The Risk & Benefits Manager is responsible for oversight and management of the County employee benefits, safety, and risk management programs and associated insurance plans and coverages, including employee and retiree benefits, and property, general, and professional liability coverages. Oversees the design, implementation, and administration of various benefits and safety programs, including training, branding, and communications. This position collaborates with County leaders to identify, assess, document, and mitigate risks across the County.

Washington County values your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. We are committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive work environment and believe diversity benefits and enriches our programs, our staff, and the communities we serve.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

Experience with the assessment of risks and hazards, safety, and compliance best practices.
Experience in overall benefit programs, including employee and retiree.
Experience in and professional level expertise with self-insurance.
Experience handling work comp claims, data breaches and liability exposures.
Supervisory experience.
Prior experience in a team environment building and maintaining relationships with customers and employees from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds who have different personalities, interests, abilities, and work styles.

Certification Preferred - Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP), Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS).

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE:
2024 - $95,596.80 - $130,540.80 Annually
2025- $99,181.68 - $135,436.08 Annually

SELECTION TECHNIQUE: Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

HOURS / DAYS: 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs.

E-Verify Participation:Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
E- Verify Participation Poster (Download PDF reader)
Right to work Poster (Download PDF reader)
The Risk & Benefits Manager is responsible for oversight and management of the County employee benefits, safety, and risk management programs and associated insurance plans and coverages, including employee and retiree benefits, and property, general and professional liability coverages. Oversees the design, implementation, and administration of various benefits and safety programs, including training, branding, and communications. This position collaborates with County leaders to identify, assess, document, and mitigate risks across the County.

This position will work closely with various internal and external stakeholders to include brokers, consultants, general public, regulatory agencies, third party administrators/providers, attorneys, carriers, and associations to ensure that both organizational risks, employee benefits, and insurance plans are managed effectively and aligned with the County’s strategic plan
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The job requires a bachelor’s degree in risk management, business administration, human resources or related field, and six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in risk and/or benefits management. Must have a strong understanding of insurance, risk, management practices, employee benefits and regulatory compliance. Master’s degree preferred (e.g., MBA, JD, Finance).

Certification Preferred - Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP), Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS).

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competenciesoutline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job include:

Support and prioritize a welcoming and respectful workplace that fosters diversity and encourages contributions from all individuals;
Provide inclusive and equitable service to all members of the community with dignity and respect;
Demonstrate support for the County’s diversity, equity and inclusion program;
Demonstrated knowledge of risk management practices, principles and methods or trends, especially in the areas of benefits, risk control, analysis, and financing;
Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations relating to public risk management;
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage staff and programs;
Demonstrated knowledge of computer-based risk management information systems;
Demonstrated ability to analyze/evaluate, and prepare valid conclusions/recommendations;
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain working relationships with all levels of employees, representatives of other agencies, and the general public;
Demonstrated ability to organize efficiently and work independently;
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; and
Demonstrated ability to report to work on a regular and timely basis.

Provides supervision of assigned Human Resources staff members; sets goals and objectives for others to work towards and monitors performance; conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and timely performance reviews.
Develops county-wide plans, programs, strategies, policies and implementation processes aimed at reducing health, safety and other associated risks with a goal of protecting the county from financial and reputational harm.
Advises departments in the assessment of various types of risks and hazards as it relates to their programs and operations; identifies strategies to mitigate and transfer the hazards, and provides recommendations and guidance on insurance, safety, compliance and best practices from a risk management perspective.
Collaborates with department leaders to routinely review their risk management plans, considers new exposure areas, reviews mitigation activity results and impact, and updates plan documentation as necessary.
Develops and monitors the budget, including funding for benefits, property/casualty and workers’ compensation insurance, self-funded retention and losses, wellness, safety programs and initiatives.
Oversees all property/casualty, general and professional liability claims, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission/Department of Human Rights, data breach and workers’ compensation claims against the county, etc.
Serves as the point of contact for all public ADA complaints regarding access to County services; interacts with complainant, works with the department to resolve the issues, and documents complaint and resolution. Maintain ADA Policy and program and provide input and guidance regarding ADA and accessibility guidelines.
Handles large workers’ compensation and litigated claims, including significant property damage and non-covered claims. Works with third parties to resolve claims.
Evaluates and determines liability and potential exposures; refers and recommends investigations, qualified rehabilitation consultants, and legal counsel as necessary.
Ensures all claims and required documentation are completed and deadlines are met in accordance with state and federal regulations and plan requirements.
Prepares written litigation update to keep management, county administration and commissioners appraised of claim status.
Represents the County in settlement negotiations in conjunction with the County Administrator and County Attorney’s Office.
Oversees all employee related benefit leave and retiree programs, including annual open enrollment process, securing coverage, researching employee benefit trends and issues, approving internal benefit information, develop and lead RFP process in accordance with county policies and procedures.
Analyzes the financial performance of various employee benefits and retiree benefits plans and programs. Prepares analytical reports for the HR Director and County leaders as needed, and participates in discussions about report content, and recommended actions.
Establishes, reviews and provides guidance and recommendations on countywide contracts, leases, permits, and other agreements regarding potential exposures, indemnification provisions, insurance requirements and approval of limit waivers. Seeks legal assistance as necessary.
Oversees the gathering and dissemination of risk and benefits data and statistics including, a claims and HRIS system, the completion and submission of required data collection and reporting, and the annual statistical report for the board.
May be part of various committees including but not limited to: Continuity of Operations (COOP), Security Liaison Committee, Insurance Labor Management Committee, Wellness, Accident Review Board External membership may include MICA Risk Managers, PRIMA, Minnesota Safety Council, or others as requested by the HR Director.

Performs other duties as assigned.
Essential functions: 1-16

WORK ENVIRONMENT
80% of the work is semi-sedentary in nature and involves sitting/standing at a desk. The other 20% involves outside meetings and field work. This job requires: moving or retrieving boxes from storage that can weigh up to 25 pounds; climbing metal ladders; walking around worksites stooping, kneeling or crouching during inspections or audits. The job also requires the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to workers. There is pressure associated with managing a number of safety programs and ensuring the County is in compliance with regulations. The job requires driving or riding to work sites throughout the county.

About eighty percent of the time, the employee is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions and the noise level is moderate. In some instances, the worker may be subject to weather conditions, noise, vibrations, proximity to moving mechanical parts or vehicles, fumes, odors, dust, or poor ventilation. The job may involve dealing with or calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue that may have been referred by others.

Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.

Washington County (MN)

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Risk and Benefits Manager