Career Opportunities

Position #:
051-550-5393-904

Salary Range:
$ 5,684 - $ 7,114

Issue Date:
4/23/2024

Contact:
Elisa Wong (916) 464-6055

Location:
Unclaimed Property Division
10600 White Rock Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Final Filing Date:
May 7, 2024

Looking for a job that you can feel passionate about?  Looking for work in an inviting work environment?  If you are interested in working in a fast-paced environment surrounded by enthusiastic and self-motivated people, then look no further!  The Office of the State Controller (SCO) is the destination Constitutional employer within the State of California. 

**Free Parking**

The following link outlines a summary of benefits available to state employees: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified will be interviewed. Application must include “to” and “from” employment dates (m/d/y), hours per week, and prior employer contact information including contact number.  Applications received without this information may not be considered for this position.

The selected candidate considered for the advertised position will be required to undergo a fingerprint clearance and any offer of employment will be contingent upon live scan fingerprint results. 

The selected candidate will be required to adhere to current SCO Nepotism requirements.

Special Instructions: Please include a cover letter. The cover letter must include a salutation to the appropriate person/dept, consist of three paragraphs, and a sign off. The candidate should include how their previous experience has prepared him/her for a position in the Property Owner Advocate Unit.  

Applicants with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations, such as
a Sign Language interpreter, a reader, or assistance attending an interview
please call (916) 323-8579. 

This position may be extended or become permanent.

Scope of Position:
The mission of the Property Owner Advocate (POA) is to assist individuals, businesses, and local government who have been unable to resolve their unclaimed property issue in a timely manner.  The Advocate works with the constituents to use all administrative remedies available to resolve all inquiries received.
Under direction provided by the POA Staff Services Manager I for the Unclaimed Property Division (UPD), the Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) performs complex technical analytical assignments related to program evaluation and planning of the POA Unit.  The AGPA continually provides consultative services to management and staff, and works with the public in the role of a Claimant Advocate ensuring claimants receive timely, professional assistance in bringing difficult, complex claim issues to an accurate and fair resolution.  The AGPA serves as the subject-matter expert who has demonstrated possession of intellectual abilities to succeed in a variety of general staff services settings.  The AGPA also processes unclaimed property accounts by verifying pertinent claimant information, and works in accordance with the Unclaimed Property Law, Government Code, Probate Code, Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedures, the California Code of Regulations, and UPD Policies.  Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Duties and Responsibilities:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Analyze and evaluate complex Deceased Owner claims submitted by claimants which requires an understanding and interpretation of Wills, Trusts, and the Probate process. 
• Analyze Wills, Trusts, Tables of Heirship, and Final Decrees of Distribution, Letters of Administration, and Letters of Testamentary, submitted with the claim package as evidence in proving entitlement to unclaimed property. Ensure appropriate distribution of property to owners and approve or deny claims for payment following all applicable laws and rules governing the program.
• Analyze and evaluate complex Business claims submitted by claimants which requires an understanding and knowledge of Corporate Actions such as Mergers, Bankruptcies, Dissolutions, Forfeitures, Suspensions, Sales/Purchases, and Subsidiary relationships.  
• Analyze and interpret Articles of Incorporation/Dissolution, Merger Agreements, Partnership Agreements, Bankruptcy Filings, and Declarations of Loss submitted with the claim package as evidence in proving entitled to unclaimed property.  Ensure appropriate distribution of property to owners and approve or prepare a legal referral for claims that cannot be paid following all applicable laws and rules governing the program.
• Analyze and evaluate Owner claims submitted by claimants.  Ensure evidence submitted with the claim package proves entitlement to unclaimed property. Ensure appropriate distribution of property to owners and approve or deny claims for payment following all applicable laws and rules governing the program.
• Analyze and evaluate Holder Claims for Reimbursement, County Probated Estate Funds, and Investigator claims.  Provide program information and/or direction to claimants, Holders or Investigators via phone calls, emails, or written correspondence.  Contact holders to verify account information received to ensure accurate review of all claims (request for signature cards, etc.).
• Provide assistance at the UPD’s Reception public counter as required for claimants that come to the UPD requesting assistance in filing a claim, requesting an update on a claim filed, or other issues related to unclaimed property.
• Use the following tools as required while reviewing claims:  Accurint, DMV, PS1, Fraud, SOS, Barcode research, Clear, LAN Accountability, Main Frame, Ancestry, Foreign Claims research.
• Provide sensitive and detailed program information and/or direction to the general public to assist them in properly completing claim forms and submitting accurate documentation.  Provide customer service to the public by answering questions and returning telephone and email messages regarding the program and claims process.  
• Work with claimants or their representatives, public administrators, and businesses to resolve difficult claim issues.  Prepare a legal referral memo for those claims that require an appeal and track the memo to ensure timely handling and response provided by the State Controller’s Office’s (SCO) Legal Office.
• Resolve issues involving duplicate payments, redeposits, and Foreign and Replacement payments involving requesting a Demand Warrant or a wire transfer with the State Treasurer’s Office (STO).
• Research and analyze the most sensitive and complex inquiries received from the UPD, SCO Executive Office, SCO Legal Office, and other outside organizations such as Legislative Offices, other state agencies, the media, and Holders while providing excellent customer service.  Provide detailed updates to the POA and other sources and update the POA Access database with findings and recommendations.
• Research and analyze current processing policies and procedures and make recommendations to management for process changes. Work closely with management and analysts to formulate, draft, and finalize processing policies and procedures for distribution to staff, which includes making recommended change for updating the SCO website and writing scripts for webinars.
• Respond to inquiries received regarding Pre-Escheat Notices and I Status Properties from potential claimants trying to claim their property before it is reported as unclaimed property.
• Act as back up to the Unit Manager in the POA’s absence.  Review all incoming inquiries, make work assignments, ensuring timely follow-up is made by staff, review and approve all outgoing correspondence and referrals to SCO Legal, review approved claims and forward the claim to the QAR Settlement pay desk for settlement, or to the next approval level if additional approvals are required, provide approvals for requests for manual payments, provide feedback to staff on how to handle inquiries received.
• Provide inventory, time, and production data to management on a daily and weekly basis.

Required Hours: 

• Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Demonstrate a high degree of initiative and analytical ability.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team. 
• Ability to deal with multiple tasks, changing priorities and coordinate concurrent assignments efficiently and independently.
• Ability to provide customer service utilizing effective and professional communication.
• Must be dependable, punctual, and flexible to work under demanding conditions.
• Proficient typing and word processing.  Strong experience with MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Access), with moderate to advanced experience in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure.