Administrative Specialist I

State of North Carolina; Wake Forest (NC); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Health plan

Supplemental benefits

Retirement plans

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, is seeking an Administrative Specialist I (S) to support the Appeals section. The role handles UI appeals processing, scheduling hearings, and maintaining case records with independent judgment.

Hybrid position (remote and in-office) with full-time benefits. Requires attention to timelines, compliance with laws, and clear communication with referees, managers, claimants, and attorneys.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and two years of related administrative experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and validating appeals to determine whether they meet applicable laws, rules, and procedures before scheduling.
• Processing and scheduling hearings, including continuance requests, while ensuring proper notice is provided to all parties.
• Managing case timelines and ensuring federally mandated case-aging requirements are met.
• Routing correspondence and documents to the appropriate sections within the Division of Employment Security (DES).
• Preparing appeal case files by locating, organizing, reviewing, and assigning necessary documents for Appeals Referees.
• Using electronic document systems, such as DocViewer and NCUI Benefits, to retrieve and manage case records.
• Reviewing documents independently, including determining which documents should be included, excluded, or redacted.

Skills

Administrative procedures

Communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

DocViewer

NCUI Benefits

Job description

About Us

Agency: Dept of Commerce

Division: Employment Security

Job Classification Title: Administrative Specialist I (S)

Position Number: 60078020

Grade: NC08

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well‑being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.

The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

Description Of Work

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• Recruitment range is $39,244.00- $46,219.00

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement.

This position is designated as a hybrid position. This will be a combination of remote and in-office hours. The hybrid work arrangement is based on business needs and is subject to the discretion of the manager.

Description Of Work

This position serves as a key administrative and case-processing support role for the Appeals section. The employee ensures appeals are properly reviewed, scheduled, documented, and prepared for hearings, while exercising independent judgment and maintaining compliance with applicable laws, procedures, and deadlines.

This individual is responsible for processing, validating, and scheduling unemployment insurance (UI) appeals so Appeals Referees can conduct hearings. The position handles appeals received electronically through the system as well as those submitted by email, fax, and mail.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Reviewing and validating appeals to determine whether they meet applicable laws, rules, and procedures before scheduling.
• Processing and scheduling hearings, including continuance requests, while ensuring proper notice is provided to all parties.
• Managing case timelines and ensuring federally mandated case-aging requirements are met.
• Routing correspondence and documents to the appropriate sections within the Division of Employment Security (DES).
• Preparing appeal case files by locating, organizing, reviewing, and assigning necessary documents for Appeals Referees.
• Using electronic document systems, such as DocViewer and NCUI Benefits, to retrieve and manage case records.
• Reviewing documents independently, including determining which documents should be included, excluded, or redacted.
• Researching electronic records to ensure the appeal file contains a complete and accurate record.
• Communicating and distributing case documents to Appeals Referees, managers, hearing parties, attorneys, and authorized representatives by email or fax.
• Processing unidentified or improperly submitted appeal documents and assisting other staff with delegated assignments.
• Working with the Board of Review and DES Legal Services when cases involve higher-level appeals from Appeals Referee decisions.
• Handling special projects and other UI-related assignments as directed by management.
• Maintaining professional communication with Appeals Referees, managers, DES employees, claimants, employers, attorneys, and other parties.

About The Division

The Division of Employment Security is responsible for the administration of the unemployment insurance program in the state of North Carolina. This program is a federal-state partnership, funded by federal and state unemployment taxes, which employers pay on the wages of their employees. Benefits are paid to eligible workers who lose their job through no fault of their own and are able, available, and actively seeking work.

The Appeals Section of the Division of Employment Security provides the “hearing of record” on contested claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, allowing aggrieved appellants and relevant, associated appellees a quasi-judicial, neutral appellate tribunal for a decision on the facts of their case and the legal entitlement to benefits based on those facts and the associated liability for benefits paid, as required by state and federal law.

Appeals heard by the Appeals Section include qualification or eligibility for UI benefits; appeals of fraud and non-fraud overpayments; misrepresentation; federal programs including Disaster Unemployment Assistance, TRA and TAA; denials of claim withdrawals; and petitions for relief of benefit charges. The Appeals Section receives, validates and schedules appeals to first-level agency decisions, and is composed of management, Appeals Referees and administrative support staff.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of office or work unit procedures, methods and practices.
• Demonstrated experience explaining and interpreting information to clients/customers and staff.
• Demonstrated experience performing a high volume of detailed oriented and repetitive work under strict time guidelines.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in order to interact with the public

Incentives Of NC State Employment

We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Benefits to include:

• 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave
• North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna
• Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision
• NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans
• WeSave Employee Discounts
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the benefits link.

It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include all work experience, the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the graduation date, and certificates/licenses. Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered in screening for qualifying credit. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Supplemental And Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. Commerce does not provide employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment.

We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process and throughout employment. Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax by the vacancy closing date.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.

Our Agency uses the OSHR Recruiting and Posting of Vacancies Policy to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. All applicants must complete and submit a state application for employment using the Careers with the State of NC portal.

Re-Entry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

Our Agency supports the Governor's Executive Order 303 which seeks to re-employ individuals that were previously incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals are invited to apply for any vacant Commerce position(s) in which they believe they are qualified.

Minimum Education And Experience

High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and two years of related administrative experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.