Job Title: Early Assistance Advocate for Injured Employees (Ombudsman I)
Job Responsibilities:
An Early Assistance Advocate (Ombudsman I) collaborates with senior Ombudsmen to advocate, assist, and educate injured employees in Texas. The role involves early intervention strategies to assist injured employees before hearings. Key responsibilities include:
- Assisting injured employees one-on-one.
- Answering questions from injured employees.
- 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 claims early.
- Reporting and referring complaints.
- Tracking and providing information and claim status.
- Educating injured employees about the workers’ compensation dispute process and workers’ compensation law/rules.
- Advocating for expedient resolution of claims by assembling evidence needed for insurance carrier determinations or in anticipation of benefit proceedings.
- Contacting insurance carriers and medical providers to identify and resolve disputes.
- Assisting with referrals to social services with other state agencies.
- Providing assistance in filing claims and obtaining supporting claim documentation from doctors.
- Routinely contacting injured employees to provide status updates and discuss upcoming events.
- Documenting customer contact in the computer system.
- Answering general customer service questions.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience Information:
- .
- One year of experience in claims management, insurance, casework, healthcare, social work, law office (paralegal/legal assistant), or workers’ compensation. Education and relevant experience may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.
The position requires knowledge of:
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
The position requires demonstrated skill in:
- Assisting the public.
- Conflict resolution.
- Handling and solving problems.
- Report writing and records maintenance principles and practices.
- Interpreting and explaining laws and regulations.
- Data entry and retrieval.
- Customer service.
- Use of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
The position requires the demonstrated ability to:
- Manage multiple, competing priorities.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, including injured employees and fellow staff members.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with all levels of employees and the public.
Salary Information:
- Salary (Pay Basis): $3, monthly.
- Number of Openings: 2.
- Overtime Status: Exempt.
Additional Information:
- Employee Status: Regular.
- Schedule: Full-time, standard hours per week.
- Travel: Yes, 25% of the time.
- State Job Code: 3660.
- Salary Admin Plan: B.
- Grade: 17.
- Job Posting: Jul 10, 2025, 11:24:00 PM.
- Closing Date: Ongoing.
Benefits of Working at the Organization:
- 96 hours of accrued vacation per year.
- 96 hours of accrued sick leave per year.
- 20+ holidays every year.
- Career advancement opportunities.
- Free parking.
- Free comprehensive medical insurance for full-time employees and 50% off premium costs for dependents (state pays the other 50%).
Application Process:
- All applications must contain complete job histories, including job title, dates of employment, name of employer, manager’s name, and phone number, and a description of duties performed. Applications lacking this information may be rejected.
- Resumes do not replace the required job history information.
- Criminal background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. An applicant convicted of a criminal offense relevant to the position may be disqualified from employment.
- Equal employment opportunity: The organization does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in employment or in the provision of services. Requests for reasonable accommodation during the application process should be directed to the appropriate contact.
Employment Preferences:
- Former Foster Youth Preference: Individuals under the permanent managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services on the day before their 18th birthday are entitled to a preference in employment with a state agency over other applicants without greater qualifications.
- Military Employment Preference: Senate Bill 1376 requires state agencies to give military employment preference in employment and retention. Documentation required for military preference includes DD Form 214 for veterans, marriage certificates, DD Form 1300, birth certificates, active duty military orders, and VA Benefits Summary Letter.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes applicable include 27A, 250X, LGL10, 4421, 4402, 4430, 51JX, and 92J0.
