Claims Specialist (EAP)

Description

COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION CLAIMS & SUBROGATION SPECIALIST

Department: Corporate
Division: Safety – Claims
Location: Corporate Office - Cerritos, CA
Classification: Full-Time, Nonexempt, Onsite
Schedule: Monday to Friday - 0800-1630
Pay Range: $25.00 - $33.00 / hour

Reports To

Claims Manager

Position Summary

Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. is seeking an experienced, bilingual Commercial Transportation Claims & Subrogation Specialist to administer commercial automobile, trucking, transportation, and property damage claims across the company's affiliated entities.

This position is responsible for managing claims from initial reporting through investigation, resolution, and closure, with a strong emphasis on identifying third-party liability, pursuing subrogation recoveries, negotiating settlements within delegated authority, and minimizing financial exposure.

The ideal candidate possesses direct commercial liability claims experience, demonstrated success in subrogation recovery, strong investigative and negotiation skills, and the ability to independently manage complex claims while coordinating with insurance carriers, attorneys, drivers, and internal operational teams.

Responsibilities

Claims Administration & Investigation

• Manage commercial automobile, trucking, transportation, and property damage claims from initial intake through investigation, resolution, and closure.
• Investigate accidents and incidents by reviewing police reports, driver statements, witness accounts, photographs, repair estimates, and supporting documentation.
• Evaluate liability, comparative negligence, damages, and potential recovery opportunities.
• Maintain accurate claims records, supporting documentation, correspondence, and follow-up schedules.
• Monitor claim developments, outstanding documentation, and resolution deadlines.

Subrogation & Recovery

• Identify and pursue subrogation opportunities involving third-party negligence or responsibility.
• Prepare comprehensive subrogation demand packages supported by liability evidence, damage assessments, and applicable documentation.
• Communicate and negotiate with third-party insurance carriers, adjusters, and authorized representatives to maximize recoveries.
• Track outstanding demands, disputed claims, settlements, and recovery payments.
• Recommend appropriate recovery strategies, escalation, or resolution based on claim value, available evidence, and applicable requirements.

Stakeholder Coordination & Compliance

• Serve as a primary point of contact for insurance adjusters, carriers, attorneys, drivers, repair facilities, and internal fleet operations.
• Coordinate claims-related documentation and communications across affiliated business entities.
• Support claims audits, litigation-related documentation requests, and authorized settlement activities.
• Maintain compliance with applicable California insurance requirements, company procedures, confidentiality standards, and documentation protocols.
• Identify significant claims exposure, disputed liability, and matters requiring management or legal review.

Reporting & Operational Support

• Maintain electronic claims files, diary systems, recovery tracking, and accurate claim-status records.
• Prepare reports concerning claims activity, outstanding liabilities, subrogation recoveries, and settlement outcomes.
• Identify recurring claim trends and recommend improvements to claims handling, recovery procedures, and operational efficiency.
• Independently prioritize assigned claims and meet critical investigation, reporting, and recovery deadlines.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position's claims administration and subrogation responsibilities.

Requirements

Qualifications/Knowledge/Critical Skills

Required

• Minimum two years of direct, hands-on experience handling commercial liability insurance claims.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, pursuing, negotiating, and resolving subrogation claims.
• Professional fluency in English and Spanish, including the ability to communicate complex insurance and claims-related matters verbally and in writing.
• Strong knowledge of claims investigation, liability assessment, comparative negligence, and property damage evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare effective subrogation demand packages and negotiate claim settlements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, electronic claims management systems, and documentation tracking.
• Strong analytical, investigative, organizational, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage competing priorities, maintain confidentiality, and meet time-sensitive deadlines.

Preferred

• Direct experience handling commercial trucking, transportation, fleet, or commercial automobile liability claims.
• Familiarity with California commercial automobile insurance practices and bodily injury/physical damage claims.
• Experience coordinating with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, attorneys, and fleet operations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency and experience with electronic claims diary and recovery tracking systems.
• Relevant insurance, claims, risk management, or subrogation certifications.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Regularly sits, uses a computer and standard office equipment, and communicates verbally and in writing.
• Occasionally stands, walks, bends, reaches, and lifts or moves items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to review detailed electronic and printed information and perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Occasional local travel to company locations may be required.

Work Environment / Position Structure

• Full-time, nonexempt, onsite position based at the Corporate Office in Cerritos, California.
• Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 0800–1630.
• The regular schedule includes an unpaid, duty-free meal period and paid rest periods in accordance with applicable California wage-and-hour requirements.
• Additional hours, including overtime, may be required based on operational needs and will be compensated in accordance with applicable law.
• The position operates primarily in a professional corporate office environment.
• The employee is responsible for accurately recording all hours worked and complying with company timekeeping, meal-period, rest-period, and overtime procedures.
• Settlement negotiations, claim resolutions, and financial commitments must remain within established company authorization limits.

Compensation

The anticipated compensation range for the Commercial Transportation Claims & Subrogation Specialist position is $25.00–$33.00 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience, subject to final company approval. At a standard 40-hour workweek, this represents approximately $52,000–$68,640 annually, excluding overtime and other applicable compensation. Final compensation will be determined based on directly relevant claims experience, demonstrated subrogation recovery success, commercial transportation expertise, bilingual proficiency, and other lawful job-related considerations. This position is classified as nonexempt and is eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with applicable federal and California wage-and-hour laws. Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer matching, paid time off, and life insurance coverage, subject to applicable plan terms.

PLEASE NOTE: This job description is not exhaustive and is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

Ecology Auto Parts Inc. is committed to providing a workplace and culture of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. Should you have a disability or specific needs requiring accommodation, please inform us.

Thank you for your interest in opportunities with Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. We appreciate the enthusiasm and professionalism demonstrated by individuals seeking to join our team.

Please be advised that Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. does not engage with or entertain solicitations from third-party recruiting firms for our hiring needs. We have a dedicated internal recruitment team managing our talent acquisition process. We kindly request that third-party recruitment firms refrain from submitting candidates for our open positions. Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. will not consider or entertain candidates represented by headhunter agencies for our current requisitions. Our commitment to fair and equitable hiring practices includes working directly with candidates who apply through our official channels. We believe in fostering a transparent and direct relationship with potential team members.

We appreciate your understanding and compliance with this policy. If you are interested in joining Ecology Auto Parts, Inc., please visit our official careers page here: EAP, Inc. | Career Center for a list of our current job opportunities and application instructions.

Acknowledgement

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

Candidate/Employee Name (Print): ________________________________________________________

Candidate/Employee Signature: ___________________________________________________________