SENIOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLERK

Definition

Under the direction of a supervisor within the Division of Unemployment Disability Insurance, Department of Labor, is responsible for the operation of a unit of employees performing the daily work of taking and processing claims; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Responsible for assisting the supervisor of a unit which may consist of the continued claims certification and initial claim taking section, or the local office on-line payment system input unit.
• 1. If assigned to Grade 1 office, will be responsible for assisting the supervisor of the initial and/or continued claims unit or the LOOPS unit.
• 2. If assigned to Grade 2, will be responsible for LOOPS or initial and continued claims.
• 3. If assigned to Grade 3, will be responsible for LOOPS or initial and continued claims.
• Assigns work and serves as a lead worker, explaining the prescribed tasks, procedures, and performance requirements based on assessment of workflow and workers' capability to ensure that the worker understands the assignments, responsibilities, and degree of authority and accountability so that the public is served properly, promptly, smoothly, and efficiently.
• Trains new employees in the methods and procedures used in the office by demonstrating, closely observing, and if necessary, making constructive suggestions about the employees' performances to develop competent, efficient workers. Responsible for continuing training sessions for all work functions under supervision, ensuring that all subordinate work quality and quantity is maintained at a maximum.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Processes cash refunds and issues receipts.
• May process local office mail.
• Under the direction of a designated supervisor, investigates cases of claimants on whose records the computer terminal indicates a no- payment code by pulling case files and comparing the dates and amounts of payment with the computer record to approve or deny the claim. Personally handles LOOPS problems, such as research on unusual claims where nonpayment appears, follows through on research to clear payment of claims, or takes necessary steps to bridge claim back to alternate mechanical payment system.
• Audits figures by comparing records of dates and amounts of jackets with records of computer dates and amounts to determine correct figures. Serves as a resource person for clerks who audit on LOOPS or audit from computer printouts.
• Computes and/or assists others in computing monetary determinations for claimants with multiemployer cases using learned principles, regulations, and manuals to fix the rate of benefits and employer charges. Personally completes more complicated monetary determinations on difficult or unusual claims.
• Under the direction of a designated supervisor, serves as a lead worker in the taking and processing of initial claims as well as the certification of continued claims under the various programs of the division. Responsible for accuracy and completeness of all claims material emanating from this point prior to forwarding to the various sections within the local office for further consideration and processing.
• Explains or answers questions on the procedures for filing new and continued unemployment claims under the various programs to help the claimants understand the procedures and their rights and responsibilities under the law.
• Explains basic laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility for benefits.
• May be assigned to conduct Benefit Rights Interviews which would also include all of the above information dispensed at a group session.
• May be assigned to contact employers upon receipt of mass layoff information to assist in coordinating the process of scheduling workers into the local office to file benefit claims.
• Ensures that the continued claims process is administered according to procedure under the various programs of the division, controlling quantity and quality of work production assigned to subordinates.
• May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Three (3) years of claims related clerical experience, including interpretations of the technical aspects of insurance laws.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the regulations and procedures for performing monetary determinations on both single and multiemployer claims, and the ability to render technical assistance to subordinates working in this area. Knowledge of computation of benefits under the various special programs. Knowledge of techniques necessary for effective supervision. Knowledge of the provisions of the New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Act (UCX), the Unemployment Compensation Act of Federal Employees (UCFE), Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), Trade Readjustment Act (TRA), Combined Wage Claim (CWC), Extended Benefits (EB), and interstate laws and procedures as they relate to unemployment claims allowances and other new programs intermittently administered by the federal government after a period of training. Knowledge of the local office on-line payment system (LOOPS) after a period of training. Ability to converse with and relate to people of diverse backgrounds to tactfully acquire or distribute information or, if they are agitated, to maintain quiet but productive communication. Ability to perform calculations (add, subtract, multiply, and divide) and avoid errors, keep records, and to check calculations performed and recorded by others for accuracy. Ability to plan ahead and to make work assignments in a manner which promotes and coordinates action and the completion of individual tasks according to established priorities. Ability to recognize problems and potential solutions to determine which cases should be referred to a Claims Examiner. Ability to review the work done by subordinates and to train new employees. Ability to understand procedures and regulations of the various programs of the division, and apply them to coordinate specific activities of an assigned unit. Ability to read English and understand manuals, regulations, and instructions written in this language and subsequently to clearly explain instructions and regulations to subordinates. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Thirty (30) semester hour credits at an accredited college may be substituted for one (1) year of experience up to a maximum of two (2) years of substitution. SC3515N/AR14-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishSC3515N/AR14- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 02/25/1994