Senior Tort Claims Investigator
Job Location:
Seattle, WA - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
- Summary
King Countys Office of Risk Management Services is seeking a skilled claims professional to support the Countys risk management efforts through thorough investigation evaluation and resolution of complex liability and bodily injury claims. This position plays a critical role in safeguarding public resources while ensuring fair timely and well-documented claim outcomes. The successful candidate will apply sound judgment collaborate effectively with internal and external partners and uphold King Countys commitment to Equity and Social Justice in daily decision-making. This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a high-performing team dedicated to service accountability and continuous improvement.
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The Office of Risk Management Services provides external services to the community as well as internal services to King County agencies including:- Claims: King County investigates evaluates and resolves claims made against the county in a fair and expeditious manner.
- Insurance: King County administers a self-insurance program and purchases a variety of other insurance policies and related services consistent with sound risk management practices and the needs of the County.
- Contracts: Risk Management advises King County agencies on insurance requirements in all types of contracts. Risk Management actively negotiates and together with the Prosecuting Attorneys Office assists agencies in pursuing and tendering claims arising out of contractual relations.
- Recovery Services: Risk Management is charged with seeking compensation for damages caused to King County property or injury to King County employees by negligent third parties.
- Enterprise Risk Management Program (ERM): ERM works to proactively identify and assess high priority risks King County owns and improve controls for those risks. The program provides King County departments with consultation data and direct support to improve decision making and action planning.
- Finance & Administration: provides a wide range of financial and administrative support services to the division including budget accounting and general office support.
- Open Government: Seeks to deliver government transparency accountability and accessibility through administration of the Public Records (Disclosure) Program Ethics Program Financial Disclosure Program and Lobbyist Disclosure Program.
- Job Duties
SCOPE OF WORK -To be considered for this opportunity you must at a minimum be able to demonstrate skill and ability to:
- Assess settlement value and negotiate resolutions with claimants and/or attorneys for claims involving complex liability issues and significant bodily injury damages.
- Conduct thorough research investigation documentation and analysis of complex third-party auto property and liability claims filed against King County.
- Analyze claims involving negligence proximate cause and comparative negligence in accordance with applicable statutes ordinances King County Code and case law.
- Review medical records and related materials to evaluate high-value bodily injury claims and determine appropriate settlement recommendations based on liability exposure and damages.
- Work collaboratively with Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys on litigation matters by attending depositions participating in arbitrations mediations and settlement conferences and representing King County in small claims hearings.
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of investigations negotiations and the disposition of claims and lawsuits; identify matters appropriate for loss-control action.
- Demonstrate independent judgment initiative and the ability to identify and implement workflow and productivity improvements.
- Experience Qualifications Knowledge Skills
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE - We are seeking candidates who:
- Have a strong background in complex tort claims investigations including auto liability municipal and public-sector risks general liability and bodily injury claims. Experience with litigation file handling and high-value bodily injury evaluations is strongly preferred. (An equivalent combination of experience and education that demonstrates the ability to perform these duties will be considered.)
- Provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders with professionalism and clarity.
- Are adaptable open to change and committed to continuous improvement in work processes and personal professional development.
- Possess strong negotiation problem-solving analytical verbal and written communication skills.
- Work collaboratively within a diverse team environment and value different perspectives backgrounds and working styles.
- Are proficient using Microsoft Office applications and comfortable documenting claims work in a Risk Management Information System (Origami).
- Are proactive and able to take on additional projects or assignments that advance division goals improve workflows and support broader department initiatives.
- Demonstrate a commitment to King Countys Equity and Social Justice principles incorporating these values into daily work and decision-making.
- Supplemental Information
Work location: The Risk Management team works in a hybrid model with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center 201 S. Jackson Seattle Washington 98104.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the departments hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Work schedule: This position is Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore is not overtime eligible. Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule every other Thursday.
Are you ready to APPLY
The recruitment for this position is open to all qualified candidates. A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a resume and cover letter.
This recruitment is an effort to fill our immediate vacancies as well as create a hire list that will be used for any positions that become vacant within the next 6 months including additional Term Limited Temporary (TLT) Short-Term Temporary (STT) and Career Service (CS) positions.
If you have any questions please contact Karina Cordova HR Analyst at or .
Are you ready to make a difference Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live work and play.
Application Process
If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King Countys vision for unified equitable and high-performing government please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process please contact Karina Cordova HR Analyst at
King Countys Vision Mission and ACTIVATE Values unite us.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles engage directly with communities and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards embrace change stay curious and continuously improve. Across all interactions we listen first act quickly and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision Mission and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex race color national origin ethnicity religious affiliation disability sexual orientation gender identity or expression age except by minimum age and retirement provisions pregnancy status as a family caregiver parental status marital status military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the persons sexual orientation or gender identity or expression citizenship or immigration status genetic information or other protected class. However to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law regulation or government contract it is not an unfair practice.
Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions including but not limited to recruitment hiring selection for training promotion transfer demotion layoff termination rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
