Risk Manager

Risk Manager Position

The City of Hemet is seeking a Risk Manager to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for a knowledgeable risk management professional to play a key role in protecting the City's people, property, operations, and financial interests. The Risk Manager will provide leadership and expertise across a broad range of risk management, insurance, claims, safety, workers' compensation, and liability activities.

As Risk Manager, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a dynamic municipal organization while partnering with departments throughout the City to identify risks, develop solutions, and promote a culture of safety and accountability.

The City of Hemet is an equal opportunity employer.

Essential Functions, Duties and Tasks:

• Plans, organizes, administers, and evaluates the City's comprehensive risk management program, including workers' compensation, liability, property and casualty insurance, safety, loss control, regulatory compliance, emergency preparedness, and related risk management activities.
• Develops, implements, standardizes, and continuously evaluates risk management policies, procedures, programs, and service delivery methods; monitors program performance, administrative systems, and workload; identifies operational improvements and implements best practices.
• Participates in the development and administration of the division budget; forecasts staffing, equipment, materials, contractual services, and operational needs; monitors expenditures and ensures compliance with approved budget appropriations.
• Directs the administration of the City's workers' compensation, liability, and property claims programs; oversees Third-Party Administrators (TPAs), claims management vendors, and legal counsel; monitors claims processing, litigation, settlements, appeals, return-to-work efforts, and claims costs while implementing strategies to reduce organizational risk and workplace injuries.
• Investigates, evaluates, negotiates, adjusts, settles, or recommends disposition of workers' compensation, liability, and property claims within established authority; attends hearings and settlement conferences as required; coordinates with attorneys, insurance carriers, and City departments on complex claims and litigation matters; reviews and approves legal invoices.
• Administers the City's insurance programs by evaluating risk exposures, recommending insurance coverage or self-insurance strategies, preparing insurance specifications, procuring insurance through bid or negotiation, auditing premium billings, negotiating policy terms, and maintaining effective relationships with insurance carriers, brokers, and service providers.
• Develops and administers insurance compliance procedures for City contracts, agreements, vendors, contractors, special events, and other third parties; reviews and approves certificates of insurance and evaluates requests for exceptions to insurance requirements.
• Oversees subrogation and recovery activities by identifying recovery opportunities, coordinating evidence collection, pursuing reimbursement, processing recovery payments, and ensuring proper reimbursement of deductibles when applicable.
• Develops, implements, and administers comprehensive loss prevention, occupational safety, and injury reduction programs; conducts facility inspections; investigates accidents and incidents; analyzes injury and loss trends; recommends corrective actions; develops policies and procedures; and ensures compliance with Cal/OSHA and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Administers regulatory compliance programs, including the Department of Transportation Commercial Driver License (CDL) Program, Workplace Violence Prevention Program, hazardous materials and hazardous waste management, and other mandated employee safety, certification, and regulatory training programs.
• Directs and coordinates employee safety training, specialized certification programs, emergency response training, and regulatory compliance education; facilitates safety committee meetings and promotes a proactive culture of workplace safety.
• Responds to emergencies involving employee or public injury, property damage, or other significant incidents; conducts investigations to determine cause, liability, corrective actions, and long-term risk mitigation strategies.
• Evaluates risks related to City facilities, operations, utilities, infrastructure, and security; collaborates with departments to develop security protocols, asset protection measures, disaster mitigation strategies, emergency preparedness plans, and business continuity initiatives.
• Prepares City Council agenda reports, resolutions, presentations, studies, Requests for Qualifications/Proposals, contracts, scopes of work, and other technical and administrative reports; negotiates and administers professional service agreements; responds to audits, regulatory reviews, public records requests, and inquiries from executive management, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Participates in establishing division goals, objectives, policies, priorities, staffing plans, and performance measures; monitors program effectiveness and implements continuous process improvements.
• Provides day-to-day leadership and supervision of assigned staff; participates in recruitment and selection; recommends appointments; trains, coaches, mentors, evaluates performance, establishes performance expectations, addresses performance issues, and supports employee development while fostering a collaborative, customer service-oriented work environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of public sector risk management, including workers' compensation, liability, property and casualty insurance, loss control, and claims administration.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards governing risk management, occupational safety, workers' compensation, Cal/OSHA, Department of Transportation (DOT), Commercial Driver License (CDL) requirements, Workplace Violence Prevention, hazardous materials, and related regulatory programs.
• Claims investigation, evaluation, settlement, litigation management, subrogation, return-to-work programs, and claims cost containment strategies.
• Insurance principles and practices, including policy analysis, underwriting, procurement, self-insurance, risk financing, certificates of insurance, and contract insurance requirements.
• Principles of occupational health and safety, accident prevention, safety inspections, hazard identification, and incident investigation.
• Emergency preparedness, disaster mitigation, business continuity, and security risk assessment principles.
• Principles and practices of public administration, program management, strategic planning, performance measurement, and continuous process improvement.
• Budget development, fiscal administration, contract administration, and procurement practices.
• Principles of supervision, employee development, performance management, and team leadership.
• Research methods, statistical analysis, report preparation, and presentation techniques.
• Modern office technology, records management systems, claims management software, spreadsheet and database applications, and other software related to risk management and human resources.

Skill to:

• Plan, organize, administer, and evaluate comprehensive risk management, safety, and insurance programs.
• Investigate, evaluate, negotiate, and resolve workers' compensation, liability, and property claims.
• Analyze complex claims, insurance policies, contracts, loss data, and legal documents to determine risk exposure and appropriate courses of action.
• Develop and implement effective safety, loss prevention, and regulatory compliance programs.
• Conduct inspections, investigations, audits, and risk assessments to identify hazards and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, policies, procedures, contracts, specifications, and City Council agenda materials.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and develop practical solutions to reduce organizational risk and claims costs.
• Negotiate effectively with insurance carriers, attorneys, third-party administrators, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Manage multiple priorities, projects, contracts, and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Utilize computer systems and software applications related to claims management, budgeting, data analysis, and report preparation.
• Deliver effective presentations and employee training programs.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple complex programs and projects simultaneously while meeting established deadlines.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, collective bargaining agreements, and industry best practices.
• Exercise sound judgment and make informed decisions involving complex financial, legal, operational, and personnel matters.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and programs that improve organizational effectiveness and reduce risk.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with employees, department directors, executive management, elected officials, legal counsel, insurance carriers, regulatory agencies, vendors, and the public.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of technical knowledge.
• Prepare and present technical information and recommendations to executive management, City Council, committees, and other groups.
• Lead, supervise, motivate, coach, and evaluate assigned staff while fostering a collaborative and customer service-oriented work environment.
• Analyze complex problems, identify practical solutions, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive personnel, legal, medical, and financial information.
• Respond effectively to emergencies, crises, and rapidly changing priorities while maintaining professionalism and sound judgment.
• Establish and maintain accurate records, documentation, and reporting systems.
• Work independently with minimal supervision while exercising initiative and accountability.
• Represent the City professionally in meetings, negotiations, hearings