Job Description
Job ID: 35654 Unclaimed Property Specialist I
Agency: Office of the State Treasurer / Division of Unclaimed Property
Location: Pierre
Salary/Grade: $26.44 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications, minimal travel required
Pay Grade EH99
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Send Cover letter and resume to State Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, 500 E Capitol Ave, Ste 212, Pierre, SD 57501
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.
The duties of this position include: - Independently reviews and adjudicates claims for cash, securities, and tangible property, ensuring all "Proof of Entitlement" meets statutory and division standards.
- Conducts forensic research using internal databases, public records, and third-party skip-tracing tools to verify identities and link claimants to property records.
- Approves or denies claims within designated monetary authority levels; prepares detailed "Request for More Information" (RFMI) notices for deficient filings.
- Interprets complex legal documents including Wills, Trusts, Probate Court Orders, Power of Attorney filings, and Corporate Merger/Acquisition records.
- Ensures all payments comply with state "Set-Off" requirements (e.g., checking for outstanding recoveries debt).
- Maintains a rigorous audit trail for every claim processed to ensure readiness for internal or external performance audits.
- Provides technical guidance to claimants and legal professionals regarding the requirements for complex claims.
- Manages the "Reconsideration" process for denied claims, explaining statutory bars to payment while maintaining professional diplomatic relations with the public.
- Identifies trends in claim types and suggests workflow improvements to the Deputy Administrator to reduce processing latency.
- Performs quality control (QC) checks on data entered by the Program Assistant to ensure the integrity of the Unclaimed Property database.
The successful candidate must possess the following: - Bachelor's or associate degree in a related field OR 4 years specialized experience (Insurance/Banking/Legal).
- Two (2) to four (4) years of experience in claims processing, banking compliance, paralegal work, or investigative auditing.
- A combination of relevant education and experience may substitute for the degree requirement at the division's discretion.
- Must pass a comprehensive background check.
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 PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and preventing fraudulent claims.
Pierre-Based/Preferred with Hybrid Flexibility Considered
This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Applications (consisting of a letter of interest and resume) must be submitted online at ( https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3VS ) or sent via hard copy or email to:
South Dakota State Treasurer
Attn: Mitch Krebs Deputy Treasurer
500 East Capitol Avenue Ste. 212, Pierre, SD 57501
E-Mail: Mitch.krebs@state.sd.us | Phone: 605.773.3378|
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"