This position is for internal candidates only. Due to the Active Civil Service List, you must be permanent in the civil service title of Claim Specialist. The work location is 260 E 161st Street, Bronx, NY. Work hours are 35 hours per week.


The NYC Law Department is currently seeking a qualified person for the position of Claim Specialist, Level 3 in its Tort Division. This position encompasses responsible work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility performed under supervision of higher level staff and/or attorneys.

Under supervision, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, performs sophisticated legal tasks including, but not limited to the application of significant legal judgment as well as the ability to instruct legal principles to others under their supervision:

Investigates, abstracts, negotiates, and adjusts personal injury, property damage, and no-fault claims and cases.

Negotiates payment of judgments.

Supervises and prepares settlement calendars.

Conducts file reviews with staff members and provides guidance regarding the proper handling of cases.

Formulates legal strategy by initially determining whether other parties will be implead, whether settlement efforts will be pursued, or whether a motion will be made.

Advises staff members in such matters as how to draft legal documents and which documents to exchange in discovery.

Monitors assignments.

Prepares legal documents such as Answers, Responses to Discovery & Inspection demands, Responses to Notices to Admit, and Motions to Dismiss.

Prepares letters and memoranda for insurance takeovers.

Drafts letters to attorneys representing the City and to City agencies.

Review claims with an eye toward raising appropriate defenses in a wide array of tort claims including defamation and Civil Rights claims.

Evaluates the obligation to defend various agencies and entities, and is in constant communication with attorneys concerning the City’s obligation to respond to claims.

Supervises investigatory efforts concerning the validity of plaintiff’s claims regarding municipal ownership of real property, vehicles and the employment of staff.

Calculates the statutory framework governing the service and preparation of complaints and answers.

Interviews, supervises, and trains staff.

Approves timesheets, leave requests, and usage of leave requests.

Performs Law Manager inquiries and data entry as well as photocopying.

Reviews mail and handle as necessary.

Some of the physical activities performed and environmental conditions experienced include lifting and carrying boxes and files; climbing stairs; and traveling throughout the City on all types of public transportation, and/or walking in all kinds of weather, often carrying files.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or

2. An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university and two years of full-time satisfactory experience investigating and/or settling claims for personal injury or property damage or loss; or

3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and four years of full-time satisfactory
experience investigating and/or settling claims for personal injury or property damage or loss; or

4. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to “1”, “2” or “3” above.

College education may be substituted for experience as described in “2” or “3” above on the basis that 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of
required experience. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its
educational equivalent.

Preferred candidates will have an educational background in U.S. Law, U.S. Legal Studies, U.S. Paralegal Studies, U.S. Political Science, and/or experience in paralegal (legal assistant) services involving the American legal system. Preferred candidates will also have excellent interpersonal, and communication (oral and written) skills. Very good organizational and computer skills (good working knowledge of the MS Office Suite: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word). Proficiency in LexisNexis, Lexis Advance, Adobe Acrobat, and Court-related sites is a plus. Candidates should be able to use discretion when handling sensitive, confidential documents and information and have the ability to work independently as well as a part of a team.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.