Risk Management Specialist

NATURE OF WORK 

Under the direction of the Human Resources Director, the Risk Management Specialist will perform a variety of highly responsible, complex and confidential duties in the areas of Human Resources, Safety and Risk Management. The incumbent will primarily be responsible for the Town’s safety, worker’s compensation and general liability programs, and will provide support and back-up coverage for other HR programs as needed. The incumbent will work in partnership with other employees, departments / divisions, external entities and the public in delivering effective and innovative services. Because of the confidential nature of information handled by this department it is extremely important that this individual realize the importance of confidentiality.

The Town of Frederick is an organization that is Built on What Matters. We seek to attract and retain the best team members to assist us in accomplishing the mission and vision of the Board of Trustees. We work to foster a culture of Family, Respect, Empowerment and Dedication (FRED), which encourages all team members to build upon their strengths and celebrate their successes through mutual support, collaboration and teamwork.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The duties listed herein are illustrative of the essential duties of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required or assigned.

• Assumes overall responsibility for the Town’s safety and risk management programs. Serves as the Town’s risk manager with regard to worker’s compensation, property/casualty and other general liability claims.
• Analyzes and processes all worker’s compensation claims. Advises supervisors of claim trends, open or on-going claims, and potential on-the-job injury concerns.
• Analyzes current and potential safety issues, risks, trends and loss histories in order to develop and administer safety-related communications, incentive programs, training courses and other risk-mitigation activities.
• Coordinates and/or provides a variety of safety training opportunities to both newly hired and tenured employees. Promotes a culture of safety in the workplace.
• Investigates accidents, injuries and incidents to prevent reoccurrence. Performs and/or coordinates safety inspections of Town-owned buildings and facilities, and notifies department supervisors of any recurring problems.
• Works with supervisors and department directors in establishing and maintaining light and/or modified duty programs and assignments.
• Leads the Town’s safety program and oversees the Safety Committee. Establishes goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety and risk management, and works with the Safety Committee and other key stakeholders to achieve those goals. 
• Serves as the primary contact for the Town’s property/casualty and worker’s compensation programs with the Town’s insurance carriers, employees and the public. 
• Serves as the Town’s ADA coordinator. Works with other departments to ensure the Town’s buildings, facilities, amenities, and website are ADA compliant.
• Coordinates property/casualty claims activity between the claimant, the Town and the insurance carrier. Oversees the collections for damages to Town property. 
• Responsible for the Town’s annual property/casualty and worker’s compensation audit processes.
• Responds to questions from employees, outside entities, citizens and/or other government agencies concerning the Town’s safety / risk management program. Handles various citizen complaints. 
• Maintains all insurance policies and endorsements for property/casualty and worker’s compensation programs. Responsible for the annual renewal of all policies and endorsements. Makes recommendations for additional or alternative policies or endorsements.
• Manages the random drug screening process as required for compliance under the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). Updates and maintains the list of active employees and coordinates the random testing as required. Works with our third party vendor to ensure DOT compliance.  
• Other duties as assigned by the Human Resources Director.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Requires a high degree of integrity, discretion, judgment and confidentiality in dealing with personal information, protected health information and sensitive topics.
• Requires exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy of work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Requires the ability to effectively and tactfully communicate with individuals of varying social, cultural, economic, professional and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in applying guidelines, evaluating circumstances, arriving at conclusions and making decisions.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills. Must have the ability to effectively prioritize the workload, and work within established deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in an environment with multiple distractions and interruptions.
• Ability to generate creative ideas and continuously look for ways to improve.
• Skill in exercising sound independent judgment and in making decisions within general policy guidelines.
• Ability to build effective relationships with employees, outside agencies, third party vendors and the public.
• Energetic, positive and outgoing, while able to maintain a professional demeanor. Remains calm and professional under pressure or in tense situations.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office products, and comfortable with new or unfamiliar software or technology. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in human resources, risk management or a related field preferred, but not required. ADA Coordinator Certification required within 12 months of hire.
• Three – five years of increasingly responsible professional level experience and/or training.
• Previous experience, knowledge or familiarity with laws and best practices applicable to property and liability insurance, worker’s compensation, workplace safety and/or risk management, especially in a municipal government setting. Familiarity with Title I and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
• Any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, see and hear, and to use hands to finger, handle, touch or feel. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Most work is performed in a typical office setting, however there may be occasions that will require the employee to work in and be exposed to all weather conditions, including but not limited to extreme heat, extreme cold, sun, wind, snow, etc. The noise level is usually moderate.