Senior Claims Officer

Role Responsibilities

Are you a legal or insurance professional with a passion for justice, health service recovery, and leadership in complex claim environments? We are seeking a Senior Claims Officer to lead our Class Action Claims Team within the Third-Party Liability Unit. In this pivotal role, you will manage high-value and class action health service claims on behalf of the Crown, develop legal and procedural strategy, lead a specialized team, and collaborate with key stakeholders including legal counsel, insurers, and healthcare providers.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the financial stewardship of Alberta’s public health system, shape legislative and policy development, and lead a high-performing team through complex litigation and negotiation scenarios.

The job responsibilities include: 

• Lead and Settle High-Value and Class Action Claims:
  • Interpret and apply the Crown’s Right of Recovery Act and Regulations.
  • Determine claim eligibility, future health care needs, and calculate health service cost recoveries.
  • Lead and finalize settlements independently on claims with unlimited value, including national class actions.
  • Manage litigation processes, limitation dates, and external legal counsel to protect and advance the Crown’s interests.

• Annual Aggregate Assessment Oversight:
  • Assist with developing methodologies and contribute legal insight to assess costs recoverable from Alberta automobile insurers.
  • Collaborate with industry stakeholders, conduct legal analysis on liability and contributory negligence, and provide advice regarding assessment calculations.

• Legislative and Policy Development:
  • Recommend amendments to governing legislation and TPL unit policies and procedures.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to increase recovery efficiency.

• Strategic Communications and Briefings:
  • Prepare high-level briefing notes, action request responses, and internal advisories.
  • Represent the TPL unit in interdepartmental and system development projects (including implementation and training).

• Team Leadership & Expertise Development:
  • Mentor and provide leadership to Class Claims Officers.
  • Provide legal education to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Review files, support litigation strategy, and oversee compliance with internal policies, procedures and court deadlines.

• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with insurance companies and legal professionals.
  • Provide legal education to promote awareness of the Crown’s recovery rights and foster industry cooperation.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: 
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.  

Creative Problem Solving

• Facilitate open team environments where ideas flow freely
• Apply diverse techniques to break down and resolve challenges
• Bring the right people together to co-create innovative solutions
• Identify new ways to advance organizational goals

Develop Networks

• Build trust and credibility across all levels and groups
• Use professional networks to uncover new opportunities
• Represent diverse needs with fairness and insight
• Inspire others by aligning with shared values and common purpose

Build Collaborative Environments

• Foster an open, communicative, and expertise-sharing culture
• Lead strategic communication efforts across functions
• Anticipate conflicts and guide resolution strategies
• Unite teams around a shared vision and drive cross-functional collaboration

Systems Thinking

• Integrate broad trends and external factors into planning and decisions
• Assess political, social, and organizational dynamics to inform action
• Strategically align initiatives with long-term vision and goals
• Challange limiting beahviors to support progress and transformation

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in a related field, plus 6 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

The following experience is required: 

• A Law degree (LLB or JD) is required for this position.
• Extensive and current legal knowledge.
• Knowledge and experience with the Crown's claims must usually be equivalent to the knowledge and experience of lawyers representing the Crown.
• Educate lawyers and insurers about the Crown's claims, which requires a very high degree of knowledge and experience.
• Exceptional negotiation skills, as often deal with lawyers and insurers opposed in interest to the Crown.
• Extensive working knowledge of the Crown's Right of Recovery Act and Regulations, personal injury law, and general legal principles (i.e. limitations of actions and the Rules of Court) is critical to provide instructions to legal counsel and to appropriately advise and inform stakeholders.

The following experience is considered as assets:

• Extensive experience in negotiation.
• Strong background in personal injury law, insurance principles, medical malpractice, and civil procedures.
• Background in insurance or dealing with insurers.

The following experience will be given preference:

• Previous experience working with the government.
• Superior relationship building skills and adaptability /flexibility to work with a diversity of stakeholders, including the legal community, health care providers, the insurance industry.
• Ability to simultaneously manage a wide variety of diverse issues, some under significant time pressure, mobilize resources, and find innovative solutions to complex issues.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent negotiating and facilitation skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to educate others, including public speaking and the provision of presentations to stakeholders.
• Excellent research, analysis, and writing ability, including for the preparation of Briefing Notes.
• Strong project management skills.
• Superior legal skills including legal research skills, interpretation of relevant case law, and ability to identify legal issues.
• Superior human resource management skills are vital to effectively lead the Case Claims team.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a permanent position working 36.25 hours per week.

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.