Benefit Accuracy Auditor

State of Montana; East Helena (MT); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Public service benefits

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

PERS retirement system

Holiday pay

Telework options within Montana

Job summary

State of Montana in Montana is seeking a Benefit Accuracy Auditor in the Unemployment Insurance Division. The role involves independently investigating UI claims, interviewing claimants and employers, and ensuring that eligibility and benefit decisions are accurate and well-documented.

You will document findings, correct errors, and prepare case summaries and reports for program and executive leadership, contributing to program integrity and public trust.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting investigations, audits, or reviews that require gathering facts, evaluating evidence, and reaching well-supported conclusions.
• Experience interpreting laws, rules, policies, or procedural standards to determine compliance or eligibility in regulatory or claims-related settings.
• Experience conducting interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds and evaluating credibility of information gathered.

Responsibilities

• Conduct claims audits: examine UI claims actions and data to confirm eligibility and benefits accuracy.
• Investigate and gather facts by interviewing claimants, employers, and third parties.
• Analyze cases and identify patterns affecting program integrity and eligibility.
• Take corrective action by resolving issues directly or referring them for action.
• Document findings with precise case summaries and codes in state UI systems.
• Produce clear summaries and reports for leadership outlining findings and recommendations.
• Support quality reviews by participating in peer reviews of audit work.

Skills

Critical thinking

Interviewing

Analytical skills

Written communication

Time management

Independent judgment

Tech aptitude

Job description

Note: Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at: https://mtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobdetail.ftl?job=26142309&tz=GMT-06%3A00&tzname=America%2FDenver

Are you meticulous, analytical, and driven to get to the bottom of a case? As a Benefit Accuracy Auditor with the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Division, you’ll independently investigate UI claims by interviewing claimants, employers, and other parties to verify the facts behind eligibility and benefit decisions. Your work helps ensure Montana workers and employers can trust that UI determinations are accurate, fair, and well-supported; protecting public funds and strengthening confidence in how the program is administered. If you’re ready to put strong investigative skills to work in a role that offers real independence and room to grow, we’d love to hear from you.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

It’s about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open, team-based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Unemployment Insurance Division depends on accurate, well-documented claims decisions to protect the integrity of the program and meet federal performance standards. The Benefit Accuracy Auditor examines and evaluates UI claims actions, documents, and case data to confirm that eligibility and benefit determinations were made correctly; investigating and interviewing claimants, employers, and other parties as needed. This position documents findings, corrects errors, and prepares clear case summaries and reports for program and executive leadership, and may also take part in peer reviews that evaluate audit work against federal and state criteria. Through this work, the position plays a direct role in safeguarding program integrity and public funds across the division.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

• Make a real impact: Your work directly protects public funds and strengthens Montanans’ trust in a program that supports workers and employers across the state.
• Room to grow: On-the-job training in UI law, policy, and case systems, with opportunities to build investigative and analytical skills that carry into future roles across state government.
• Stable, purpose-driven work: A steady public-service career where your attention to detail and sound judgment make a measurable difference.
• Comprehensive benefits: State of Montana employees receive a competitive package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, and membership in the Montana Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).
• Work-life balance: A structured schedule and supportive team environment that respects your time outside of work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct claims audits: Examine UI claims actions, documents, and computer data to confirm the accuracy, adequacy, and propriety of eligibility and benefit determinations.
• Investigate and gather facts: Interview claimants, employers, and third parties by phone, mail, and email to gather information, resolve discrepancies, and confirm compliance.
• Analyze cases and identify patterns: Review completed cases, staff investigations, and denied claims to identify issues related to the program itself or an individual’s eligibility for benefits.
• Take corrective action: Resolve identified issues directly or refer them for action, and coordinate implementation of corrective measures.
• Document and code findings: Translate investigation results into accurate, detailed records and coded data within state UI systems, correcting errors as needed.
• Produce case summaries and reports: Prepare clear, well-documented summaries and reports for program and executive leadership that outline findings and recommendations.
• Support quality reviews: Participate in peer reviews, evaluating the accuracy of other claims audits against federal and state criteria.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Critical thinking and attention to detail: Spot inconsistencies, gaps, or errors in documents, data, and testimony that others might miss.
• Investigative interviewing: Ask clear, targeted questions and judge the credibility of claimants and employers across a range of communication styles.
• Analytical and research skills: Gather, organize, and interpret information from multiple sources to reach a sound, well-supported conclusion.
• Written and verbal communication: Explain findings and decisions clearly and professionally to claimants, employers, and colleagues.
• Time management and prioritization: Manage a high volume of cases and shifting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy.
• Sound judgment and independence: Make independent, defensible decisions while knowing when to escalation.
• Technology aptitude and adaptability: Learn and accurately use case management and data systems, along with UI law, policy, and procedure on the job; prior UI experience is a plus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Demonstrated experience conducting investigations, audits, or reviews that require gathering facts, evaluating evidence, and reaching well-supported conclusions.
• Experience interpreting and applying laws, rules, policies, or procedural standards to determine compliance or eligibility in a regulatory, insurance, benefits, or claims-related setting.
• Experience conducting interviews or fact-finding conversations with individuals from a range of backgrounds, and evaluating the credibility of information gathered.
• Proficiency with standard office software and the ability to learn and accurately use case management, data, or records systems; prior unemployment insurance experience is a plus but not required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience documenting findings and preparing clear, professional summaries or reports for varied audiences.
• Experience managing a high volume of detailed work and competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy and sound judgment.

BENEFITS

Being able to enjoy the quality of life in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Our mountains, waterways and open spaces provide not only beautiful scenery but year-round recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, biking, fishing, boating, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. Montana boasts a high-quality education system and a variety of entertainment including fairs, rodeos, and theaters. Read more about our great state here.

See our other incredible benefits here. These are some of our benefits just to name a few:

• Work/life balance with hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana.
• 38 paid days off a year including vacation, sick leave and holidays.
• Military leave: You’ll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
• Longevity raises with continuous service, as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, EAP – click here to learn more.
• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan – click here to learn more.
• Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73% – 9.07% of your annual salary. A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available. — Click here to learn more.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- click here to learn more!
• Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth.
• State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.

*This position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

++E-Verify++

This agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/