County Counsel Investigator

County of Santa Clara; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Clara seeks a County Counsel Investigator to join the Civil Rights, Tort, and Employment Litigation team, handling claims and litigated matters against the County and its employees. Under general supervision, you will conduct investigations, interview witnesses, gather evidence, and prepare detailed reports for court readiness.

Experience in a legal, government, or claims office environment is highly desirable, with emphasis on medical malpractice claims.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree; related analytical or management experience can substitute on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience in legal, government, or claims office is highly desirable.
• Experience with medical malpractice claims is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conducts investigations of claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara.
• Determines scope of investigation needed to resolve a claim and directs the securing of information.
• Investigates the scene of a claim and gathers information through interviews and photographs.
• Obtains and analyzes documents and maintains archives in the claims/case management system.
• Assists County Counsel Attorneys in preparation of cases for court.
• Gathers information from internal and external agencies, including law enforcement and county departments.
• Prepares detailed investigation reports with facts, dates, names, places, statements of claimants/witnesses, and listings of evidence.
• Performs research to support claim and risk analyses.
• Prepares e-discovery holds and ensures confidentiality.
• Represents the County in Small Claims Court.
• May serve as Administrator for NPDB reporting.
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker.

Skills

Investigations

Witness interviews

Evidence gathering

Analytical skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Collaboration

Public service mindset

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Claims management system

Job description

Under general supervision, perform investigations, interview witnesses, gather evidence on behalf of County Counsel, and analyze claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara and its employees.

The Office of the County Counsel seeks a County Counsel Investigator to work with the Civil Rights, Tort, and Employment Litigation team on claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara, including medical malpractice claims and lawsuits. Candidates should have excellent organizational, investigative, and analytical skills, and excellent written and oral communication abilities. The capability to work collaboratively with your colleagues and clients, and strong research and problem-solving abilities are valued. An eagerness to take on interesting challenges with a commitment to public service in a professional environment is an essential quality for success in this job. Experience in a legal, government, or claims office is highly desirable. Because the position will include investigation and evaluation of medical malpractice claims, experience as a medical malpractice claims analyst or other experience with medical malpractice claims is also highly desirable.

• Conducts investigations of claims and litigated matters against the County of Santa Clara;
• Determines scope of investigation needed to resolve a claim and directs the securing of information;
• Investigates the scene of a claim and gathers intelligence information through multiple avenues, including taking photographs and conducting interviews;
• Obtains and analyzes documents, records, and other confidential and/or sensitive material related to claims and litigated matters and ensures that collected documents are archived in the claims/case management system;
• Assists County Counsel Attorneys in preparation of cases for court;
• Gathers information by communicating with internal and external agencies, including Federal, State, local law enforcement agencies, and County departments;
• Prepares detailed reports of investigations, including synopses of facts, dates, names, places, statements of claimants/witnesses, and listings of evidence;
• Conducts research relevant to individual claims to support claim and risk analyses in reports and in support of the litigation team;
• Provides initial notification to excess carrier of claims, file closure, and, where appropriate, secures reimbursement;
• Participates in studies relating to programs and needs of the department;
• Prepares e-discovery holds;
• Maintains all claim files in readiness for legal action, recognizing the confidentiality of the investigative materials contained therein;
• Drafts a variety of correspondence related to claims and lawsuits, including Settlement Authority requests and tenders of defense;
• Represents the County in Small Claims Court;
• May function as the Administrator for the County’s National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); responsible for reporting claim/litigation data to state agencies, including the Medical Board and Board of Nursing;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note

The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to the possession of a Bachelor's Degree. Relevant analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory or management experience that includes interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, and Two (2) years of experience managing investigations, preparing detailed investigative reports, and interviewing witnesses.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California Driver’s License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

Knowledge of

• Methods for planning and conducting investigations;
• Research methods, including data collection;
• Report writing practices;
• The rules of evidence and court procedures;
• Insurance and related legal terminology;
• Coverages in liability policies;
• Federal, State, and local codes, rules, and regulations relating to vehicular, personal injury, and liability;
• Federal and state law relating to assessing and maintaining the confidentiality of personal health and/or identifying information;
• Medical terminology;
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation;
• Malpractice regulations and settlement limits;
• Principles of mathematical and statistical computations;
• Effective communication and interviewing techniques required for gathering, evaluating, and transmitting information;
• Common office computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Formulate, gather, interpret, analyze, evaluate, and present a variety of informational and statistical data;
• Conduct witness interviews to obtain and clarify information;
• Gather, analyze, correlate, and evaluate observed facts and evidence;
• Negotiate settlements with unrepresented claimants;
• Represent the County in Small Claims Court proceedings;
• Read and understand various statutory code provisions;
• Read and understand liability insurance policies;
• Handle and maintain confidential and sensitive information, including attorney work product and attorney-client communications;
• Prepare and present clear, concise reports.