Claims Specialist II

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:

• Job Posting Closes: August 5th, 2026

Department of Administration, State Self Insurance Fund

Kansas Department of Labor’s Division of Workers Compensation | Kansas State Self Insurance Fund

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Salary Range: $28.10 - $29.00

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• First day of employment coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical and prescription drug coverage and dental plan.
• Additional voluntary options including vision, hospital indemnity, accident and critical illness insurance plans and flexible spending accounts.
• SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in-person and virtual health care services.
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

• Manage all claims with a threshold exceeding $60,000 and those that meet criteria according to the guidelines established. Calculate and process compensation payments for injured workers timely. Research, calculate, prepare and negotiate settlement for functional disabilities within authority limit of $30,000 for their assigned claims in accordance with the Workers Compensation Laws and Regulations. Provide assistance and conduct in-service training at agencies requiring statewide travel regarding workers compensation focusing on dollars spent, types of injuries, body parts involved and safety measures to prevent injuries. Consult and educate injured workers regarding their rights and benefits, providing them with helpful information in order to access and receive benefits. Calculate and issue indemnity payments and compute/order separate checks for payment of child support when applicable. Review accuracy of medical bills for medical necessity before approving payment. Verify claimant reimbursement for mileage, per-diem, and out of pocket medical expenses. Maintain effective working relationships with injured workers, agency officials, medical professionals, attorneys, co-workers and management. Attend team meetings with medical providers.
• Decide compensability based on facts and according to the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act, rules and regulations and prior case law. Acknowledge and respond promptly by phone and/or in writing to inquiries from injured workers, physicians, agencies, attorneys and others. Notify injured worker and agency in writing when the claim is determined not to be compensable. Meet with both internal and external counsel to discuss legal defense strategy on a daily basis. Prepare and write a summary of legal issues and theory of defense in cases which require assignment of a defense attorney to argue compensability in preliminary, regular, or review and modification settings. Coordinate job site evaluation or rehabilitation evaluations as necessary. Mediate disputes when possible in order to resolve issues and avoid litigation. Work closely with attorneys regarding various degrees of litigation to defend the State's interest throughout the life of the claim. This caseload is compiled vastly of complex legal claims that involve settlements.
• Collaborate with injured workers, medical providers, Department of Administration, Agency personnel and attorneys to maximize early Return to Work. Stimulate return to work discussions when injured workers have not been returned to duty. Advise injured workers that other benefits such as vacation leave, sick leave and Family and Medical Leave Act may apply. Inform agency personnel office of injured workers status for the purpose of coordinating FMLA or other benefits for injured employees. Provide information to outside sources as established within agency guidelines. Attend the annual DOL Workers Compensation Seminar and all technical training determined by the administrator. Make recommendations to supervisors for continuous process improvement.
• Update claims management system with appropriate information necessary to track claims. Maintain all required active electronic files utilizing claims management system and available resources. Match, review, and act on all documents related to claims that are scanned to the adjuster specific queue. Review running award claims periodically for review and modification and offset purposes. Periodically review case load for claims that can be closed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of experience in planning, implementing and monitoring activities relevant to the agency's programs. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.
• Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (any area of study).
• Certified Workers' Compensation Professional.
• Five years of experience applying the Kansas Workers Compensation Act, case law and board decisions.

Special Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Certified Workers' Compensation Professional preferred or expected to complete this certification within the first year of service in this role.
• Computer Skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access. Grammar, proofreading, editing, attention to detail. Knowledge of Kansas Workers Compensation Act. Knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Knowledge of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Working knowledge of applicable Kansas statutes/regulations. People management skills. Effectively communicate orally and in writing; calculate payments.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply complex laws/policies. Document/maintain claim activity. Ability to plan/conduct investigations by phone or personal interview. Ability to work in a high volume environment. Knowledge of legal research of state laws, rules and regulations. Experience reading/comprehending medical records and reports, mediating/negotiating settlements.

Post Offer Requirement:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Brianna Brandt

Email: Brianna.brandt@ks.gov

Job Application Process:

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• DD 214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Letter of Interest / Cover Letter
• Three Professional References

How to Claim Veterans Preference:

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building 915 SW Harrison Rd.
Topeka, KS 66614

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.