Occ. Code 2579100       

UNCLAIMED FUNDS EXAMINER 1, GRADE 14                                      2579100

UNCLAIMED FUNDS EXAMINER 2, GRADE 18                                      2579200

UNCLAIMED FUNDS EXAMINER 3, GRADE 22                                      2579300

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

          Unclaimed Funds Examiners conduct outreach to find the rightful owners of abandoned property, issue refunds, and facilitate the transfer of surplus funds to the State’s General Fund. They process abandoned property reports, claims, and securities related to the New York State Abandoned Property Law. Positions ensure the Office of the State Comptroller's rules, regulations, and procedures are followed when processing unclaimed funds held in trust by the State of New York.

          These positions are only classified at the Office of the State Comptroller.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Unclaimed Funds Examiner 1: entry level; supervises Office Assistants that process abandoned property reports, claims and securities.

Unclaimed Funds Examiner 2: second supervisory level; supervises Office Assistants and Unclaimed Funds Examiners 1.

Unclaimed Funds Examiner 3: third supervisory level; supervises Unclaimed Funds Examiners 2; oversees the daily operations of a section in Unclaimed Funds.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Unclaimed Funds Examiner 1:  under the general direction of an Unclaimed Funds Examiner 2, or higher-level supervisor, reviews and processes abandoned property reports, claims and securities related to unclaimed funds; processes and applies remittances to abandoned property reports; reconciles cash and security remittances to owner details; ensures reporting instructions are followed by banks, corporations, brokers/dealers, insurance companies, utilities, courts, State agencies and local municipalities; determines the type of claim and documentation required for return of property; sends inquiries to customers including reporting organizations, owners, estate representatives, attorneys, asset locators, courts, State agencies, and local municipal officers for additional information; reviews original and pending claims to determine what required documentation is necessary to entitle claimant to property; determines appropriate distribution when multiple claimants share in claim; recommends partial payments when all claimants do not present claims simultaneously; processes unique claims where claimants receive funds on a formula basis or are paid on a fractional basis according to levies or legal agreements; determines availability of payment methods for security claims; contacts the securities custodian, transfer agents and mutual funds companies to facilitate the return of securities to owners; scans, indexes, and categorizes new correspondence; conducts unclaimed funds outreach events, assists the public in determining if they have unclaimed funds, and provides direction on how to file a claim; supervises and trains Office Assistants by establishing workload priorities, identifying backlogs, and ensuring staff complete work according to schedule; prepares performance evaluations; and interviews and selects staff.

          Unclaimed Funds Examiner 2 : under the general direction of an Unclaimed Funds Examiner 3 or higher-level supervisor, reviews, approves or  rejects abandoned property reports, the payment of claims, or the delivery of securities;  reviews and verifies determinations and calculations for reports, claims, and securities processed by subordinate staff;  reviews and submits batch claim payment files to the Statewide Financial System; resolves processing questions involving difficult abandoned property reports, the validity of difficult claims,  documentation supporting the claims, and difficult security issues; evaluates work flow procedures in assigned processing unit and write new or revised procedures as necessary; coordinates activities with agency reporting units, accounting units, securities unit, IT staff, and Division of Legal Services to ensure the proper processing information is conveyed and that there is adherence to internal controls; conducts and leads unclaimed funds outreach events, assists the public in determining if they have unclaimed funds, and provides direction on how to file a claim; evaluates  automated systems and recommends changes; and develops electronic content and forms.

          Unclaimed Funds Examiner 3: under the general direction of an Assistant Director of Unclaimed Property Services, or higher-level supervisor, manages the operations of a reporting, processing or securities unit in the Office of Unclaimed Funds; establishes unit goals, procedures, objectives and priorities by assigning staff to meet unit workflow priorities, reviewing automated systems reports, and monitoring unit's workflow; directs training of new and existing employees; prepares employee evaluations and counsels employees as necessary; ensures adherence to and enforcement of New York State Abandoned Property Law, and agency rules and regulations; resolves abandoned property reports, claims and securities requiring sensitive handling or requiring interpretation of abandoned property laws, rules, and regulations; reviews and submits batch claim payment files to the Statewide Financial System; reviews and approves high value claims; represents the Office of Unclaimed Funds with other Office of the State Comptroller programs, outside agencies, and organizations; organizes all activities related to unclaimed funds outreach events, assists the public in determining if they have unclaimed funds, and provides direction on how to file a claim; manages electronic repositories for content; participates in various business improvement projects which include the project planning, execution, control, closeout, and post implementation; coordinates all activities related to securities held by the Office of Unclaimed Funds securities custodian or other business partners; and meets with agency reporting units, accounting units, IT staff, and Division of Legal Services to coordinate information, ensure the consistent implementation of agency policy and adherence to appropriate internal controls.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

         Unclaimed Funds Examiner 1

Promotion: one year of service in a clerical or paraprofessional position allocated at Grade 9 or above.

Unclaimed Funds Examiner 2

Promotion: one year of service as an Unclaimed Funds Examiner 1.

Unclaimed Funds Examiner 3

Promotion:  one year of service as an Unclaimed Funds Examiner 2.

Date:  4/19

Note: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.