DOJ Claims Examiner - Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division

Oregon Department of Human Services; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 54,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 paid holidays

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Personal leave

SEIU representation

Benefits package

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Justice Crime Victims' Services Division seeks a Claims Examiner in Salem to administer the Crime Victim Compensation program. You will review medical records, law enforcement reports, protective orders, and other materials to determine eligibility and authorize payments per guidelines.

You will manage about 2,000 active claims annually, communicate with victims and partners, and provide trauma-informed service while adhering to applicable statutes and rules.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time experience determining eligibility for benefits or evaluating information (police reports, medical/psychological assessments, etc.).
• Oregon driver’s license required.
• Ability to apply statutes, rules, and policies to determine eligibility and decisions.
• Experience communicating with victims and professionals in high-stress situations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review documentation to determine eligibility for Crime Victim Compensation.
• Communicate with applicants, medical providers, law enforcement and advocates to gather needed information.
• Authorize payments up to $47,000 per claim based on statutory guidelines.
• Testify at restitution hearings when required and provide trauma-informed guidance.
• Manage a caseload of roughly 2,000 active claims annually.
• Provide clear, plain-language decisions and maintain documentation per policy.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Trauma-informed approach

Bilingual in Spanish

Job description

Initial Posting Date: 09/17/2026 Application Deadline: 10/08/2026 Agency: Department of Justice Salary Range: $4,519 - $6,904 Position Type: Employee Position Title: DOJ Claims Examiner - Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division Job Description: The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) - Crime Victims' Services Division (CVSSD) is seeking a thoughtful, detail-oriented professional to join our Compensation Section as a Claims Examiner. The Compensation Section administers the Crime Victims' Compensation (CVC) program, which processes more than 7,000 new claims each year. Our mission is to lessen the financial impact of violent crimes on victims, survivors, and their families. Each biennium, CVSSD distributes over $8 million to cover expenses such as medical care, counseling, funeral costs, lost wages, sexual assault forensic exams, and child abuse medical assessments. As a Claims Examiner, you will review a wide range of documentation, including law enforcement reports, medical records, protective orders, insurance coverage documentation and other materials, to determine whether applicants meet the statutory and administrative criteria for acceptance into the Crime Victim Compensation Program. You will manage a caseload of approximately 2,000 active claims annually, ensuring timely and accurate eligibility determinations, authorizing payments based on submitted documentation, and maintaining claim management standards set by the Division. If you are an individual with strong judgment, clear communication, and a commitment to trauma-informed service for victims and their families, this could be the role for you!

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (in part)

Claims Evaluation, Analysis and Eligibility Interprets and applies Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 147, Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Criminal Code to evaluate applications and determine program eligibility for compensation in a victim-centered and trauma-informed manner.

Conducts in-depth evaluation and analysis of supporting documentation for each CVC application including, but not limited to, medical records, law enforcement reports, protective orders, and any other pertinent documents to determine eligibility per state statute and rule.

Communicate with applicants, medical providers, law enforcement, and advocates via phone and email to obtain the information needed to determine eligibility and manage claims.

Regularly and consistently applies statute, rule, DOJ and CVSSD policies and procedures to compose clear, trauma-informed administrative orders, requests for information, and inquiry responses.

Evaluates requests for reconsideration, by reviewing any new information provided and determining whether newly provided information changes original decision to deny the claim and responds to applicant in the appropriate manner.

Assists in the preparation and defense of claims that are appealed to the Workers’ Compensation Board, including testifying in front of the Board when necessary.

Program Monitoring and Claim Management Manages claims throughout their life cycle until expiration, providing consistent support and communication with victims, survivors, advocates and service provider.

Authorizes payments of up to $47,000 per claim for compensable, crime-related expenses based on statutory guidelines and submitted documentation, and allowable losses.

Conducts detailed evaluation of documents to authorize compensation for reasonable treatment costs rendered by service providers.

Authorizes requests for compensation after program and payment eligibility has been established, following review of all supporting documentation including medical documentation such as chart notes and treatment plans.

Provides verbal and written communication with victims, survivors, medical/service providers, advocates and community partners regarding application decisions, services, the CVC program process, funding limits, and compensation requests- consistently citing relevant OARs/ORS.

Court Testimony Provides supporting documentation upon receipt of request from the District Attorney’s Office prior to restitution hearings. Attends and testifies virtually or in person at restitution hearings to explain CVC processes, allowed expenses, and the basis for award and payment.

Program Coverage and Support Rotates as Examiner of the Day, providing coverage for other examiners and claims specialists, supporting applicants and partners with timely, trauma-informed assistance.

Other duties as assigned.

Training Provides training to CVC staff, claims examiners and program service providers as required to strengthen trauma-informed, victim-centered practices across Oregon’s and provide support to victims of crimes.

REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that you demonstrate, using an intentional equity lens.

• Two years of full-time experience determining eligibility for benefits and/or verifying, validating, analyzing, and/or evaluating information such as police reports, medical and psychological assessments, treatment plans, diagnosis and outcomes, income and tax records, and/or insurance plans. This experience could be gained in positions such as victim's advocate, case worker, mental health specialist, workers'-compensation claims examiner, risk management analyst, unemployment insurance adjudicator, paralegal, insurance claims adjuster, medical-treatment claims adjuster, or financial claims adjuster.
• AND Have and maintain an Oregon driver's license.

DESIRED SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Experience navigating criminal justice, victim advocacy, social services, healthcare or public programs supporting trauma-informed individuals and coordinating across multiple partners.

Training and applied experience in trauma-informed practices, crisis response, domestic/sexual violence work, cultural humility, equity, and anti-racism principles.

Experience communicating with individuals experiencing trauma or crisis while maintaining clarity, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries.

Experience evaluating complex or conflicting documentation (e.g. medical records, legal documents, law enforcement reports, protective orders) to make eligibility or case determinations, including making high-judgment decisions in roles requiring autonomy, and accountability.

Experience interpreting and applying statutes, administrative rule, policy, or other technical criteria consistently and defensibly, including in cases where information is incomplete or ambiguous.

Experience drafting or editing policy, administrative rule language, legal summaries, or similar technical materials that require precision and comprehension of legal intent, and the ability to explain these complex concepts in clear, plain language.

Experience working in positions with regular exposure to sensitive or traumatic information while sustaining consistent, high-quality work and demonstrating effective self-management strategies.

Bilingual in Spanish is a bonus!

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

Work/life balance to include 11 paid holidays a year, vacation, sick leave, personal business leave, and a competitive benefits package.

Permanent, full-time employment in Salem, Oregon.

A workplace where individual contribution matters and is recognized; and where creativity and accomplishment are rewarded.

Opportunity to expand your government auditing and data analysis skills.

Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Pension and retirement programs.

Endless peer and management support, and representation by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

For more information about our benefits, you can learn here.

The Department of Justice is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.

Oregon Department of Justice 1162 Court St NE Salem OR 97301 [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon flies with her own wings.