Job Description

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.

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.

Under the direction of the division supervisor, with latitude for independent judgment and initiative, the duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Completing a full investigation of property damage claims against the City of New York, which includes obtaining and reviewing agency reports, analyzing liability and damages, and preparing an objective evaluation of the claim;

- Preparing a claim abstract detailing the relevant information pertaining to the investigation and evaluation of damages;

- Making sound recommendations as to the settlement or disallowance of assigned claims, and negotiating and settling claims within authorized monetary level;

- Searching databases, media outlets or using other available sources to investigate and obtain information relevant to the claim;

- Maintaining control over claim caseload, following-up with requests to agencies, and closing out claims that are beyond the statutory time period to begin an action;

- When appropriate, preparing liens or recommending suits against third parties;

- Communicating effectively and professionally with all City agencies, pro se claimants, attorneys, and insurance carriers for the purpose of investigating, negotiating or settling claims;

- Working collaboratively with the Comptroller’s engineering and auditing staff, the Bureau of Fiscal Services, the Central Imaging Facility, the motor vehicle damage appraisal contractor, among others; and, performing related assignments and special projects as required.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must be current employees of the City of New York 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.

Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.