L&I Office Assistant Lead

Salary : $36,900.00 – $48,864.00 Annually

Location : Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

Job Type: Agency Internal – Permanent

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 2023-12931

Department: Dept. of Labor & Industries

Division: Insurance Services – Legal Services

Opening Date: 10/06/2023

Closing Date: 10/29/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

Please Note: This opportunity is open to Labor & Industries employees only.

Are you ready for an exciting opportunity being part of the team that creates voluntary claim resolution settlement agreements? You would be part of the team that allows the agency to negotiate and enter into settlement agreements with eligible workers. You would also support the agency mission to “Keep Washington Safe and Working” by offering eligible workers the opportunity to be compensated for their workplace injury while preserving their choice to return to work.

As a member of the claim resolution settlement unit, you would be responsible for triage and assignment of applications and referrals to other team members and respond to multiple inquiries from a variety of customers. You would independently prepare and review reports, correspondence, weekly data update using unique computer systems and SharePoint. You would establish practices to resolve complex clerical issues. This would include unit procedures, equipment, and materials; and requires substantive knowledge to be able to explain to workers the settlement process and statutory threshold requirements. You would also make recommendations to the supervisor to support continual process and outcome improvement.

Duties
Some of what you’ll do:

• Assigns, instructs and checks the work of an Office Assistant 3 support staff. Plans and organizes their work to include mailing correspondence and outreach materials.
• Answer general telephone questions from workers, employers, attorneys and vocational counselors regarding the claim resolution settlement process.
• Sequentially assign applications and referrals to Program Specialist 4’s using SharePoint and the unit computer systems.
• Answer the unit’s main telephone line and retrieve and respond to voicemails.
• Create and update tracking log for all applications and all claims being reviewed by the Settlement Unit. Checks to make sure applications are complete.
• Data entry in multiple systems
• Manually process incoming and outgoing correspondence at Tumwater, WA location several times a week.
• And much more!

Qualifications
Required:

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to type 40 wpm accounting for errors.
• Two years of clerical experience including experience directing the work of others.

*Higher education may substitute for clerical experience.

Desired:

• Clerical skills – Skilled at typing and editing correspondence, answering and responding to phone calls from internal and external sources.
• Verbal and written communication – Expresses ideas and information through the spoken word as well as in writing. Is able to speak, read, and write English fluently and use English that is grammatically correct.
• Multiple Computer Programs – Demonstrated ability to access and move between multiple computer programs, such as databases, word processing programs, SharePoint, Command Center, and the Internet, to search for or enter/update information.
• Ability to Work with Difficult People – Ability to effectively communicate with and assist upset, confused, demanding, or otherwise difficult clients and customers.
• Workload Management – Effectively organizes multiple assignments, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and on time.

Supplemental Information
Things You Need To Know

To help you maintain a proper work-life balance, teleworking is one of the work schedule options for this position. L&I also offers flexible custom work schedules.

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington’s 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

For this position, telework is permitted part time and is dependent upon business needs and supervisor approval. The assigned duty station for this position is Tumwater, Washington.

For positions where in-office work is necessary, the frequency of telework will be discussed with the supervisor of the position at the time of offer.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A describing specific qualifications.
2. A current detailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.
4. Copy of your on-line5-minute typing assessment that meets the 40 wpm qualification. To see a typing assessment that meets the requirements visit Select and take the 5-minute assessment. Take a screen shot of your result, save, and attach during the online application process. Please do not send a link. (Your application may be considered incomplete without this assessment.) If selected for interview, your typing accuracy and speed may be reassessed and confirmed.

Please do not attach or place any medical information (vaccination status included) within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

Other information

• A job offer is contingent upon completion of a background check that includes a criminal record review.
• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver’s license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented bytheWashington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington’s 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference
Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion EmployerL&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.For more InformationIf you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact the

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

01

How did you hear about this job opportunity?

• www.careers.wa.gov
• WorkSource Center or Website (WorkSourceWA.com)
• L&I Talent Management Consultant (Staffing Solutions)
• L&I Employee
• Professional/Personal Network
• Monster
• College/university website/career fair
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• VERG
• Craigslist
• Indeed
• Twitter
• Job Fair (Military)
• Career Fair
• EHS Careers
• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
• Radio Advertisement
• Newspaper/Magazine
• L&I Website
• Other

02

If you indicated “Other” please specify where you heard about this position.

03

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an immigration-related employment benefit?

• Yes
• No

04

PLEASE READ THE BELOW AND TYPE YOUR INITIALS IN RESPONSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE STATEMENTS.
• I will NOT attach or place any medical information (vaccination status included) within the application, resume, or cover letter. If I do, I understand that it will be rejected and I may be provided an opportunity to apply again without including my confidential health information, while the posting is still open and applications are being accepted.
• I understand that my vaccination status is not needed.
• I will not share my medical information (vaccination status included) with hiring managers or interview panels.

05

Which software applications are you skilled at using? Select all that apply.

• Word
• Excel
• Outlook
• Sharepoint
• Command Center
• Adobe Acrobat Pro

Required Question