Claims Investigator
Fort Wayne, IN, US, 46774
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.
About the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD):
We strengthen Indiana by understanding workforce needs, aligning resources, and providing access to services that empower Hoosiers to thrive in a changing economy.
Role Overview:
A Claims Investigator (“CI”) is part of the Adjudication Division within the Department of Workforce Development. A CI will investigate Unemployment Insurance issues to determine if someone qualifies for benefits. The investigation includes reviewing documentation and speaking to parties such as employers and claimants. Once the information is collected, the CI will issue a Determination of Eligibility (“DOE”), which will provide the decision. Once the DOE is issued, the party who is affected can appeal to the Appeals Division. CIs can be expected to participate in these appeal hearings in front of an Administrative Law Judge via telephone.
This position is located in the Fort Wayne office and flexible work is available once all required training is completed.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $42,900.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- Coordinate with claimants, employers, and agency staff to make basic eligibility determinations.
- Explain laws, procedures and various unemployment programs to claimants and employers including benefit rights and eligibility requirements.
- Investigate eligibility issues, which includes in-depth interviews of claimants and employers to determine employment history and/or separation information.
- Make and compiles final written determinations of entitlement to, or denial of benefits and forward to Central Office for monetary determinations.
- Receive, investigate, and reply to all correspondence from all claimants and employers involving claims in local office.
- Investigate stolen, lost, destroyed, or forged benefits warrants.
- Assist both claimant and employers in filing appeal forms for protested claims.
- Determine exhibits to be offered during appeals hears and defend determinations.
- Receive, investigate, and correct system error list related to wage reporting, claim computation, and payment of benefits.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
What You'll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirement to be considered for employment:
- Must have a High School Diploma or High School Equivalent (HSE) or three (3) years of comparable experience.
- Successfully completed the Claims Investigator Trainee Program.
- The ability to quickly acquire general knowledge of, state and federal statutes and administrative rules, case law and procedures regarding unemployment insurance.
- Recognize and detect potential instances of claimant and employer fraud.
- A broad knowledge of the UI system, laws, and policies necessary to discover.
- Knowledge of how to conduct interviews that display good communication skills under unfavorable and adverse conditions.
- Recognize eligibility issues and applies proper state and federal statutes, administrative rules, case law, policies and written guidelines to make an eligibility determination.
- The ability to work well under pressure and able to always maintain a professional disposition.
- The ability to make quick and efficient decisions.
- The ability to be organized and have attention to detail.
- The ability to navigate multiple computer systems efficiently and effectively and stay abreast of regular changes and updates.
- The ability to effectively prioritize and manage time.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid new parent leave
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
Nearest Major Market: Fort Wayne
