative materials, and communications.
Communicating effectively and professionally with all Comptroller’s Office bureaus, City agencies including the Department of Education and Law Department, pro se claimants, and attorneys for the purpose of investigating, negotiating or settling claims.
Working collaboratively with the Comptroller’s auditing staff, the Bureau of Fiscal Services, the Central Imaging Facility, among others.
Performing related assignments and special projects as required.