Legal Staff Paralegal in Tyler, TX

Government

Tyler, TX

Legal Staff Paralegal in Tyler, TX

Legal Staff

No

Job Title: Early Assistance Advocate for Injured Employees (Ombudsman I)

Job Responsibilities:
An Early Assistance Advocate (Ombudsman I) is responsible for working collaboratively with senior Ombudsmen to advocate for, assist, and educate injured employees of Texas. The role involves utilizing early intervention strategies to assist injured employees prior to hearings. Key responsibilities include:

- Assisting injured employees one-on-one and answering their questions.
- Reviewing claims for medical and income benefits.
- Studying and analyzing case backgrounds 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 laws.
- Advocating for expedient resolution of claims by assembling necessary evidence for insurance carrier determinations or 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 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:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
- 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Demonstrated skill in assisting the public, conflict resolution, handling and solving problems, report writing, records maintenance principles and practices, interpreting and explaining laws and regulations, data entry and retrieval, customer service, and use of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, including injured employees and fellow staff members.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with all levels of employees and the public.

Salary Information:
- Salary (Pay Basis): $3, Monthly
- State Job Code: 3660
- Salary Admin Plan: B
- Grade: 17

Additional Information:
The position is based statewide in Texas with a requirement to travel 25% of the time. It is a full-time position with a standard workweek of 40 hours. The position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The organization 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 requests for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be directed to the provided contact email.

Employment Preferences:
- Former Foster Youth Preference: Individuals who were under the permanent managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services on the day preceding their 18th birthday are entitled to a preference in employment with a state agency over other applicants for the same position who do not have a greater qualification as per Tex. Gov’t Code, Section .
- Military Employment Preference: In accordance with Senate Bill 1376, State agencies are required to give military employment preference in employment and retention. Required documentation must be submitted with the application for preference consideration.

Application Process:
Applicants must submit complete job histories, including job title, dates of employment, name of employer, manager’s name, and phone number, along with a description of duties performed. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Criminal background checks will be conducted on all final candidates.