RISK MANAGER

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, is responsible for the development, administration and coordination of a comprehensive risk management, workers' compensation and loss control program; and perform other duties as required.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Plan, organize, direct and participate in insurance and loss control programs in public liability, property risks, vehicular loss, workers' compensation, safety, catastrophe insurance and fidelity bonding;
• Provide for risk analysis, loss prevention, risk transfer and claims settlement services;
• Determine hazards, liability, loss prevention and workers' compensation exposures;
• Evaluate insurable risks and determine adequate insurance coverage's;
• Evaluate costs of alternative programs such as self-insurance and pooling with other agencies;
• Coordinate investigation, adjustment and settlement of claims where litigation is involved;
• Coordinate in-house management of public and employee exposures to determine appropriate risk coverage and loss control techniques;
• Supervise the review of contracts, leases, and purchase documents to reduce risk exposure through hold harmless provisions, bonding and insurance requirements;
• Write specifications for the purchase of insurance and negotiate contracts;
• Coordinate financial planning, budgeting and cost allocation for insurance programs;
• Establish appropriate reserves for incurred losses;
• Assist in the development of allocated insurance costs to programs and departments;
• Coordinate County occupational safety and health program activities;
• Coordinate workers' compensation program activities;
• Develop and maintain safety guidelines for operating departments and safety representatives;
• Provide periodic statistical, financial and other performance reports on County loss data to departments;
• Develop and update County personnel, risk management, occupational safety and health, and workers' compensation administrative policies and procedures;
• Select, train and evaluate subordinate staff;
• Prepare proposed budget for the unit.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

• The principles and practices of risk management, workers' compensation claims management, safety/loss prevention priorities, asset protection programs and contract administration.
• The principles and techniques of management, including program planning, organizing, directing and implementation

• The principles and practices of administrative survey and analysis.
• Claims adjusting, settlement methods and subrogation procedures.
• The principles and practices of supervision and training.

• Insurance bid preparation, solicitation and evaluation.
• Budgetary practices and controls, accounting principles, and practices of financial analysis.
• Financial and legal requirements for developing, implementing and administering self-insurance plans.
• Contract law as it applies to general liability and bodily injury claims adjustment, rules of evidence and insurance settlements.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and best practices.

Ability to:

• Analyze and interpret a variety of complex insurance policies, legal documents and reports pertaining to insurance, claims, loss exposure and coverage.
• Collect, evaluate and interpret data.
• Use inductive and deductive reasoning to validate conclusions, define and select alternatives and implement chosen course of action.
• Initiate, plan and complete work assignments with a minimum of direction and control and supervise the work of subordinate staff.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative, technical and statistical reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departments and agencies, representatives from private firms and organizations, staff, and the public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Four years of progressively responsible administrative or analytical experience, which includes responsibility for the development, and maintenance of risk management programs, such as workers' compensation claims management, safety/loss prevention activities, or related programs.

Possession of certification as an Associate of Risk Management (ARM) is highly desirable.

License Requirement:

Possession of a valid California class C driver license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None

Benefit Status: 08
EEOC Job Category: 01
Occupational Grouping: 85
Workers' Comp Code: 0053