Occ. Code 8150100

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS ASSISTANT, GRADE 14

8150100

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 1, GRADE 18

8150200

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 2, GRADE 23

8150300

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 3, GRADE 27

8150400

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS PROGRAM ASSISTANT MANAGER, M-3

8150500

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS PROGRAM MANAGER, M-5

8150600

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

 

Classification Standard

 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

 

Positions in this series assist Holocaust survivors or their heirs worldwide in filing claims against banks and insurance companies to recover assets deposited in European banks, monies never paid in connection with insurance policies issued by European insurers, and lost or looted art.  Incumbents perform research in domestic and foreign archives to obtain documents and information to support these claims. These positions are in the non-competitive jurisdictional class and exist only in the Banking Department.

 

RELATED CLASSES

 

Claims Services Representatives make initial determinations on the compensability of indemnity and medical claims and file appropriate documentation with the Workers Compensation Board for approval; and respond to inquiries from claimants, policyholders and medical care providers on compensation and disability claims.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS ASSISTANT:  entry level; assists claimants and higher level staff in putting together a case with supporting documents to justify the claim.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 1: full performance level; independently works with clients in filing claims.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 2:  first supervisory level; handles the more complex claims.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 3: second supervisory level; handles the most complex claims; communicates extensively with representatives from the international settlement entities such as the Claims Resolution Tribunal (CRT) and International Commission for Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC).

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS PROGRAM ASSISTANT MANAGER: one-position class; serves as second-in-command; oversees the day-to-day operations of the program; assumes the role of the Manager in the latters absence.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS PROGRAM MANAGER: one-position class; directs the operations of the program, including public relations; reports to the Superintendent of Banks.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS  ASSISTANT:  checks claim applications for completeness; organizes the content of the claim forms in conformity with the format of the database, ensuring that information provided appears in the appropriate field;  enters applications into a database;  consults with higher level staff to clarify entries on forms when unsure of the meaning of a response or the relevance to the claim; verifies the spelling of geographic locations; cross-checks information such as dates of various events; and maintains and updates records.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 1:  guides potential claimants in filing claims by employing interview techniques that will assist claimants in recalling and relating information pertinent to the claims; conducts research in domestic and foreign archives to uncover documentation and historical details to support claims; searches through primary resource materials, often in foreign languages, to discover supporting documents for the claimants standing as an heir to the assets of a Holocaust victim; forwards completed claims to various international agencies such as CRT and ICHEIC; communicates with claimants on the progress of their claims; reviews the reasons for denial of claims and resubmits them if feasible; corresponds orally and in writing with banking, insurance and/or art recovery entities and/or their agents regarding claims; identifies any obstacles to appropriate and timely consideration of claims and provides additional required information.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 2:  supervises Holocaust Claims Specialists 1; assigns and reviews work and trains subordinates; and performs the more complicated claims activities. The complexity of a claim depends on (1) geographic location of the original asset; (2) language in which the claim is written; (3) level of and quality of detail of the documentation and information provided by the claimant; and (4) existence of outside claims processes.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 3:  supervises Holocaust Claims Specialists 2; works on the most complex cases; conducts the most difficult research to obtain documents to support claims; and monitors the progress of all claims submitted to CRT and ICHEIC.  

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS PROGRAM ASSISTANT MANAGER:  directs the activities of claims staff; assumes responsibility for the office in the Managers absence; and handles special projects as assigned by the Manager or executive staff.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS PROGRAM MANAGER:  oversees all program activities including public relations and high-level negotiations; deploys staff in the most efficient manner to accomplish the programs mission; negotiates with high-level officials of the Swiss and central banks, insurance companies, CRT, ICHEIC, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to assist with the management of complex and often overlapping claims processes and resolves any procedural roadblocks; and ensures appropriate and efficient handling of the most problematic claims.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

Proficiency in Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Russian, French, Polish or other European language is required for all levels.

 

Substitutions (applies to Holocaust Claims Specialist 1-3):  A Juris Doctor or Masters Degree may substitute for one year of the experience.  A Ph.D. may substitute for two years of the experience.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS ASSISTANT

 

Bachelors Degree.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 1

 

Bachelors Degree and two years of experience in one or a combination of the following:

 

-          researching and evaluating data related to the Holocaust and Nazi Germany; or

 

-          pursuing clients claims for return of assets from the Holocaust Era; or

 

-          coordinating or managing a program that involves the collection and evaluation of data; or

 

-          practicing law (post-bar).

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 2

 

Three years of the experience required for Holocaust Claims Specialist 1.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS SPECIALIST 3

 

Five years of the experience required for Holocaust Claims Specialist 1. The experience must have included supervision of professional staff.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS PROGRAM ASSISTANT MANAGER

 

A Juris Doctor or Masters Degree and six years of experience in one or a combination of the following:

 

-          researching and evaluating data related to the Holocaust and Nazi Germany; or

 

-          pursuing clients claims for return of assets from the Holocaust Era; or

 

-          coordinating or managing a program that involves the collection and evaluation of data; or

 

-          practicing law (post-bar).

 

One year of the required experience must have been managerial.

 

Substitutions:  An additional Masters Degree may substitute for one year of the experience.  A Ph.D. may substitute for two years of the experience.

 

HOLOCAUST CLAIMS PROGRAM MANAGER

 

A Juris Doctor or Masters Degree and seven years of experience in one or a combination of the following:

 

-          researching and evaluating data related to the Holocaust and Nazi Germany; or

 

-          pursuing clients claims for return of assets from the Holocaust Era; or            

 

-          coordinating or managing a program that involves the collection and evaluation of data; or

 

-          practicing law (post-bar).

 

Two years of the required experience must have been managerial.

 

Substitutions:  An additional Masters Degree may substitute for one year of the experience.  A Ph.D. may substitute for two years of the experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  6/05

 

 

 

NOTE:   Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibility of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of 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.