*RISK MANAGER
Pay Range GC24

INTRODUCTION

This at-will managerial position assumes administrative and supervisory responsibility for the Risk Management division of the Human Resources department.  Under the direction of the Human Resources Director, this position performs functions associated with administering the County’s self-insurance program to include planning, organizing and monitoring Douglas County’s risk management functions, including Risk Management Team activities ensuring frequent and effective in-house employee training is conducted on topics relating to potential risks associated with county employment and supervision; managing and overseeing claims administration and reporting by third party administrators of general liability, vehicle, personal property damage/loss, casualty, civil claims; assess, monitor and authorize payment of County and department-specific insurances for commercial property, employment and professional liability, special needs, etc.; provide advice and guidance to department heads and elected officials in areas of insurance liability and risk exposure, and to department representatives and the Central Safety Committee and/or Safety Program manager in the areas of accident and on-the-job injury prevention;  provide assistance in HR risk-related matters, e.g., employee complaints, as assigned by Director.   May serve in the absence of the Director.

EXAMPLES OF PRINCIPAL DUTIES

(Duties assigned to this classification include, but are not limited to, the following examples.)

1. Perform day-to-day oversight and management of county’s risk management program which includes identifying and advising department heads and elected officials of potential risk of exposure in the areas of property, liability and workers’ compensation losses, determining costs associated with those losses and implementing strategies to eliminate, transfer or reduce those costs. With assistance of Agent of Record, advise Risk Management Committee and Board of Commissioners on any matter that may be adverse to the County’s philosophy or that which might present potential risk to the County or its self-insured status.

2. Offer strategic advice and in-house employee and supervisory training in the areas of: liability, tort, property and casualty, and employment risk-related topics including: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), EEO compliance, Federal and Oregon Family Medical Leave Acts (FMLA/OFLA), discipline and discharge, wage and hour, civil rights, discrimination, harassment, sensitivity, cultural diversity, etc.

3. Monitor and analyze state and federal insurance legislation for possible impact to risk management philosophy.  Identify and evaluate potential risks of loss; recommend risk management techniques for resolving exposure issues.

4. Recommend goals and objectives for risk management division and for County departments; assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.

5. Supervise work activities of risk management support staff; offer technical assistance and training as needed.  Assume accountability for work performed within the division.  Is involved in selection, training and performance evaluation of risk management staff.

6. Review provisions in standard form county contracts involving insurance and indemnification and make risk determinations, as requested.

7. Monitor and authorize for payment all administrative and legal expenses relating to claims administered by third party administrators.  When appropriate, ensure third party administrator assigns specific County-identified counsel to defend claim.

8. Oversee and examine periodic reports generated by third party claims administrators, ensuring understanding of reserves setting/modification method.  Assist third party administrators in preparing trend analysis and high exposure claims information for presentation to Douglas County Risk Management Committee.

9. Participate in periodic claims review with Agent of Record, third party administrators, and appropriate outside defense counsel.  Meet periodically with Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources Director to review reserve methodology employed by third party administrators.

10. Through safety manager, oversee county accident prevention and safety programs; recommend elimination of potentially unsafe work conditions and practices, approve plan to limit expected losses and reduce possible losses.  Participate in county-wide program assuring compliance with OSHA. Attend County Central Safety Committee meetings, offering training and advice to participants to mitigate potential risk of work-related injuries and/or safety issues.

11. Maintains and monitors budget for risk management function, self-insurance trust fund and other funds related to risk management.

12. As necessary and assigned by Director, provide assistance in HR matters involving potential risk of litigation to County, e.g., conducting investigations into employee complaints.

13. Represent the department to the public and other agencies and interpret personnel policies and regulations and advise department heads, employees and the public.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THIS POSITION

Knowledge of: Thorough knowledge of public liability exposures, property, general liability and special needs insurance programs and regulations relating to establishment of such programs and systems to maintain effective program; considerable knowledge of administration and policies that work together to maintain an effective self-insurance program; knowledge of laws and legislations and principles that affect self-insurance and accident prevention and risk financing; knowledge of contract administration; regulations and acceptable practices; considerable knowledge of principles of human resource management, federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations impacting risk administration, principles and practices of loss control and claims administration; principles and practices of budget administration, and County policies and practices.  Skill in: Writing clear and concise documents; interviewing techniques; interpreting insurance policies and applying statutes, and administrative rules; planning, organizing and supervising the work of others; analyzing and resolving problems in a logical manner; using automated equipment and systems.  Ability to: Communicate effectively in both oral and written form; ability to investigate and negotiate settlements; utilize problem identification and resolution techniques; interpret policies and procedures to employees and the public; adjust to priority changes; remain calm and use good judgment during confrontational or high pressure situations; make decisions independently in accordance with established policies and procedures, establish new policies when applicable, and use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities; work independently and manage time efficiently; establish and maintain records, reports and statistical data; courteously meet and deal effectively with Board of Commissioners, other employees, department heads, elected officials, federal and state agencies, other public agencies, advisory boards, courts, consultants, insurance companies, attorneys, vendors and the public.

Education, experience and training:  Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, or related field and two (2) years progressively responsible experience in loss control programs, self-insured programs, or related field including at least one (1) year successful supervisory/management experience, OR a minimum of six years directly related and progressively responsible experience that includes one year supervision/management experience, OR an equivalent combination of acceptable and directly related training and progressively responsible experience, including one year of supervision/management experience. 

Preference given to possession of an Associate or Certificate in Risk Management or Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter.  At time of appointment, must possess valid Oregon driver’s license.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS OF THIS POSITION

This classification works under the guidance of the Human Resources Director.  Employee works independently in administering a complex area of responsibility and confers with supervisor for professional advice.  Discretion is required in applying general goal and policy statements, in development of recommendations, policies and procedures and in resolving program problems.  Work is accomplished within a broad framework, with authority and responsibly in area of service.  Periodic reviews of work performance are conducted in terms of expected results.

GUIDELINES

Work is performed within established departmental policy and procedures, federal, state and county statutes, rules, regulations and ordinances; personnel rules, union contracts, accepted risk management and problem resolution techniques, affirmative action and equal employment opportunity guidelines, interviewing and technical writing reference manuals.  Employee uses initiative and seasoned judgment in independently interpreting and applying guidelines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Regular and consistent attendance is required.  Work is performed primarily in an office environment, however, periodic field inspections and off-site training is required; may involve bending, hearing voice conversation, keyboarding, lifting up to 15 pounds, sitting, stand and walking. A reasonable amount of driving is required.