What are the responsibilities and job description for the Workers' Compensation Claims Specialist III - SR-22 position at County of Hawaii?
Duties Summary
Serves as staff specialist in workers' compensation matters; prepares workers' compensation cases for administrative hearings; examines workers' compensation cases to determine appropriate benefits, awards, and settlements; and performs other related duties as required.
This level is characterized by its responsibility for examining and preparing the full range and variety of claims independently, including the most difficult and complex cases; class may provide management advisory service to line departments.
There is one (1) immediate temporary full-time vacancy not-to-exceed 11/15/2027 with the Department of Human Resources - Worker's Compensation Division in Hilo.
The Workers' Compensation Claims Specialist III, SR-22 position is a career ladder position. The next level in the series is Workers' Compensation Claims Specialist IV, SR-24, $5,918/month. Persons hired into career ladder positions must meet minimum qualifications for the next level in the career ladder series, perform work at the higher level, and meet performance requirements to move to the next level in the career ladder series.
The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.
Examples of Duties
- Screens workers' compensation cases and determines appropriate procedures to be followed.
- Investigates workers' compensation cases and analyzes cases for relevant facts.
- Contacts physicians, employers, injured employees, and co-workers to secure information to be used in case determinations.
- Arranges medical evaluations, medical ratings, and mental ratings to document medical-mental status of the injured employee.
- Determines injured employee's maximum recovery and calculates appropriate benefits.
- Consults with the Corporation Counsel on third party subrogation actions to be taken.
- Counsels injured workers on benefits and responsibilities.
- Assists the Corporation Counsel with appeals cases by investigation and research of assigned tasks.
- Reviews and examines workers' compensation cases for determination of appropriate benefits, awards, and settlements.
- Develops settlements to close workers' compensation cases involving disfigurement, permanent disability, and/or death.
- Determines that all required medical, employer, and other reports are present in accordance with the workers' compensation laws.
- Reviews pertinent facts and precedent Labor Department cases; interprets and applies law and departmental policies in the adjudication of worker's compensation cases.
- Participates in subrogation settlements to recover expenditures on applicable cases.
- Prepares synopses and represents the agency in hearings.
- Assists claimants in filing workers' compensation claims.
- Explains benefits and answers inquiries regarding workers' compensation.
- Recommends referrals of claimants for limited duty, retention, and/or rehabilitation counseling.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Training and Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:
- graduation from an accredited college or university with major work (baccalaureate degree) in business administration, public administration, or a related field (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
- two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience involving workers' compensation claims examination, and
- possession of a valid State of Hawai'i driver's license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver's license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire).
Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.
Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.
Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.
Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.
Knowledge of: State Workers' Compensation Laws and regulations; office procedures and practices; policies and practices of processing workers' compensation claims; applicable provisions of collective bargaining contracts; report writing.
Ability to: interpret and apply principles, practices, and techniques of claims examination and adjudication; interpret, understand, and explain laws and regulations pertaining to the workers' compensation program; obtains, analyze, and evaluate pertinent facts; deal effectively with others; research data.
Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Effort Grouping: Light
Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.
- Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
- Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
- Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
- Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
- Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
- County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
- Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
- Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
- Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
- Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
- Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
- Credit Union Membership
- Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.
All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.
Supplemental Information
Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:
an official college transcript,- a valid driver's license,
- a temporary assignment verification,
- professional licenses, and/or
- certificates,
Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.
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You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.
Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.
- Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
- Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
- Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
- Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
- Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
- County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
- Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries. For more information visit https://ers.ehawaii.gov
- Deferred Compensation: Eligible employees may participate in the Island Savings Plan (a deferred compensation plan as provided under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.) This is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan that allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions into a variety of investment options.
- Flexible Spending Plan: Eligible employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of insurance premiums, qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses.
- Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers the following health benefit plans for eligible employees:
- Medical Plan (HMO or PPO)
- Vision Plan
- Dental Plan
- Prescription Drug Plan
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The County offers a voluntary assistance program which provides its employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
- Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy for active employees.
- Credit Union Membership
- Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, such as: Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Victims Protection Leave, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, Donor Leave, and Jury Duty.
Department of Human Resources
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 2
Hilo, Hawaii, 96720
Salary : $63,096