Unemployment Insurance Specialist

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.

• Examine and resolve the most complex Unemployment Insurance (UI) accounts, cases and applications.
• Serve as a technical resource by providing policy guidance and operating-system support to central and field office staff.
• Act as a lead worker by assisting in training and mentoring lower-level examiners.
• Handle the most difficult inquiries from the public, employers, legislators, and other stakeholders.
• Analyze case facts, assess credibility, and apply relevant laws, rules, and policies to adjudicate claims and issue decisions.
• Conduct comprehensive case reviews requiring independent judgment and full-cycle technical work from initial evaluation through resolution.
• Perform fact-finding to determine whether additional information is needed for initial or redetermination claim examinations.
• Gather information through interviews or written correspondence and clarify conflicting or ambiguous details.
• Identify potential fraud during interviews and refer cases to fraud specialists or auditors as appropriate.
• Research and verify information using multiple databases and evaluate evidence to determine benefit eligibility.
• Issue administrative appeal decisions and represent the Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations (OUIO) through written and verbal communication.
• Participate in meetings with internal and external partners as needed.
• Respond to inquiries from claimants, employers and other interested parties via phone, email, mail and other communication methods.
• Explain claim status, program requirements, and unemployment processes clearly and accurately.
• Resolve complex multi-faceted claim issues in collaboration with relevant parties.
• Monitor and manage voicemail and email accounts to ensure timely responses.
• Provide training sessions, presentations, and support for program operations.
• Participate in Rapid Response sessions and other outreach activities.
• Perform related tasks, including attending training and meetings as required.
• Use computer systems to prepare correspondence, reports, and other documentation.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and files.

• Experience evaluating program eligibility and supporting organizational communication and development.
• Core competencies include decision-making, analysis, communication, and training support.
• Ensuring compliance with state and federal program guidelines.
• Analytical thinking.
• Attention to detail.
• Consistency in applying policy.
• Confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to prioritize cases and manage workload volume.

Full time

Standard workdays are Monday through Friday. Hours are between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

This position will be headquartered in an ODJFS Facility in one of the following cities – Columbus, Akron, or Dayton – based on proximity to the applicant's home address.

Rhodes State Officer Tower – 30

E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215

Akron – 172 S. Broadway Street, Akron, OH 44308

Dayton – 6680 Poe Avenue, Dayton, OH 45414

Required as needed. Must provide own transportation or have a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle.

• 24 months experience as Unemployment Insurance Examiner.

• 24 months experience interpreting, applying, and making decisions for program eligibility and/or liability (e.g., unemployment insurance, workers compensation, income tax, debt collection).
• 6 months training or experience developing correspondence.
• 12 months training or experience in customer contact (telephone, face-to-face, or electronic communication) for problem solving.
• 6 months training or experience operating a personal computer.

• Completion of undergraduate coursework in business administration, public administration, human services, or social sciences.
• 6 months training or experience developing correspondence.
• 12 months training or experience in customer contact (telephone, face-to-face, or electronic communication) for problem solving.
• 6 months training or experience operating a personal computer.

• Equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.

Customer Service

Pay Range 30 – Step 1: $26.54 per hour; $55,203 annually (0 months of employment). Step 2: $27.56 per hour; $57,325 annually (6 months). Step 3: $28.76 per hour; $59,821 annually (18 months). Step 4: $30.10 per hour; $62,608 annually (30 months). Step 5: $31.47 per hour; $65,458 annually (42 months). Step 6: $32.84 per hour; $68,307 annually (54 months). Step 7: $34.53 per hour;

$71,822 annually (66 months).