Unclaimed Property Specialist I
State of South Dakota, Pierre, SD, United States
Position Summary
The Program Specialist I serves as a core Claims Examiner for the Unclaimed Property Division. This position is responsible for the technical adjudication of standard and moderately complex claims. The Specialist I must interpret and apply the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (RUUPA) and South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 43‑41B to determine the validity of ownership and legal entitlement to escheated property.
Duties of This Position
Independently review and adjudicate claims for cash, securities, and tangible property, ensuring all "Proof of Entitlement" meets statutory and division standards.
Conduct forensic research using internal databases, public records, and third‑party skip‑tracing tools to verify identities and link claimants to property records.
Approve or deny claims within designated monetary authority levels; prepare detailed "Request for More Information" (RFMI) notices for deficient filings.
Interpret complex legal documents including wills, trusts, probate court orders, powers of attorney, and corporate merger/acquisition records.
Ensure all payments comply with state "Set‑Off" requirements (e.g., checking for outstanding recoveries debt).
Maintain a rigorous audit trail for every claim processed to ensure readiness for internal or external performance audits.
Provide technical guidance to claimants and legal professionals regarding the requirements for complex claims.
Manage the "Reconsideration" process for denied claims, explaining statutory bars to payment while maintaining professional diplomatic relations with the public.
Identify trends in claim types and suggest workflow improvements to the Deputy Administrator to reduce processing latency.
Perform quality control checks on data entered by the Program Assistant to ensure the integrity of the Unclaimed Property database.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s or associate degree in a related field OR 4 years specialized experience (insurance, banking, legal).
Two to four years of experience in claims processing, banking compliance, paralegal work, or investigative auditing.
Must pass a comprehensive background check.
A combination of relevant education and experience may substitute for the degree requirement at the division’s discretion.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrated ability to read, understand, and apply complex state laws and administrative rules.
Skill in "connecting the dots" between historical property records and modern claimant documentation.
Familiarity with banking, insurance, probate terminology and documentation.
Absolute commitment to protecting personally identifiable information (PII) and preventing fraudulent claims.
Benefits
The State of South Dakota offers a $0 premium employee health insurance option, eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Veterans’ Preference
This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected characteristic.
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The Program Specialist I serves as a core Claims Examiner for the Unclaimed Property Division. This position is responsible for the technical adjudication of standard and moderately complex claims. The Specialist I must interpret and apply the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (RUUPA) and South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 43‑41B to determine the validity of ownership and legal entitlement to escheated property.
Duties of This Position
Independently review and adjudicate claims for cash, securities, and tangible property, ensuring all "Proof of Entitlement" meets statutory and division standards.
Conduct forensic research using internal databases, public records, and third‑party skip‑tracing tools to verify identities and link claimants to property records.
Approve or deny claims within designated monetary authority levels; prepare detailed "Request for More Information" (RFMI) notices for deficient filings.
Interpret complex legal documents including wills, trusts, probate court orders, powers of attorney, and corporate merger/acquisition records.
Ensure all payments comply with state "Set‑Off" requirements (e.g., checking for outstanding recoveries debt).
Maintain a rigorous audit trail for every claim processed to ensure readiness for internal or external performance audits.
Provide technical guidance to claimants and legal professionals regarding the requirements for complex claims.
Manage the "Reconsideration" process for denied claims, explaining statutory bars to payment while maintaining professional diplomatic relations with the public.
Identify trends in claim types and suggest workflow improvements to the Deputy Administrator to reduce processing latency.
Perform quality control checks on data entered by the Program Assistant to ensure the integrity of the Unclaimed Property database.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s or associate degree in a related field OR 4 years specialized experience (insurance, banking, legal).
Two to four years of experience in claims processing, banking compliance, paralegal work, or investigative auditing.
Must pass a comprehensive background check.
A combination of relevant education and experience may substitute for the degree requirement at the division’s discretion.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrated ability to read, understand, and apply complex state laws and administrative rules.
Skill in "connecting the dots" between historical property records and modern claimant documentation.
Familiarity with banking, insurance, probate terminology and documentation.
Absolute commitment to protecting personally identifiable information (PII) and preventing fraudulent claims.
Benefits
The State of South Dakota offers a $0 premium employee health insurance option, eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Veterans’ Preference
This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected characteristic.
#J-18808-Ljbffr