The Risk Management Specialist – Workers’ Compensation is responsible for the day-to-day administration and oversight of the City’s Workers’ Compensation program. Reporting to the Risk Manager, this position manages the workers’ compensation program for the City of Bellevue and acts as liaison with the Third-Party Administrator Claims Adjusters (TPA). They will also serve as a key point of contact for injured employees, supervisors, and City departments.
This role partners closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure customer-focused claims handling, coordinate return-to-work efforts, monitoring program costs, and maintaining accurate financial and regulatory reporting. This position must stay current on Washington State Workers’ Compensation regulations and support continuous improvement of the program through strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Oversee Workers’ Compensation claims activity and continuously strengthen the TPA (Gallagher Bassett) relationship.
- Partner with employees and managers to coordinate and support the return-to-work program for injured employees.
- Practice consistent fiscal responsibility over related workers’ compensation claim activity and appropriate invoicing.
- Manage WA State L&I reporting and monitor other regulatory reports in coordination with the TPA.
- Communicate with injured workers regarding claims handling expectations.
- Monitor claims in a Risk Management Information System (RMIS) and run analytical reports as necessary.
- Stay current on changes to Washington State Workers’ Compensation laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
- Provide appropriate timely responses to City of Bellevue Public Records Manager Requests.
- Maintain confidentiality of electronic records and document control.
- Develop and maintain a working knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act (MMSEA) rules.
- Participate in insurance renewals as directed.
- Collaborate with the Risk Manager on special projects and initiatives as assigned.
Supervision Received and Exercised:
- Works under the general supervision of the Risk Manager
- No formal supervisory responsibilities
Education and Experience:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
- Four years or more of related professional Workers’ Compensation claims experience, preferable in WA State or other monopolistic state systems.
- Familiarity with industry best practices in Workers’ Compensation and working proficiency in interpreting medical reports and medical terminology.
- Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, competencies, and abilities to succeed in the role.
CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES:
- Financial acumen.
- Ability to communicate complex ideas in public, orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders.
- Strong customer focus.
- Ability to instill trust
- Effective multi-modal communications.
- Cultivates innovation.
- Action bias.
- Nimble learning.
- Quality decision making.
- Manages well in ambiguity.
- Strong negotiation and analytical skills.
Physical Demands
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel, or operate various objects or controls and reach with hands and arms.
- Required vision abilities include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Successful candidate may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
- The customary noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.
FLEXIBLE/HYBRID WORKING
A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.
