Assistant Division Chief, Property Damage Claims Division

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

New York City Comptroller’s Office is seeking an Administrative Claim Examiner to oversee the Property Damage Division, manage staff, and coordinate settlements with the Law Department and City agencies. The role emphasizes analytical review, procedural improvements, and effective communication with officials and the public.

The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree and have four years of liability-claims investigation/settlement experience, including supervisory exposure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with four years of full-time experience investigating and settling liability claims or equivalent.
• 18 months of managerial/administrative or supervisory experience required as described in the qualification above.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Division Chief in managing day-to-day operations of the Property Damage Division.
• Supervise Division staff to ensure high professional standards and compliance with procedures.
• Review investigative and supporting documentation for settlements or disallowances.
• Delegate settlement authority within approved limits.
• Interact with Law Department and City Agencies on dispositions and recommendations.
• Prepare performance evaluations and address misconduct or performance issues.
• Propose and implement new procedures to improve resolution of division processes.
• Serve as the point of contact for Property Damage claims and related policies.
• Communicate effectively with elected officials, agency personnel, attorneys, the public, and stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Attention to detail

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.

Authorized by the New York City Charter, the Comptroller, through the Bureau of Law and Adjustment (BLA), negotiates and approves all monetary settlement of claims and lawsuits involving the City of New York. BLA investigates and, when in the best interest of the city, settles pre-litigation claims for and against the City of New York. In resolving claims before litigation is commenced, BLA protects the fiscal interest of the City while ensuring that pre-litigation claims are resolved in a fair and just manner, and in accordance with applicable laws. BLA furthers this goal in its review, evaluation, and authorization of requests to settle litigated cases involving the City and through diligent administration of disputes arising out of City contracts. BLA manages City risk by holding agencies accountable, rooting out fraud, and identifying trends, as well as, coordinating with the Law Department and other City agencies on issues that impact the public fiscal and public safety.

The Bureau of Law & Adjustment is responsible for investigating and adjusting claims filed for and against the City of New York. The Property Damage Division investigates and resolves pre-litigation property damage claims, and also works closely with the New York City Law Department to resolve claims in litigation. Claims can arise from singular incidents or may involve catastrophic events affecting many claimants.

Under the direction of the Division Chief of Property Damage, responsibilities of the Assistant Division Chief include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assisting the Division Chief in managing and directing all functions of the Property Damage Division, including overseeing the day-to-day operations, and in the Division Chief’s absence, performing the Division Chief’s duties;
• Managing and supervising the Property Damage Division staff, to ensure work is performed in accordance with the highest professional standards and in compliance with Bureau procedure and applicable statutes and laws;
• Providing direction and monitoring the productivity of the Division to ensure efficient and effective resolution of claims;
• Reviewing files submitted by staff for settlement or disallowance, including a complete review of investigative reports, agency reports and all other supporting documentation;
• Delegating within independent authority and with discretion, appropriate monetary settlement authority to staff;
• Interacting, within prescribed limits, to approve/disapprove recommendations made by the Law Department and other City Agencies and Departments;
• Preparing employee performance evaluations and reporting and documenting instances of employee misconduct/misbehavior or performance issues, as necessary;
• Recommending, designing and implementing new procedures for the effective and efficient resolution of Division processes;
• Acting as the point of contact for Property Damage claims, processes, and policies;
• Communicating effectively and professionally with the staff of elected officials, agency personnel, attorneys, the public, and other stakeholders, as well as working closely with the Comptroller’s Engineering and Audit staff, the Bureau of Fiscal Services, the Central Imaging Facility, etc.; and
• Performing related assignments as may be required, including organizing and managing special projects when needed.

ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIM EXAMINER - 1004E

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of full-time experience investigating and settling liability claims, 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity or supervising a staff performing the investigation and settlement of liability claims or related work;

2. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have the 18 months of experience in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of the claims process, including the investigation, adjustment and disposition of claims.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated experience preparing clear, concise, and accurate analytical reports, including the provision of recommendations for review, creation, and modification of policies and procedures.
• Attention to detail, exceptional written and verbal skills, and the ability to perform multiple tasks requiring prioritization.
• An understanding of the process/relationship between the NYC Comptroller’s Office and the Law Department with respect to lawsuit dispositions.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational skills (including Microsoft Office Suite proficiency) and ability to interact with all levels of management.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.