State of Washington Classified Job Specification
INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE UNDERWRITER 3
Class Series Concept
See Industrial Insurance Underwriter 1.
Definition
In the Department of Labor and Industries, underwrites, manages, audits, educates and consults on State Fund workers’ compensation policy, accounts, and risk classification under the Washington State Industrial Insurance Laws for Level 3 complexity.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the journey level of the series. Positions at this level function independently and work under general direction. This level differs from the Industrial Insurance Underwriters 1 and 2 by independently performing more complex cases at the Level 3 complexity.
NOTE: Level 3 complexity factors are determined by the Labor and Industries' industry level/major operations matrix.
Typical Work
First point of contact for assigned group of employers; responds to employers’ questions about the Department of Labor and Industries services;
Establishes new State Fund workers’ compensation policies and accounts, determines proper coverage, evaluates jurisdiction status, assigns risk classification and corresponding rate, and determines appropriate experience rating level;
Performs the necessary accounting functions involved in maintaining employer policies and accounts; analyzes deficiencies and errors reported by policy holders and makes corrections; analyzes organization changes if indicated and makes proper determination as to action required;
Manages established policies and accounts; updates policy and account information such as adding/deleting risk classifications, investigating ownership changes, approving elective coverage and authorizing experience transfer, evaluating employer liability status, and assigning risk classification to industrial insurance claims;
Analyzes, calculates, and adjusts rates and premiums resulting from experience consolidations, third party recovery, second injury relief, claim overpayments, occupational disease claims and risk class conversions, and authorizes issuing of a bill statement to policy holder; authorizes re-evaluation of case reserves when the current reserve results in inequitable rates for the policy/account holders;
Initiates legal action for unregistered employers for claim cost penalties to bring unregistered employers into compliance;
Resolve issues of employers at lowest level; receives protests and conducts research and analysis to determine whether or not to investigate and/or audit an employer account to make final determination on the employer’s appropriate risk class, rating, and financial balance; reviews and investigates employer notification of claims charged in error; reassigns claim to appropriate account to ensure proper assessment.
Conducts analysis to identify and present insurance options for employers; educate and consult with employers on insurance options, risks, and cost saving measures; provides information on Labor and Industries services; determines and initiates the necessary referrals to other services offered by the department;
May perform underwriting functions by on-site inspection of employer’s operations for determination of proper risk classifications based on job hazard(s) of business and/or employees;
May perform duties with employers rated at Level 1 & 2 complexity.
Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: basic principles of underwriting, insurance, auditing and accounting, in-depth knowledge of laws and regulations relating to industrial insurance; wage and employment practices, departmental operations; ever-changing industries and policies.
Ability to: present facts, opinions, and recommendations in a clear, concise, effective and logical manner, both orally and in writing; provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate account and payroll records; determine risk classifications or status by making accurate determinations; compute and explain complex rating process clearly and concisely.
Legal Requirement(s)
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree with a field or focus involving tax liabilities, insurance benefits, risk classification, accounting or bookkeeping, research, statistical or management analysis or related fields;
AND
One year of experience as an Industrial Insurance Underwriter 2.
Note: Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the required education and must include three years of direct customer service.
Class Specification History
New class: July 1993
Revised definition and minimum qualifications: November 13, 2000
New class code: (formerly 13847) effective July 1, 2007
Revised salary range, definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, knowledge and abilities, and desirable qualifications; adopted June 30, 2017; effective July 1, 2017.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.