Risk Manager

The City is looking for one well-qualified individual to fill the position of Risk Manager. Click here to see more about this amazing opportunity!

The Risk Manager, under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and administers the City’s risk management, insurance, workers’ compensation and liability programs; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

This is an on-site role based at Chico City Hall. The Risk Manager will primarily work from this location, with occasional travel to off-site facilities as operational needs require.
Employees in this bargaining unit will receive a 5% General Salary Increase in July 2027.

Receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management or designee. May exercise direct supervision over professional and administrative support staff. 

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, and reviewing the day-to-day operations of the City’s risk management, insurance, workers’ compensation and liability programs. The incumbent is responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned programs, program evaluation, and reporting. The incumbent serves as a professional-level resource for research, analyses, and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

 

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the City’s risk management, insurance, workers’ compensation, and liability programs.
• Assists in developing and directing the implementation of program goals, objectives, work standards, and policies and procedures. 
• Participates in developing, administering, and controlling program budgets, assists in the forecasting of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, training, safety, and supplies; monitors expenditures; recommends budget adjustments.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends corrective action and discipline.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
• Assists with the management of the workers’ compensation and liability programs by coordinating the work of the third party claims administrators, assisting in investigation of claims, and recommending strategies to resolve claims.
• Analyzes and interprets accident reports, OSHA compliance and related data to recommend appropriate preventative actions; conducts inspections and evaluates department and City risk; serves as the Safety Officer and member of the Safety Committee on loss control and reduction.
• Reviews contracts for risk identification and recommends types and limits of insurance; ensures compliance with risk transfer techniques. 
• Negotiates, secures, and administers insurance coverage for a variety of risk exposures; evaluates insurance costs, self-insured retention, and the effectiveness of insurance coverage. 
• Researches, analyzes, and reviews legislative proposals and new laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations to determine the impact on program policies and procedures; develops recommendations for policy and procedure changes and implements upon approval.
• Performs research and analysis of information and statistical data; prepares reports and discusses analysis and conclusions with the Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management.
• Coordinates assigned projects and programs with other City departments, government agencies, external agencies, and others as appropriate.
• Receives, processes, and responds to escalated questions, complaints, and requests for information; provides information on processes and procedures; interprets and explains applicable federal, state, and local statutes and regulations and City policies and procedures; coordinates resolution to problems and issues. 
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of risk management.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices, including goal setting, program development,

implementation, and evaluation, and project management;

• Principles and practices of budget monitoring;
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures;
• Principles and practices of leadership;
• Public agency budget and contract administration processes and procedures; 
• Principles and practices of risk management and asset protection programs relating to general and financial liability protection;
• Insurance companies' policies and procedures regarding claims and reserves.
• Risk transfer techniques;
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly;
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff;
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar;
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to: 

• Plan, organize, oversee, and manage the day-to-day risk management program operations;
• Assist in developing and implementation of program goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards;
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction related to risk management programs;
• Assist in the preparation and administration of budgets and contracts; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner;
• Analyze insurance policy provisions to determine the existence and extent of liability;
• Analyze, classify, and rate risks, exposure, and loss expectancies;
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques;
• Respond to and investigate inquiries and complaints and prepare an appropriate response; 
• Gather, assemble, and analyze data and make sound recommendations for risk management programs;
• Conduct research, analyze, and interpret data, draw conclusions, and summarize and present information, reports, and data in an effective manner;
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed;
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written material;
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments;
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, and procedural, guidelines;
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax;
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 

Education and Experience: 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: 

 Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public or business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in risk analysis, safety operations, claims adjustments, liability, and workers’ compensation.

Licenses and Certifications: 

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

When performing field investigations:

Mobility to work in changing site conditions; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, and operate a motor vehicle and visit various City facilities.

Vision to investigate site conditions and fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations.

Environmental CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Also includes field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.