Assistant County Attorney III, Supervisory, Chief of Worker's Compensation - Non-Merit

Regular Schedule: 35 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Office of Law.

Please submit your resume, writing sample and two references.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County General Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experiences on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You can attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Examples of Duties

General Overview

Under general supervision of the County Attorney, Deputy County Attorney, the Chief of Workers’ Compensation, under general supervision, plans, organizes, administers and supervises the Baltimore County Maryland Workers’ Compensation Program including reviewing and processing claims, participating in settlement negotiations, recommending loss control strategies, ensuring program conformance to applicable laws and regulations, preparing required reports, and monitoring and evaluating the program activities to ensure the delivery of quality services. In addition, conducts adjusting activities on behalf of the self-insured employer, to include investigating, negotiating, and managing claims against the County's Self Insurance Fund.

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, organizes, administers and supervises the Baltimore County Workers’ Compensation Program, including the review and processing of claims and legal documents, participation in settlement negotiations, recommending loss control strategies, instructing County staff on workers’ compensation issues, and ensuring conformance to applicable laws and regulations while maintaining a high level of customer service.

• Develops, recommends and implements workers’ compensation policies and procedures; recommend and implement goals and objectives.

• Supervises assigned staff including the training, and evaluation of personnel; Provides and coordinates staff training; Works with employees to correct deficiencies. Implements policies and procedures.

• Supervises the management of employee injury cases; Investigates or oversees the investigation of claims; develop strategies to handle specific cases in consultation with the appropriate parties.

• Interfaces with physicians, attorneys, County employees and management staff; Makes recommendations regarding medical aspects of retirement decisions; Develops and coordinates return-to-work plans; Coordinates and monitors rehabilitation plans for injured County employees; Evaluates results of pre-employment and return-to-work medical examinations and make appropriate determinations.

• Documents and maintains detailed claim files utilizing an electronic document and claims management system. Compares data on claim form with physician's statements, police investigative reports, damage appraisal reports, and other records to ascertain completeness and validity of claims. Identifies claims for subrogation, investigates subrogation potential, and pursues recovery of funds from third party.

• Prepares statistical, narrative, or other reports. Performs the claims handling function in compliance with Maryland Workers' Compensation Law, Baltimore County policies, and thepolicies and procedures of the Claims Management Unit. Establishes appropriate reserves and resolution plans on all claims.

• Coordinates claim function with other activities of the Claims Management Unit. Prepares claims for hearings and/or trials by gathering pertinent information and forwarding documentation to Counsel. May attend hearings or court proceedings as needed. Responds to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints; evaluate problems and take appropriate action to resolve issues/concerns; advise injured employees of their benefits.

• Stays abreast of trends and innovations in the field of workers’ compensation administration and keep current on legislative and regulatory issues at the State and Federal level.

• Supervises, coaches, and evaluates the performance of Attorneys, Senior Claims Adjusters, Claims Adjusters, Claims Assistants, and Medical Vocational Coordinator. Monitors compliance with Maryland Workers' Compensation Law, Baltimore County policies, and the policies and procedures of the Claims Management Unit. Provides technical expertise on high exposure claims. Monitors claims handling for appropriate reserving, litigation preparation, and appropriate resolution planning.

• Identifies, evaluates and assesses probability and severity of losses; Develops, implements, and monitors countywide cost containment strategies to prevent and minimize losses. Oversees and ensures an efficient records maintenance system for workers’ compensation claims and related information, data and activities.

• Completes required reports and records; Authorizes payment on medical bills, permanent and temporary disability compensation.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Graduation from an ABA accredited law school.

Licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland, or eligible to waive into the bar of the State of Maryland.

Ten years of increasingly responsible professional and administrative experience in self-insured or self-administered Workers’ Compensation Program. In addition, five years handling complex presumption claims.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the Maryland Rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as well as the Local Rules for the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local law.

Knowledge of County best practices and procedures.

Ability to manage and prioritize multiple complex matters.

Communicate with exceptional oral and written communication.

Ability to establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with others (inside and outside the Law Department).

Ability to work independently and meet deadlines while handling multiple tasks.

Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.

A strong sense of ownership of tasks and responsibilities.

Strong interpersonal skills required to work with the public and various agencies.

Strong technology skills, including the ability to coordinate and conduct electronic discovery, as well as proficiency with Microsoft Office software and legal research platforms such as Westlaw.

A willingness to perform with minimal administrative support.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education

Conditions of Employment

Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for an appointment to a position in Baltimore County must successfully complete an employment background investigation, including, but not limited to a criminal background, education, and fingerprint check.

Employment Benefits for Non-Merit or Non-Classified, Part-Time Employees

Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.

Smoke free workplace
All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.

Drug free workplace
Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.

Employee Assistance Program
Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.

Health Insurance
In order to qualify for health insurance benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance), part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include:

Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.

Life Insurance
In order to qualify for life insurance benefits, part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.

Retirement
Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very limited exceptions.

Paid Leave
Sick Leave - Monthly sick leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. No maximum on accrual. Accrued balance can be applied toward service credit at retirement.

Vacation Leave - Monthly vacation leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. Earnings increase after five, ten and fifteen years of service generally.

Holidays - Part-time 30 to 39 hour non-merit or non-classified employees will generally be paid for ten holidays per calendar year. Other part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees working 29 hours per week or less will receive two paid holidays per calendar year. These holidays are the Christmas holiday and the Independence Day holiday.

Bereavement Leave
Jury Leave
Military Leave

Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union
Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.

Direct Deposit
Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.

Deferred Compensation
Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.