Merakey Jobs

Working Title: Workers' Compensation Ombudsman

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator

Agency: Labor & Industry Dept

• Job ID : 81577

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 11/20/2024

• Closing Date : 12/10/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Labor & Industry Dept / Labor and Industry-MAPE

• Division/Unit : Dept of Labor & Industry / Office of the Ombudsman

• Work Shift/Work Hours : 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $36.71 - $54.60 / hourly; $76,650 - $114,004 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position will:

• Lead and direct Minnesota's Office of Workers' Compensation Ombudsman (OWCO) program.

• Assist injured workers and small businesses who are having difficulties navigating the workers' compensation system.

• Provide advice and counsel to the Assistant Commissioner and the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.

• Provide the Assistant Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation assistance in resolving disputes and advancing the interests of injured workers within the workers' compensation system. This work involves:

• Analyzing complex workers' compensation issues; educating and assisting injured workers regarding effective strategies to pursue and preserve their rights to benefits under the Minnesota workers' compensation law;

• Facilitating agreements in disputed matters on behalf of injured workers;

• Providing education and assistance to small businesses; and

• Conducting outreach and education activities. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years' experience* working directly with the Minnesota's workers' compensation laws and stakeholders. *Experience may include administration of workers’ compensation programs; workers’ compensation litigation; arbitration and mediation of workers’ compensation disputes; or workers’ compensation claims management.

• Knowledge and understanding of workers’ compensation statutes, rules of practice, case law, and policy sufficient to provide expert technical assistance and explain rights, responsibilities, resources and options to stakeholders on workers’ compensation matters.

• Ability to research and interpret relevant facts, laws and filings to identify and evaluate an injured workers’ entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits, possible barriers, and options.

• Human relations skills to communicate in a clear, concise and accurate way, complex processes, concepts or legal positions to those who may have a limited understanding of the workers’ compensation system.

• Mediation and arbitration skills sufficient to successfully persuade and negotiate resolution of disputed issues.

• Project planning skills sufficient to organize projects autonomously and collaboratively, establish goals and timelines, clarify mutual expectations, and evaluate project results.

• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who may not share your same culture, ethnicity, language, or common experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school.

• Experience mediating and arbitrating workers’ compensation claims.

• Workers’ compensation litigation experience.

• Experience counseling workers’ compensation stakeholders on rights and responsibilities.

• Knowledge of DLI’s Workers’ Compensation Division operations sufficient to determine priorities for work activities.

• Language skills other than English (such as Somali, Spanish, Hmong, Karen or ASL).

Additional Requirements

It is the policy that all final candidates submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: SEMA4 Records Check, Employment Reference Check, Driver’s License Check, Education/License Verification.

This position is designated for hybrid:

• Hybrid for State of MN allows an employee to work a portion of the time remotely with a regular schedule of time at the designated office.

• Only candidates located in Minnesota and bordering states (Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin) are eligible.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.