County Risk Manager
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Under the general direction of the County Attorney's Office, performs advanced professional work in developing and administering the County’s Risk Management Program.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
Provides strategic planning, oversight and administration of Guilford County’s Risk Management processes and claims. This requires handling multiple lines of business in accordance with state laws, policies, procedures and resolutions adopted by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners. Lead and manage Guilford County’s risk management program, ensuring compliance with OSHA and ADA regulations. Manages and monitors work performed by the Risk Management Analyst(s), Safety Officer(s), any part-time temporary departmental support, outside adjusting firms, and third-party administrators involved in the investigation and handling of Guilford County claims. Leads or performs OSHA recording and reporting. Works directly with the County Attorney's Office on litigated claims and retained attorneys on worker compensation claims. Administers and oversees the incidence of claims for workers’ compensation, analyzes the causes of injuries, provides appropriate preventative program suggestions, and ensures the objectivity of claims. Discretion and confidentiality in this role are emphasized along with a general understanding of cost/benefit analysis associated with balancing self-insurance and transfer of risk.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Provides thought leadership and direction for the County’s Risk Management program by identifying and addressing exposures . Develops, implements, and continuously refines risk management practices to ensure alignment with the County’s strategic objectives and needs.
Oversees and directs insurance procurement, including negotiating coverage and premiums, managing relationships with brokers and carriers, and recommending optimal risk financing strategies. Reviews and approves insurance and indemnity language in County contracts to ensure adequate risk transfer.
Collaborates with Emergency Management and other stakeholders on business continuity planning, ensuring integration of risk management strategies into emergency preparedness and response.
Provides guidance on contractual risk transfer, including reviewing and approving contractor and vendor insurance documents, advising on indemnification clauses, and ensuring the County’s interests are protected.
Oversees Workers’ Compensation Claims administration, including the creation and facilitation of a Return-to-Work program. Authorizes first-visit medical treatment for injured employees by supporting the preparation of written authorization to medical providers. Responds to and resolves inquiries and complaints. Evaluates problems and takes appropriate action to resolve issues/concerns. Informs injured employees of their benefits.
Supports the completion of Employer’s Report of Employee’s Injury or Occupational Disease to the Industrial Commission and sends claims notices to the County’s third-party administrator. Calculates employees’ average weekly wages and workers compensation rate according to the statute. Keeps up with lost and restricted days. Manages and coordinates the Return-to-Work program for injured employees with departments and employees.
Attend legal proceedings including mediations and hearings when necessary. Support the drafting of settlement agreements and files documents with the Industrial Commission as needed, under the supervision of the County Attorney’s Office. Acts as a liaison between injured County employees and third-party administrators.
Develops a comprehensive plan to identify categories or areas of potential risk; analyzes each category in terms of frequency and severity to accurately measure the financial liabilities; develops strategies to eliminate or reduce risks where possible; prepares recommendations to realistically fund our risk management program.
Consults with County Directors, supervisors, and other employees to analyze training needs and areas for performance improvement and recommend preferred methods of achieving cost-effective solutions to hazards in the workplace.
Manages, monitors and assists the Risk Management Analysts with claims handling for Automobile Liability and Property Damage and Theft claims and non-litigated General Liability (including professional and medical) claims. Reviews all incidents reported to determine claim type and causation and to support in establishing a claim. Determines if third-party claims should be sent to contracted adjusters for handling and investigation or handled in-house. Follows up with employees and supervisors as necessary.
Responds to all third-party claims and investigates to determine liability in collaboration with the County Attorney’s Office. Establishes loss reserves, which are used in reporting to departments, actuaries and brokers. Ensures all claims are handled in accordance with the Guilford County Board of Commissioners’ adopted requirements. Prepares settlement documents when necessary and requests settlement payments from Finance. Consults with County Attorney’s on legal issues. Coordinates with the legal staff on litigation, settlement strategies and settlement authority. Obtains subrogation payments to be posted in the county’s financial system.
Coordinates and meets with Attorneys, claims adjusters, and department heads to review claims and develop strategies to reduce exposures and monitor claims handling. Prepares and produces documents for audit requests and meets with auditors. Send notices and updates to excess carriers in accordance with terms and conditions of insurance policies and contracts.
In close collaboration with the County Attorney’s Office, responds to notices of legal representation, assists with discovery requests, reviews and verifies answers to interrogatories and request for production of documents, and drafts, reviews, assembles, and organizes documents for litigated claims.
Serves as the county representative at mediations and hearings when necessary. Testifies in court as a witness when called on behalf of the County. Meets with The County Attorney’s Office and outside contracted attorneys to develop strategies and identify issues. Prepares claim settlement analysis and develops claim strategies for potential claim settlements in collaboration with our County Attorney’s Office and third-party administrator.
Maintains confidential records and information necessary for the preparation and posting of OSHA summaries in each of the county’s establishments in accordance with OSHA regulations. Keeps injury logs current and maintains and updates logs for a 5-year period. Produces documents to OSHA when requested with required time limits. Assists contracted claims administration employees in preparing and filing annual surveys from NC DOL and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Proves management oversight to the County’s safety program and ensures compliance with state, local, and federal law and the expeditious investigation and accurate reporting of workers’ compensation claims.
Prepares and oversees the budget for the Risk Management Program.
Ensures compliance with applicable state and federal regulations including but not limited to OSHA and ADA.
RECRUITMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of government accounting, auditing and reporting requirements.
Understanding of safety programs, risk management, accreditation/governing regulations at all levels, government and private payer reimbursement rules and policies, as well as fraud and abuse laws.
Excellent interpersonal, analytical, critical-thinking, oral and written communication skills.
Strong communication skills to work professionally with clients, vendors and staff.
Excellent people skills to team with diverse leadership and operational teams, with a clear, easy to understand communication style.
Knowledge of insurance principles, including coverage; loss control program analysis; claims investigation, processing, and settlement negotiations; funding methods for protection from potential risks; products, services, and financial strengths of the leading property and liability insurers; and documentation and record keeping principles.
Proficiency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Ability to effectively balance competing priorities simultaneously, strong attention to detail, excellent problem-solving and follow-up skills.
Thorough knowledge of county, state and federal policies governing the organization's work.
Considerable knowledge of personnel policies and practices.
Ability to exercise significant judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures.
Comprehensive knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks (e.g., COSO, ISO 31000) and ability to integrate them into County policies and procedures.
Expert understanding of multi-line claims, coverage analysis, property/casualty insurance, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
Ability to lead a small department and support teamwork and collaboration.
Considerable knowledge of OSHA regulations and ADA requirements of work.
MINIMUM QUALIFICIATIONS
Completion of college with a degree in public administration, business administration, or a closely related field, and four years professional experience in the development and administration of risk management programs which include property and liability, preferably in the public sector.
Physical Demands
Work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts, driving an automobile, or use of PCs or other VDTs to accomplish work objectives. No specific physical demands required. However, there are moderate levels of focused concentration in reading reports and using PCs. Mental demands and normal stress regarding achieving work deadlines are present
Working Conditions
Working environment involves normal, everyday discomforts or unpleasantness. Work area has adequate light, heat, and ventilation and the environment is organized and stable. Work place and work activities present no significant safety or health hazards to employee.
May Require Driving
This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver’s license and that the driving record is compatible with the county’s driving criteria.
If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County’s vehicle use policy.
Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.
