Carrie Craig

Under the direction of a Workers´ Compensation Officer II, I determine the need for and conducts formal prehearing conferences with claimants, employers, insurers, attorneys and other interested parties to try and resolve issues. If issues remain in dispute, then advises the parties of their options and obligations, insures that the record is complete and prepares the case to go to a formal hearing before a hearing officer. Prepares a prehearing summary of prior claim proceedings for the adjudication process.

Provides workers injured on the job with immediate guidance and information about and interpretation of the Alaska Workers´ Compensation Act and regulations, including, but not limited to, benefits, rights, responsibilities and steps to prepare for an informal prehearing conference and formal hearings before the Workers´ Compensation ﴾WC﴿ Board. Information is provided either by telephone, in person or through written correspondence. Also provides guidance and direction between parties ﴾employees, employers, attorneys, medical providers or other interested parties﴿ to identify issues, defenses and possible resolutions to workers´ compensation issues and disputes. Following the initial meeting, may assist injured workers by explaining procedures and regulation requirements, and advise the employee to get legal assistance as their claim progresses.

Examines claims, petitions, requests for conferences, affidavit of readiness for hearings and SIME request forms to determine compliance with statutory requirements, advises parties of the issues and their rights and obligations under the Act and makes inquiries and develops facts bearing on disputed issues.

Review Compromise & Release ﴾C&Rs﴿ for case accuracy and to determine if they are waiving future medical benefits. If not, drafts an approval letter for a technician to serve. If the C&R does waive future medical benefits, reassigns the C&R to a Hearing Officer for review.

Assist the technicians and office assistant with coverage of front desk duties, telephones and walk ins with the public.

In addition to the normal duties of a Workers' Compensation Officer I, I trained with the former Second Independent Medical Exam Coordinator (SIME), whose duties include communicating in writing and by telephone with SIME physicians and office staff regarding the coordination of scheduling SIME appointments, reviewing and receiving additional records or diagnostic procedures to be communicated to the parties, billing problems and clarification of physician findings. Additionally review the physician´s SIME report, inputs receipt of report in database, notes receipt in SIME log, and sends copies to parties if not sent by physician. In 2025, I was responsible for presenting the SIME yearly report to the board members and update the SIME Physician´s list and Bulletin based on the WCB meetings, due by 11/1 each year.

• Analyzing new, transfer and renewal alcohol license applications for completeness and accuracy against statutory and regulatory requirements to determine compliance; successfully interpreting and communicating Title 4 of Alaska Statute and the corresponding Title 3 of the Alaska Administrative Code; assisting with the training of new OLE and administrative staff; updating, organizing, and maintaining license files, complex databases and spreadsheets; drafting, sending receiving and logging written and oral correspondence to and from local governments, other government agencies, attorneys, licensees and member of the public; receipting check and credit card payments; and assisting the current Records and Licensing Supervisor with preparation of board meeting materials.

• Supervising a team of 5 to 7 employees, analyzing and transcribing data for weekly reporting, accurately processing title and registration requests in a timely manner, writing and editing professional correspondence to customers and businesses, responsible for ordering and the distribution of personalized and amateur radio license plates and de-escalating irate and verbally abusive customers in person and on the telephone, assisting the Office Manager I and II.

• Assisted clients with day to day management of rental properties, processed applications including civil/criminal, sex offender and credit background checks; Conducted interviews with potential applicants; Determined income eligibility for different income limits as set by the regulatory agreements; Prepared for audits by reviewing the tenant files and ensuring all eligibility requirements were met and researched issues for audit responses.

• Processed applications for assigned properties including civil/criminal, sex offender and credit background checks; Conducted interviews with potential applicants; Determined income eligibility for different income limits as set by the regulatory agreements for each property; Maintained compliance; Developed, maintained, and implemented waiting lists for all properties with multiple funding; Assisted the Compliance Manager in preparing for audits by reviewing the tenant files and ensuring all eligibility requirements were met and researched issues for audit responses.

• Maintained compliance for approximately 1000 affordable units with multiple funding (e.g. Tax Credit, Tax Exempt Bond, Federal Home Loan Bank, HOME, AHFC Section 8 based); Processed all applications for rental housing including civil/criminal, sex offender and credit background checks; Determined income eligibility for different income limits as set by the regulatory agreements for each property; Processed recertification's for tax credit properties in a timely manner; Assisted the Compliance Manager in preparing for audits by reviewing the tenant files and ensuring all eligibility requirements were met and writing audit responses in regards to any findings; Created an Application Manual for Resident Managers and assisted in writing the Policies and Procedure Manual; Trained new Resident Managers in the application process and provided any support needed in the Housing Department.