Job Details

Strategic Response Specialist

This position is open to Internal ESD Employees only.

This position will be eligible for telework full-time but may have to come into the office infrequently due to business needs.

The ideal candidate is an analytical, customer-focused professional with advanced expertise in employer compliance, regulatory interpretation, investigations, and complex problem solving within public insurance benefit programs.

They excel at researching and resolving intricate employer reporting and premium issues, interpreting and applying state laws and policies, and making well-supported decisions based on evidence and sound judgment. The successful candidate communicates complex regulatory requirements clearly, builds productive relationships with employers and stakeholders, and is committed to program integrity, continuous improvement, and delivering equitable, high-quality service that supports the Paid Family and Medical Leave and WA Cares programs.

The Strategic Response Specialist is assigned to the Strategic Response Team within the Employer Services Unit, and reports to the Strategic Response Supervisor. This position will be primarily responsible for providing escalated support services for employers, including reporting discrepancies, payment issues, and gaining access to Leave and Care employer accounts, while also evaluating employers' compliance with various state laws, regulations, and policies.

Duties

• Provides advanced technical assistance and consultation to employers, employer representatives, elective coverage customers, and third-party agents by resolving complex reporting, premium payment, account access, and regulatory compliance issues while ensuring accurate application of state laws and agency policies.
• Investigate employer reporting discrepancies, unpaid premiums, premium liabilities, fraud referrals, and other compliance concerns by researching records, analyzing evidence, conducting interviews, and coordinating with internal and external partners.
• Performs adjudicative and enforcement activities by conducting conferences and conciliations, evaluating evidence, determining violations, assessing penalties and interest, preparing case findings, and supporting administrative hearings.
• Researches and resolves employer account issues involving wage reporting, premium collections, bankruptcy, reporting irregularities, and premium recovery while maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
• Analyzes data, verifies calculations, monitors electronic records, and prepares well-supported written reports and recommendations that strengthen program integrity, improve accountability, and support legally defensible decisions.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams on policy implementation, operational improvements, rule development, outreach initiatives, and special projects while providing technical expertise to enhance Leave and Care program operations and customer service.

Qualifications

Option 1: Six (6) years of equivalent education/experience.

Option 2: One (1) year as an ES Benefits Specialist 2.

Option 3: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the ES Benefits Specialist 2 with another state that administers insurance benefits programs.

Option 4: Associate degree in a health, social science, public administration, business administration, accounting, law, or a related field and Four (4) years of the required experience below.

Option 5: Bachelor's Degree in a health, social science, public administration, business administration, accounting, law, or a related field and Two (2) year of the required experience below.

Option 6: Master's Degree in a health, social science, public administration, business administration, accounting, law, or a related field and One (1) year of the required experience below.

Required Equity Competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.

• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Required experience includes:

• Regulatory Knowledge & Communication Skills: Proficiency in explaining complex regulations clearly.
• Advanced Problem-Solving & Advising: Skill in addressing complex issues and providing guidance.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Proficiency in navigating intricate employer account matters.
• Workload & Quality Monitoring: Ability using available data to monitor workload and ensure quality outcomes.
• Data Analysis: to verify calculations, attention to detail to ensure accuracy, regulatory knowledge to comply with laws, problem-solving to resolve discrepancies, and communication skills to report findings.
• Adaptability & Multitasking Skills: Flexibility to manage varied responsibilities.
• Premium Recovery & Estimation Expertise: Ability to resolve unpaid premium issues accurately.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Supplemental Information

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Sanyu.Tushabe@esd.wa.gov or at 360.867.8629 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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