Claims Adjudicator - Multiple Vacancies - Bangor

MaineGuide; Bangor (ME); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Office in Bangor

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Department of Labor - Bureau of Unemployment Compensation in Bangor, ME seeks an adjudicator to analyze complex UC cases, write decisions, and enforce laws. The role combines office work with occasional in-person hearings and requires clear communication and sound judgment.

You will interview claimants, employers, and witnesses, review information, and represent the State in appeals. The position requires strong analytical skills and a commitment to accuracy and fairness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two years of public-contact experience demonstrating interviewing, data gathering, and analytical skills.
• Comparable work experience may substitute education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Interview claimants, employers, and witnesses by phone to determine eligibility and chargeable employer accounts.
• Write clear decisions documenting UC benefit determinations and charges.
• Evaluate investigative information to determine best course of action protecting state law and funds.
• Explain laws, regulations, and policies to claimants, employers, and the public.
• Investigate misrepresentation and fraud; prepare reports of investigation.
• Testify at hearings and in court to support written decisions.
• Plan, assign, and oversee work of subordinate staff; provide training as needed.

Skills

Interviewing

Investigation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Legal/regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Economics, Finance, or related field

Job description

Department of Labor - Bureau of Unemployment Compensation: Benefit Services Division

Job Class Code: 0686
Grade: 21/Professional Technical
Salary: $21.54 to $30.14/Hour
Location: Bangor, ME

Opening Date: September 3, 2026

Closing Date: September 18, 2026

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Job Summary:

We’re looking for a decision architect to join our team as an adjudicator! If you thrive on analyzing complex cases, delivering fair outcomes, and navigating the nuances of regulations, this role is perfect for you.

This is a hybrid position with at least 1 day per week in the office. Remote work starts upon completion of the probationary period.

This is administrative work in determining eligibility of claimants for inter/intra state multiple-factor complex Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits and other available programs and investigating possible fraudulent claims. Responsibilities include establishing, enforcing, and collecting overpayments; analyzing relevant information; interviewing claimants, employers, and witnesses; interpreting and applying the Maine Employment Security Law; writing decisions; serving as the State’s advocate for appeal hearings and in court; auditing paid claims; investigating allegations of fraud; and/or administering the Combined Wage Program. Supervision may be exercised over claims specialists, aides, or clerical personnel. Work is performed under limited supervision.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Interview claimants, employers, and other witnesses largely by phone to determine claimant eligibility for compensation and which employer account, if any, to charge.
• Writes clear and concise decisions to document UC benefit determinations and which employer account, if any, to charge.
• Evaluate and assess all investigative information to make referrals and determine and initiate the best course of action that protects the State’s application of laws, rules, and use of unemployment funds.
• Explains laws, regulations, commission rules, precedents, and Department policies regarding eligibility, disqualifications, and appeals to provide information to claimants, employers, and the public.
• Investigates, researches, and documents allegations of misrepresentation and fraudulent claims to determine validity and prepare reports of investigation.
• Testifies at hearings and in court to present and justify written decisions rendered.
• Plans, assigns, and oversees the work of subordinate staff, as well as provides training to ensure applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies are applied consistently and equitably.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of
  • Interviewing and investigative techniques.
  • Research techniques and practices.
  • Labor-management relations.
  • Federal and state laws, rules, regulations, precedent cases, and agency manuals governing UC programs.
  • Policies and procedures relating to the prevention, detection, and recovery of overpayments.
  • Public sector and private industry employment practices.
  • Quality Control Program goals and objectives.
• Ability to
  • Communicate effectively.
  • Write clearly and effectively.
  • Determine benefit eligibility.
  • Interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations in specific circumstances.
  • Compile and analyze facts, reach logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
  • Deal effectively with irate or confused clients.
  • Demonstrate competent time management.
  • Use desktop and laptop computers.
  • Write complete and understandable decisions and reports.
  • Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of subordinate staff.

Minimum qualifications:

(Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience).

A Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Economics, Finance, or related field and two (2) years of technical, administrative, or paraprofessional support level experience in public contact work which demonstrates interviewing, data gathering, and analytical skills. Comparable work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate would have experience in adjudication, investigations, and unemployment law.

Contact Information:

Questions about this position should be directed to: Deanna Moreau, [e-mail]

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.

• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.

• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.

• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.

• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.