Job Description

Status: Internal/External-OIEC employees and the general public

Job Posting #: 00043373

Location: Fort Worth

Travel required: 25%

FLSA Status: Ombudsman IV - Exempt

Do you have a passion for public service and enjoy making a difference? Don't miss out on this opportunity. The Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC) is hiring! Apply now if you're looking for a rewarding career in public service.

You'll love the Benefits of Working at OIEC:

• Hybrid work schedule, if applicable
• 96 hours of accrued vacation a year
• 96 hours of accrued sick leave a year
• 20+ holidays every year
• Career advancement opportunities
• Free parking
• Free comprehensive medical insurance for full-time employees and 50% off premium costs for dependents (state pays other 50%)

OIEC is the state agency that helps injured employees with their Texas workers' compensation claims. The agency assists, educates, and advocates on their behalf. OIEC provides services in 20 offices across the state. Agency services include advocacy, customer service, and dispute assistance through OIEC's Ombudsman Program.

Injured Employee Advocate (Ombudsman IV) - Fort Worth

The Injured Employee Advocate (ombudsman) is an advocate who assists and educates the injured employees of Texas. Being an ombudsman involves: assisting the injured employee one-on-one throughout the dispute resolution process; answering questions from the injured employee; reviewing claims for medical and income benefits; studying the case background on each claim; gathering and evaluating information (including medical records and letters from doctors); reporting and referring complaints; and tracking and providing information and claim status. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This position:

• assists and prepares the injured employee in mediations and/or formal hearings (proceedings) and provides routine updates to OIEC clients about the status of their claim
• educates the injured employee about the workers' compensation dispute process and workers' compensation law/rules
• assists with referrals to social services with other state agencies
• provides assistance in filing claims
• assists with obtaining supporting claim documentation from doctors
• contacts insurance carriers and medical providers to identify and resolve disputes
• documents customer contact in a computer system
• answers general customer service questions
• performs other duties as assigned

Additional job details:

This position may be eligible for hybrid telecommuting. Employees must have a secure, dedicated workspace with Internet service, ability to maintain a reliable, consistent work schedule, and be available for weekly meetings and group collaboration via Microsoft Teams and other applications during regular business hours.



Qualifications:

This position requires:

• graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• three years full-time experience in claims management, insurance, casework, healthcare, social work, or workers' compensation

If you hold a current law license, you must surrender it upon hire.

Note:

Education and experience relevant to position requirements may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Preferences for this position include:

• experience with medical terminology, rehabilitation, and disabilities/impairments
• public speaking, ie. training, outreach, community speaking, etc.
• bilingual English and Spanish language skills (oral and written)

This position requires demonstrated knowledge of:

• Microsoft Word and Outlook

This position requires demonstrated skill in:

• conflict resolution
• assisting the public
• handling and solving problems
• interpreting and explaining laws and regulations
• data entry and retrieval
• use of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

This position requires the demonstrated ability to:

• travel
• multitask between different cases and meet deadlines
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups
• communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with all levels of employees and the public

How to apply

Before you apply, please click, or copy and paste the following link into your browser for more information about working for the Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC): OIEC LINK

All applications must contain complete job histories, including job title, dates of employment, name of employer, manager's name and phone number, and a description of duties performed. We may reject applications that do not include all the required information. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

Submitted through Work in Texas

Work in Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions, please go to CAPPS Career Center to register or log in and access your profile. Click on the following link: CAPPS TALEO Career Section

Criminal background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense relevant to the position may be disqualified from employment.

Equal employment opportunity: OIEC does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in employment or in the provision of services. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be directed to OIECHR@oiec.texas.gov.

Please note: Unless specifically and expressly stated otherwise, regular attendance is an essential function of every OIEC job.

Employment Preferences

Former Foster Youth Preference

An individual who was under the permanent managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services on the day preceding the individual's 18th birthday is entitled to a preference in employment with a state agency over other applicants for the same position who do not have a greater qualification. Tex. Gov't Code, Section 672.002.

Military employment preference

Senate Bill 1376, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, Section 657.002 requires State agencies to give military employment preference in employment and retention. Please see more details on our job page.

In order to receive a military employment preference for any position, the following documents are required to be submitted with your application, as applicable:

• Veteran: DD Form 214
• Surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried: Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation
• Orphan of a veteran killed while on active duty: Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation
• Spouse of a member of the US Armed Forces/Texas National Guard serving on Active Duty: Marriage Certificate and copy of spouse's active duty military orders
• Spouse of a veteran with disability and is the primary income for household: Marriage Certificate, Veterans DD Form 214, and VA Benefits Summary Letter showing disability rating

Documentation must be attached before military preference can be granted, and all personal and/or sensitive information (i.e. Social Security Number, DOB) must be redacted from any attached documents.

For help translating your military work experience, including training courses on civilian job terminology, skill sets, and qualifications or requirements, click or copy this URL into your browser: www.texasskillstowork.com

Applicable Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes are included, but are not limited to the following:

27A, 250X, LGL10, 4421, 4402, 4430, 51JX, 92J0

Click the following link into your browser to access Military Crosswalk information: MOS and Military Crosswalk