Insurance Specialist 1/2 Flex (PCN 084005)

About the Department

The Division of Insurance is recruiting for an Insurance Specialist 1/2 flex position located in Anchorage!

What you will be doing:
This position requires thorough understanding and review of insurance policies, rates and rules. Reading proficiency, attention to detail, time management, organization, and critical thinking skills are essential for success in this position. Reading and review of insurance forms, rules, and rates account for 80% of this position's work load. There is extensive one-on-one training for the first two years in this position. This position requires the selected candidate to obtain IRES AIE designation within two years and six months of hire. Continuing professional education in the insurance industry is required yearly to maintain the AIE designation. 

This position is flexibly staffed within the Property and Casualty (P&C) section and covers two levels of duties. The Insurance Specialist 1/2 position conducts professional research, analysis and evaluation of factors affecting the sale and marketing of insurance, including monitoring the conduct of persons and organizations involved in the insurance industry for compliance with Alaska laws, and recommending or initiating appropriate corrective or preventative regulatory action; and reviewing and approving or disapproving rates, rating systems and policy forms used or proposed for use in Alaska by insurers. 

Our organization, mission and culture:   
The mission of the Division of Insurance is to regulate the insurance industry to protect Alaskan consumers. The Division of Insurance is a small division that consists of 48 positions split between our Anchorage and Juneau offices with the Director based in Anchorage, and the Deputy Director based in Juneau. The P&C section (in Anchorage) within the division fosters an environment for professional development through hands-on training and self-directed learning. We encourage staff seek new skills that will benefit them professionally as well as the Division.

The benefits of joining our team: 
The Division of Insurance consists of highly motivated individuals, who believe in the power and importance of teamwork. We strive to make everyone feel welcomed and appreciated. We are a division that celebrates note-worthy events as a team. The division's P&C section provides an environment where staff work independently and as a team to achieve goals. The division encourages advancement within the division, department, and the State of Alaska.

The working environment you can expect:   
Located on the 15th floor of the Atwood Building, you will enjoy a panoramic view of downtown Anchorage, Mt. Susitna aka Sleeping Lady, and the Knik Arm. Great dining, shopping, the Park Strip, Anchorage Museum and Atwood Concert Hall are all within short walking distance from the office. Covered parking at the Linny Pacillo parking garage is provided free. 

When you come to work, you will be walking into a calm and respectful work environment where everyone knows your name.

Who we are looking for: 

• Insurance: Knowledge of various types of insurance, insurance regulations, claims processing, examination, adjudication, or adjustment. 
• Organizational Awareness: Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
• Reading: Understands and interprets written material, including technical materials, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.
• Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions
• Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Special Notice:
This position requires the selected candidate to obtain IRES AIE designation within two years and six months of hire. AIE designation, materials, and exams are eligible for reimbursement upon receipt of a passing grade.

Position Duties

Insurance Specialist 1 Minimum Qualifications:
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Accounting: Knowledge of traditional accounting practices including accrual, obligations, and costs methods.

• Insurance: Knowledge of various types of insurance, insurance regulations, claims processing, examination, adjudication, or adjustment.

• Learning: Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; uses training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development.

• Mathematical Reasoning: Solves practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques.

• Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:
Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or experience in mathematics, statistics, accounting, finance, business administration, economics, actuarial science, risk management or insurance-specific planning or consultation, insurance rate forms filings analysis or development, underwriting, and/or reviewing and processing insurance claims or applications.  

Designation as an Associate, or higher, by the Society of Actuaries, Casualty Actuarial Society, or Conference of Consulting Actuaries is considered qualifying experience.

Special Note:
“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

Important note if the position you are applying for is an Insurance Specialist 1/2 flex position: An Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society (IRES) Accredited Insurance Examiner (AIE) designation is required by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Market Regulation Handbook, which is the recognized guide for conducting market regulation as defined under AS 21.06.140(f). Continued employment at the Insurance Specialist 2 level is contingent upon obtaining designation as an AIE within two years, six months of the appointment at the Insurance Specialist 2 level.

Insurance Specialist 2 Minimum Qualifications:

Successful completion of a formal training plan as an Insurance Specialist 1 with the State of Alaska
OR
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Insurance: Knowledge of various types of insurance, insurance regulations, claims processing, examination, adjudication, or adjustment.

• Mathematical Reasoning: Solves practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques.

• Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

• Research: Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.

• Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

• Writing: Uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a concise and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:
Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or progressively responsible experience in mathematics, statistics, accounting, finance, business administration, economics, actuarial science, risk management or insurance-specific planning or consultation, insurance rate forms filings analysis or development, underwriting, and/or reviewing and processing insurance claims.    

Designation as an Associate, or higher, by the Society of Actuaries, Casualty Actuarial Society, or Conference of Consulting Actuaries is considered qualifying experience.

Special Note:
“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

“Progressively responsible” means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.

An Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society (IRES) Accredited Insurance Examiner (AIE) designation is required by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Market Regulation Handbook, which is the recognized guide for conducting market regulation as defined under  AS 21.06.140(f). Continued employment at the Insurance Specialist 2 level is contingent upon obtaining designation as an AIE within two years, six months of the appointment.

Minimum Qualifications

At time of application applicant(s) are requested to submit:

1. A copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are okay, please ensure that the institution name/URL is listed on the transcripts) if using to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.
2. Three (3) professional references.
3. Three (3) most recent evaluations.

IRES AIE DESIGNATION
This position requires the selected candidate to obtain IRES AIE designation within two years and six months of hire. AIE designation, materials, and exams are eligible for reimbursement upon receipt of a passing grade

FLEXIBLY STAFFED

This position is flexibly staffed. This vacancy may be filled at either the Insurance Specialist 1 or Insurance Specialist 2 level, depending on the applicant's training and/or experience. The full range of salaries is listed above. Starting salary will be determined by the level the position is hired at. If filled at level of Insurance Specialist 1, promotion to level of Insurance Specialist 2 will occur upon successful completion of the probationary period and required training, as well as the applicant meeting the minimum qualifications of the higher job class.

EDUCATION 
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview.

WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

NOTICE
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465- 4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the 'govermentjobs.com' domains. For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword. 

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P. O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.   

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to [email protected].
 
For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

Other Qualifications

Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State:   See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts.  Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note:  The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year

Agency Information

EmployerState of AlaskaAddress PO Box 110201

Juneau, Alaska, 99811 Phone(800) 587-0430 (Statewide toll-free number)
(907) 465-4095 (Juneau and out-of-state callers)Website http://workplace.alaska.gov/