Assistant Division Chief, Property Damage Claims Division

The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.

Authorized by the New York City Charter, the Comptroller, through the Bureau of Law and Adjustment (BLA), negotiates and approves all monetary settlement of claims and lawsuits involving the City of New York. BLA investigates and, when in the best interest of the city, settles pre-litigation claims for and against the City of New York. In resolving claims before litigation is commenced, BLA protects the fiscal interest of the City while ensuring that pre-litigation claims are resolved in a fair and just manner, and in accordance with applicable laws. BLA furthers this goal in its review, evaluation, and authorization of requests to settle litigated cases involving the City and through diligent administration of disputes arising out of City contracts. BLA manages City risk by holding agencies accountable, rooting out fraud, and identifying trends, as well as, coordinating with the Law Department and other City agencies on issues that impact the public fiscal and public safety.

The Bureau of Law & Adjustment is responsible for investigating and adjusting claims filed for and against the City of New York. The Property Damage Division investigates and resolves pre-litigation property damage claims, and also works closely with the New York City Law Department to resolve claims in litigation. Claims can arise from singular incidents or may involve catastrophic events affecting many claimants.

Under the direction of the Division Chief of Property Damage, responsibilities of the Assistant Division Chief include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assisting the Division Chief in managing and directing all functions of the Property Damage Division, including overseeing the day-to-day operations, and in the Division Chief’s absence, performing the Division Chief’s duties;
• Managing and supervising the Property Damage Division staff, to ensure work is performed in accordance with the highest professional standards and in compliance with Bureau procedure and applicable statutes and laws;
• Providing direction and monitoring the productivity of the Division to ensure efficient and effective resolution of claims;
• Reviewing files submitted by staff for settlement or disallowance, including a complete review of investigative reports, agency reports and all other supporting documentation;
• Delegating within independent authority and with discretion, appropriate monetary settlement authority to staff;
• Interacting, within prescribed limits, to approve/disapprove recommendations made by the Law Department and other City Agencies and Departments;
• Preparing employee performance evaluations and reporting and documenting instances of employee misconduct/misbehavior or performance issues, as necessary;
• Recommending, designing and implementing new procedures for the effective and efficient resolution of Division processes;
• Acting as the point of contact for Property Damage claims, processes, and policies;
• Communicating effectively and professionally with the staff of elected officials, agency personnel, attorneys, the public, and other stakeholders, as well as working closely with the Comptroller’s Engineering and Audit staff, the Bureau of Fiscal Services, the Central Imaging Facility, etc.; and
• Performing related assignments as may be required, including organizing and managing special projects when needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of full-time experience investigating and settling liability claims, 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity or supervising a staff performing the investigation and settlement of liability claims or related work;
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have the 18 months of experience in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of the claims process, including the investigation, adjustment and disposition of claims.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated experience preparing clear, concise, and accurate analytical reports, including the provision of recommendations for review, creation, and modification of policies and procedures.
• Attention to detail, exceptional written and verbal skills, and the ability to perform multiple tasks requiring prioritization.
• An understanding of the process/relationship between the NYC Comptroller’s Office and the Law Department with respect to lawsuit dispositions.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational skills (including Microsoft Office Suite proficiency) and ability to interact with all levels of management.

Residency Requirement

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.