JOB
**These positions are fully remote within Washington State.**This recruitment will remain open until June 18, 2024. We anticipate these appointments to last approximately 6 months. OIC CAREER OPPORTUNITY The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisors (SHIBA) program is seeking motivated and qualified individuals to fill four (4) non-permanent full-time Open Enrollment Support Specialist (Insurance Technician 3) positions. These positions are assigned to the Consumer Protection Division in Tumwater, WA but are fully remote within Washington State. These positions are within the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program which provides free, unbiased information about health care coverage and access to help improve the lives of all Washington State residents. Throughout the year as people become eligible for Medicare, assistance can be needed to navigate the programs complexities. Every year people on Medicare have the chance to select or change a Medicare Plan if they choose. This can be a daunting task without the help of our Open Enrollment Support Specialists. Since there are many plans available each year, it is critical to assist Medicare enrollees to help identify the best plan for each person. We are looking for individuals who have: Great customer service skillsEnjoy helping people understand complex insurance issuesA positive attitudeStrong interpersonal and communication skillsWe are especially seeking incumbents with fluent verbal communication skills in Spanish, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese, Mandarin, or Cantonese so that we can better serve all our customers. If you have great customer service skills, enjoy helping people understand complex insurance issues, have a positive attitude, and strong interpersonal and communication skills, please apply and become part of our dynamic team. This recruitment may be used to establish a qualified pool of candidates for Insurance Technician 3 vacancies in the next sixty days. This is a Washington General Service position. The salary range for this position is $37,740 - $50,088. AGENCY PROFILE AND VALUESThe Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) operates under the direction of the state's Insurance Commissioner, a statewide elected official. Our mission is to provide consumer protection and regulation of the state's insurance industry. With a workforce of approximately 265 employees, we are one of the smaller state agencies in Washington state government and are fortunate to have a stable funding source that does not rely on the state's general fund. Because we are a small agency, you will truly get a chance to understand the 'big picture' of what we do and why we do it. You will also have a chance to get to know your co-workers. We value diversity in the workplace. We challenge our employees to continuously improve the way we do business and to meet and exceed the needs of our customers. To learn more about this agency, we invite you to visit our website at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/ and listen to our employees talk about why they love working here. BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR OICWashington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We offer a great selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, and compensation benefits for you and your family. Additional Benefits: Wellness programs.Dependent care assistance.Washington State Employee Assistance Program.Federal Social Security and Medicare systems.Additional Leave; Leave Sharing, Parental Leave, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Leave Without Pay.Deferred Compensation (supplemental retirement plan).Training and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement.Program for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (if applicable)Free parking at our main office in Tumwater.A stable funding source that does not rely on the state's general fund.The fulfillment of public service.Excellent work-life balance.Flexible work schedules and telework opportunities.Commitment to diversity in the workplace and support one another with respect and trust.Free Thurston County Transit or King County ORCA Transit pass for public transportation.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Reporting to the Open Enrollment Support Supervisor, the Open Enrollment Support Specialists provide problem resolution assistance to insurance consumers regarding their healthcare options and available services in support of the program. Further responsibilities include but are not limited to: Explains complex insurance and benefit program rules and procedures, answers questions, and provides educational resources to Washington consumers and beneficiaries.Assists callers and chatters by helping them to navigate insurance information on the Consumer Protection Division webpages and Medicare.gov website.Identifies appropriate agencies to refer a consumer to for issues outside the SHIBA and OIC scope of duties such as other state insurance departments, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Social Security Administration, the Health Care Authority, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Health Benefit Exchange.Identifies appropriate internal units or divisions that can best handle questions or insurance-related matters outside of this position’s core responsibilities.Partners with sponsors, Health Insurance Advisors, and other CP division staff and volunteers to provide information to the public at outreach and education events.Aids consumers that may need language access and/or an accommodation based on unit processes and procedures that relate to the American Disabilities Act.Checks shared mailboxes and distributes email to appropriate agency staff or volunteers.Updates the ORCA and STARS databases with information regarding calls, complaints and informational cases answered by phone, email, secure web form, and live chat.Provides phone and live chat duty coverage, providing seamless customer service.Monitors hotline activity via the Call Management System to ensure hotline coverage.Performs clerical work as needed in cooperation within the division such as scanning documents, mailing letters, distributing publications, sending faxes, etc.Assists division records coordinators with the production of materials for Public Disclosure Requests (PDRs) and legal discovery efforts.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
How to Apply: Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large green "apply" button at the top of this announcement. If you have not done so previously, you will need to set up an account profile. Please provide three (3) professional references on your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates. The initial screening will be based on the content and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Your letter of interest should describe how your experience, training and education make you a viable and competitive candidate for this position. Applications with comments such as "see attachments" or "see resume" in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.General suggestions for creating a good application: Read the job posting very carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions. Include all requested documentation. Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desired qualifications. Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one. Pay attention to each component of the question, providing examples, and thoroughly describing when and where you achieved the experience. Detail the types of work you performed, the work products, etc., to demonstrate 'how'. Specifically include all your work experiences doing the same or similar work, especially if you reference work in these jobs in describing when/where you gained experience or skills. Make sure your application reflects your best writing.Wage/salary depends on qualifications or state rules of compensation (if currently a state employee). Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Amber Jenson at recruitment@oic.wa.gov. Other Information: This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).State law (RCW 48.02.090[5]) prohibits employees of the OIC from having any interest, directly or indirectly, in an insurance company other than as a policyholder. This prohibition includes the receipt of renewal commissions. If employment is accepted with this agency, you agree to abide by this state law.If a degree or other credentials are listed by the candidate, proof will be required at the finalist stage. Candidates are encouraged to pre-plan for this. University degrees must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent.If a degree was awarded outside the United States, candidates must provide a credential evaluation report.Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position. If claiming veteran status, please send your DD 214 to recruitment@oic.wa.gov with IT3 2024-06943 in the subject line. Please do not attach the DD 214 to your application materials. Please black out personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. The Office of Insurance Commissioner is an equal opportunity employer. Auxiliary aides and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please contact the recruiter listed above. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing (log in, password or email issues) or completing your application (error messages), please call toll-free at (855) 524-5627.For general questions regarding applying for jobs, contact the recruiter or careershelp@des.wa.gov.