Supervisor, Property Damage Claims

NOTE: This position is open only to current City of New York employees serving in a permanent (not provisional) civil service title of Claim Specialist. Please clearly state your permanent civil service title on your resume and cover letter.

The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.

Authorized by the New York City Charter, the Comptroller, through the Bureau of Law and Adjustment (BLA), negotiates and approves all monetary settlement of claims and lawsuits involving the City of New York. BLA investigates and, when in the best interest of the city, settles pre-litigation claims for and against the City of New York. In resolving claims before litigation is commenced, BLA protects the fiscal interest of the City while ensuring that pre-litigation claims are resolved in a fair and just manner, and in accordance with applicable laws. BLA furthers this goal in its review, evaluation, and authorization of requests to settle litigated cases involving the City and through diligent administration of disputes arising out of City contracts. BLA manages City risk by holding agencies accountable, rooting out fraud, and identifying trends, as well as, coordinating with the Law Department and other City agencies on issues that impact the public fiscal and public safety.

The Bureau of Law & Adjustment is responsible for investigating and adjusting claims filed for and against the City of New York. The Property Damage Division investigates and resolves tort claims including, but not limited to, automobile accidents, defective roadway/sidewalk, water main breaks, sewer overflows, and damage by City personnel. The Property Damage Division works closely with the New York City Law Department and various agencies and departments on a variety of matters.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Assistant Division Chief, with wide latitude for independent initiative and judgment, responsibilities of the supervisor include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supervise the daily work of claim specialists, coordinate their work, and review claims submitted by staff to ensure they are complete, and that an accurate disposition is determined regarding claim settlement or disallowance;
• Guide and monitor the performance of staff, including setting tasks and standards, completing performance evaluations, and maintaining regular diary reviews of assigned claims;
• Supervise and/or aid in the investigation of high-profile claims that involve multiple claimants, preparing and/or reviewing spreadsheets, or drafting reports or memoranda when required;
• Communicate effectively and professionally with all claimants, especially with pro se claimants; act as a liaison between the Comptroller's Office, agencies, attorneys, claimants, insurance carriers, etc. for the purpose of investigating and settling claims;
• Interact within prescribed limits to approve/disapprove recommendations made by the Law Department;
• Communicate effectively and professionally with the Comptroller's engineering and auditing staff, the Bureau of Fiscal Services, the Central Imaging Facility, the motor vehicle damage appraisal contractor, as well as the staff of other elected officials, among others;
• Use available databases for the purpose of obtaining information relevant to the investigation of a claim;
• Provide the Assistant Chief Division Chief with regular activity reports of staff assigned;
• Perform related assignments and special projects as required.
  
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: This position is open only to current City of New York employees serving in a permanent (not provisional) civil service title of Claim Specialist. Please clearly state your permanent civil service title on your resume and cover letter.

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or
• An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university and two years of full-time satisfactory experience investigating and/or settling claims for personal injury or property damage or loss; or
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and four years of full-time satisfactory
  
  

experience investigating and/or settling claims for personal injury or property damage or loss; or

• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to “1”, “2” or “3” above.
  
  

College education may be substituted for experience as described in “2” or “3” above on the basis that 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of

required experience. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its

educational equivalent.

Preferred Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of property damage tort claims - Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision - Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing (includes Microsoft Office Suite proficiency) with all claimants and agency personnel - Basic understanding of the process/relationship between the Comptroller's office and the Law Department with respect to lawsuits.
  
  

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.