Unemployment Insurance Examiner (Adjudication)

Who We Are

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Public service is an honorable way to serve the community in a hands-on dedicated way. You can make a difference in someone’s world!

Guiding Principles

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented, diverse, and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.

Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations

The Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations (OUIO) administers Ohio's unemployment insurance program, which provides short-term income to unemployed workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. It reduces the hardship felt by families during periods of temporary unemployment and bolsters the local economies by maintaining the purchasing power of the unemployed worker. Learn more about the office by visiting the ODJFS OUIO webpage at jfs.ohio.gov/ouc.

This position will be headquartered in an ODJFS facility at one of the following locations:

Columbus Akrondayton

The selected candidate will be assigned to the headquarter that is closest to where they live.

What You’Ll Do

• Build and maintain professional relationships with claimants, employers, and other adjudicators.
• Record and convey action taken on a claim to determine claim status.
• Input and make corrections to unemployment claim information.
• Use unemployment systems and software.
• Follow Federal, State, and ODJFS rules and regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Complete initial and ongoing training as required.
• Perform fact-finding and investigate claims issues.
• Determine appropriate action needed for claim resolution.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Engage with claimants and other stakeholders through in-person interactions to provide assistance, answer questions, and resolve claims issues.

Actual responsibilities will vary depending on daily needs and type of customer supported.

       We are looking for people with these skills and abilities:

• Basic mathematical skills (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Solid ability to interact with people at all levels within and outside the organization.
• Ability to complete documentation requirements.
• Ability to use analytical thinking; find facts and solve problems.
• Ability to remain self-motivated and efficient.
• Ability to work both in and outside an office setting.
• Ability to work well both independently and within a team environment.
• Ability to remain focused on exceptional customer service.
• Ability to analyze complex problems.
• Adept at applying policy and procedures to a particular set of facts.
• Skill in organizing work.
• Capable of working under pressure and within tight deadlines.
• Willingness to take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
• Strong time management skills.

Schedule: Fulltime

• Hours: Standard workdays are Monday through Friday. Hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• Travel: Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.
• PN(s): Multiple

Please Read The Following Information:

• The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with a 1 hour lunch. During the initial one-year period, the schedule is not negotiable. 
• Training will be virtual through Microsoft TEAMS
• You must provide your own internet access. A minimum internet connection speed of 20Mbps download and 2Mbps upload is required. Satellite internet is not accepted.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

The ideal candidate, at minimum, must have the following: 

Option 1:

12 mos. exp. in interpreting, applying, & making decisions for program eligibility &/or liability (e.g., unemployment insurance, workers compensation, income tax, debt collection) & 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in operation of personal computer & 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in customer contact (i.e., telephone, face-to-face, &/or electronic communication) for purposes of problem solving.

Option 2

4 courses in business administration, public administration, human services, or social sciences & 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp in operation of personal computer & 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. in customer contact (i.e., telephone, face-to-face, &/or electronic communication) for purposes of problem solving.

Option 3

• Equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.
• Job Skills: Customer Service
• Tips For Your Application

When completing the different sections of this application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this job posting. We cannot give you credit for your Work Experience and Education & Certifications if you do not provide that information in your online application. Information in attached resumes or cover letters must be entered into your application in the appropriate Work Experience or Education & Certification sections to be considered.

Pay Information

This position is in the State of Ohio’s OCSEA Pay Schedule, Pay Range 29. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $24.16 per hour). These ranges provide a standardized pathway for pay increases. With continued employment, new hires move to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Cost of Living Adjustments increase wages in these ranges each fiscal year. The current step progression wages are in the table below.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

$24.16

$24.86

$25.77

$26.76

$27.92

$29.22

$30.55

$50,253

$51,709

$53,602

$55,661

$58,074

$60,778

$63,544

At Hire

6 Months

18 Months

30 Months

42 Months

54 Months

66 Months

Ada Notice

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact ada_public@jfs.ohio.gov

Selection Priority Notice OCSEA

Current employees of ODJFS in the OCSEA union have selection rights before all other applicants. Applications from all other candidates will only be considered if an internal OCSEA applicant is not selected for this position.

Background Check Information

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Some positions may require drug testing and/or fingerprinting. Criminal convictions do not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.