(1) Full-time position

The opportunity
This is a senior level professional position that serves as a consultant to executive management and provides agency-wide expertise in the area of non-monetary determination quality. This position will provide advice and consultation regarding unemployment insurance non-monetary determination quality issues across ESD and work with external stakeholders. This position develops and leads the UI Quality Control Team.

Major duties
The assigned work activities for this position are:

• Lead and direct activities of UI Adjudication Quality Team.
• Oversee the review and analysis of each phase of UI benefit eligibility decisions.
• Direct and guide the review and analysis of a monthly sample of non-monetary decisions, current practices, training, available resource materials and automated systems.
• Analyze results of team’s research and make findings and recommendations to senior management including the UI Director and UI Assistant Commissioner.
• Lead process improvements.
• Develop strategies and processes to implement federal and state legislation and regulations relating to benefit timeliness and quality (BTQ) standards.
• Oversee, develop, coordinate, implement and modify changes to current adjudication processes and systems.
• Develop best practices to deliver clearest and most efficient non-monetary decisions.
  Serve as agency-wide ESD subject matter expert and consultant concerning the quality and timeliness of non-monetary determinations.
• Advise and recommend improvements for UI adjudication processes.
• Prepare and deliver reports and position papers to divisional and senior management.
• Consult with and deliver recommendations to divisional and senior management concerning strategies and processes to ensure timeliness and quality of non-monetary benefit determinations that exceed standards set by USDOL.
• With senior leadership, communicate and collaborate with external stakeholders, including USDOL, UIAC, legislators and legislative staff to address issues relating to quality and timeliness of non-monetary determinations.
• Interpret complex legislation, rules and regulations to develop new procedures and policies to meet state and federal UI program requirements.

Required qualifications
Skills and abilities/competencies that are required upon entry to the position:

• Working-level knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations and policies that apply to UI benefit timeliness and quality.
• Working-level proficiency research skills - Identify, collect, organize, and document data in ways that make the information most useful for assessment, analysis, investigation, and drawing conclusions.
• Working-level analytical skills - Use logic and reasoning to assess data, form logical conclusions, evaluate options, and make decisions or recommendations.
• Working-level oral communication skill - Convey information orally according to the needs of the audience, and receive and understand spoken information.
• Working-level writing skills - Convey information in writing according to the needs of the audience.
• Working-level leadership skills - The ability to influence others to accomplish an objective and direct the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent.
• Working-level relationship-building skill - The ability to build trustful, cooperative working relationships.
• Working-level knowledge of UI systems used in adjudication process.

Desired qualifications
Skills and abilities/competencies that are preferred or desired upon entry to the position:

• Knowledge of UI intake and adjudication processes.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws relating to UI benefits.
• Ability to navigate computer systems relating to UI benefit adjudication processes.

Education, training and/or experience
The following education, training, and/or experience that may prepare someone to perform the major duties of the position.

3 years work experience conducting research, analysis, and applying laws, rules and regulations in UI benefit determinations.

The following education and experience is also highly beneficial:

Proven work experience in the following areas:

• Adjudicating UI determinations.
• Researching and applying Washington state laws and regulations relating to UI benefits and US Dept of Labor’s regulations relating to UI Benefit, Timeliness, Quality (BTQ) standards.
• In depth knowledge of UI TeleCenter intake and adjudication processes.
• Developing and making recommendations for process improvement.

Why we work here
Employment Security employees:

• Make a difference in the lives of people looking for work.
• Receive affordable, quality healthcare, including medical, dental, and vision options.
• Get a generous, paid time-off package.
• Enjoy an employer-funded retirement plan.
• Can sign up for a deferred-compensation program, flexible-spending accounts and tuition reimbursement.
• Work in a challenging and fun environment with creative, talented, and diverse individuals.

How to apply
Your application materials must be received no later than 5 p.m. on November 30, 2009, to be considered for this position.

Complete and submit:

1) To download an ESD application, click the link below.
ESD Application

2) Letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this opportunity

3) Résumé

Send your complete applicant package via e-mail to HRrecruiting@esd.wa.gov. Please reference the recruitment number in your email subject line.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a complete applicant package and follow the application instructions. Incomplete applicant packages will not be considered.

• Application materials must be in Word format (no PDF or scanned files).
• A signature is not required on the application form.
• Please do not password-protect the application form.
• Only electronically submitted materials are accepted.

The application package will be evaluated on quality and completeness as part of the screening/evaluation process. Should you have any questions regarding the application process please check the Frequently Asked Questions - Jobs at Employment Security page.

Agency profile
Employment Security Department (ESD) is one of the largest executive agencies in Washington State government. The mission of Employment Security Department is to help Washington's workers and employers succeed in the global economy by delivering superior employment services, timely unemployment benefits, and a fair and stable unemployment insurance system.

Unemployment Insurance Division profile
The Unemployment Insurance division administers and provides program services through statewide TeleCenters and its Web site. This division collects premiums from Washington employers and pays UI benefits to individuals who meet eligibility requirements. It also reviews, audits, and investigates instances of fraud.

Other information
As a condition of employment, the successful candidate accepting this position must comply with the Union Security clause contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training services. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities.

Individuals with disabilities needing assistance in the application process or needing this job announcement in an alternate format should provide contact information via e-mail, or via telecommunications device for the deaf at 800-676-3777.