Please paste the following URL into a browser to view the entire job posting in the CAPPS Career Section: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=00039233You may apply to the job directly through the CAPPS Career Section. It is not necessary to apply both through Work In Texas and CAPPS Career Section

　　Status: Internal/External-OIEC employees and the general publicJob Posting #: 00039233Location: Houston WestTravel required: 25%FLSA Status: Ombudsman I ExemptTentative Start Date: March 2024Do you have a passion for public service and enjoy making a difference? Dont miss out on this opportunity. Office of Injured Employee Counsel is hiring! Apply now if youre looking for a rewarding career in public service.Youll love the Benefits of Working at OIEC:Hybrid work schedule, if applicable96 hours of accrued vacation a year96 hours of accrued sick leave a year20+ holidays every yearCareer advancement opportunitiesFree parkingFree comprehensive medical insurance for full-time employees and 50% off premium costs for dependents (state pays other 50%)The Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC) is the state agency that helps injured employees with their Texas workers compensation claims. The agency assists, educates, and advocates on their behalf.and#8239;and#8239;OIEC provides services in 20 offices across the state.and#8239;and#8239;Agency services include advocacy, customer service, and dispute assistance through OIECs Ombudsman Program.Early Assistance Ombudsman (Ombudsman I) Houston WestAn Early Assistance Ombudsman (Ombudsman I) works with senior Ombudsmen who advocate, assist, and educate injured employees of Texas. The Early Assistance Ombudsman will utilize early intervention strategies to assist injured employees prior to hearings. Being an Early Assistance Ombudsman involves: assisting the injured employee one-on-one; answering questions from the injured employee; reviewing claims for medical and income benefits; studying and analyzing the case background on each claim; gathering and evaluating information (including medical records and letters from doctors); preparing and responding to requests for Designated Doctor examinations; evaluating and implementing strategies to resolve a claim early; reporting and referring complaints; and tracking and providing information and claim status. The Early Assistance Ombudsman works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.The Early Assistance Ombudsman will require a hybrid schedule, with a minimum of two days in the office.Work Hours: Monday Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.This position:Educates the injured employee about the workers compensation dispute process and workers compensation law/rulesAdvocates for expedient resolution of a claim by assembling evidence (e.g., medical records, causation letters, etc.) needed for insurance carrier determinations and/or in anticipation of benefit proceedingsContacts insurance carriers and medical providers to identify and resolvedisputes; assists with referrals to social services with other state agenciesProvides assistance in filing claims; assists with obtaining supporting claimdocumentation from doctorsRoutinely contacts injured employees to provide status updates and discuss upcoming events; documents customer contact in a computer system; answers general customer service questionsPerforms other duties, as assignedAdditional 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: Qualifications:Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.one year experience in claims management, insurance, casewor , healthcare, social work, or workers compensation.Education and relevant experience may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.This position requires knowledge of:assisting the publicconflict resolutionhandling and solving problemsreport writing and records maintenance principles and practicesinterpreting and explaining laws and regulationsdata entry and retrievalcustomer serviceuse of correct grammar, punctuation, and spellingThis position requires the demonstrated ability to:manage multiple, competing prioritiesestablish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups including injured employees and fellow staff memberscommunicate effectively both verbally and in writing with all levels of employees and the publicHow to applyBefore 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): https://www.oiec.texas.gov/contact/jobs.htmlAll applications must contain complete job histories, including job title, dates of employment, name of employer, managers 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 TexasWork 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 or copy and paste it into your browser: CAPPS TALEO Career SectionCriminal 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 on the basis of 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 [email protected] note: Unless specifically and expressly stated otherwise, regular attendance is an essential function of every OIEC job.Employment PreferencesFormer Foster Youth PreferenceAn individual who was under the permanent managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services on the day preceding the individuals 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. Govt Code, Section 672.002.Military employment preferenceSenate 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 214Surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried: Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentationOrphan of a veteran killed while on active duty: Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentationSpouse of a member of the US Ar