Are you a proactive problem-solver with a passion for creating safer and more resilient organizations? If so, the City of Albany may be for you! The City is looking to fill its first Risk Manager position. As the Risk Manager, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the City’s assets, ensuring safety compliance, and driving innovative strategies to prevent losses and manage liability.
What makes the City of Albany so special?
- We have an inspired team dedicated to providing exceptional service and supporting our community now and into the future.
- Our people are instrumental to our success. We have a reputation for supporting growth and development throughout the organization.
- At 437 FTEs and 58,000 population, we’re not too big or too small! You can enjoy being part of a community while still finding plenty of opportunities for professional growth.
- We do serious work, but never take ourselves too seriously. Our team enjoys humor, fun, comradery, and epic holiday celebrations.
What makes our Risk Manager position so great?- This is a new role for the City that will be instrumental in transforming the City’s risk management, insurance, and safety programs. You have the opportunity to build the foundation that will guide the City’s strategy now and into the future.
- You’ll be able to hit the ground running, sinking your teeth into meaningful projects such as setting risk and safety goals, coordinating training, identifying paint points, and providing recommendations to reduce the City’s exposure.
- You will play a key role in collaborating with departments, external agencies, and other stakeholders to drive a culture of safety and accountability that not only sets the organization up for success but also our community.
- This position allows for a mix of remote work and flexible scheduling.
Benefits include:
- Excellent medical, vision and dental benefit package for the employee and qualified family members with low monthly out-of-pocket cost. Employee-paid premium is approximately $51 per month for employee-only coverage up to a maximum of $147 per month for family coverage.
- City-paid contribution to a VEBA Trust account for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Currently, the annual contribution is $1,000 for employee-only and $2,000 for employee plus dependent(s).
- Paid time off – Fronted sick and vacation leave may be considered upon hire
- 17 hours of vacation leave per month, with progressive increases
- 8 hours of sick leave per month
- 10 paid holidays per year
- No waiting period to use vacation and/or sick leave accruals
- Excellent retirement benefits:
- City-paid participation in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (OPSRP and City pays 6% IAP contribution)
- City-paid 2% contribution into pre-tax deferred compensation plan
- In addition, other benefits such as job-related college tuition and book reimbursement, employee assistance program, basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare expenses.
To learn more about our organization, our community, and our benefits, click here.
Under administrative direction, manages all aspects of the City’s risk management functions including safety, loss prevention, auto and general liability insurance, and workers' compensation. Makes recommendations for program goals and policies relating to risk management and safety initiatives. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and City policies relating to risk management and safety. Activities include identifying, evaluating, and preventing potential exposure to financial loss. Coordinates training and development, communication, services, and activities across all City departments related to Risk Management initiatives. This department works closely with the City Management, Finance, and Human Resources teams as well as department liaisons and insurance contacts.
The duties listed are intended only as illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this classification. Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents and do not include all specific essential functions and responsibilities the incumbent may be expected to perform.
- Develops, implements, and updates risk management and safety policies, goals, and objectives in line with local, state, and federal requirements, as well as best practices.
- Identifies and maintains metrics for the performance of risk and safety programs that align with OR-OSHA reporting, best practices, and other required reporting. Recommends and executes data-driven adjustments based on the performance of programs.
- Administers the City’s worker’s compensation, indemnification, and insurance programs including, but not limited to insurance purchases and serving as the point of contact with insurance agents for the City’s property/casualty and general liability lines.
- Coordinates the City’s Safety program, including but not limited to serving as Chair of the Citywide Safety Committee, updating safety policies and procedures, assisting departments with compliance, and representing the City during OR-OSHA inspections.
- Conducts safety inspections to ensure compliance with City safety program guidelines. Coordinates inspections of equipment and machinery.
- Oversees the insurance claim process, including gathering information and investigating claims; develops and implements recommendations to prevent similar incidents. Serves as primary contact for claimants and involved departments.
- Develop and coordinate safety training and programs in line with City needs, OSHA requirements, and best practices. Maintains records for required training.
- Analyzes data on claims and makes recommendations for the purchase and renewal of policies based on need and cost-effectiveness. Works closely with the state insurance pool and insurance brokers to place appropriate insurance coverage.
- Identifies, researches, and analyzes liability exposure and risk, and makes recommendations to reduce, manage, and avoid risk. Coordinates with the City’s Contracts and Procurement Officer, City Attorney, and Finance Director to review and establish insurance and indemnification requirements for contracts citywide.
- Manages, directs, and implements the City’s Loss Control program to minimize, reduce or eliminate the occurrence and severity of losses and liability exposure to the City.
- Assists in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues, workers' compensation and fitness for duty evaluations and assignments. Review the Employer-At-Injury Program to identify needed equipment and worksite modifications, in consultation with the employee and their supervisor.
- May represent City in hearings related to safety violations or issues, such as unemployment insurance claims and employee discipline arbitrations.
- Collaborates with external stakeholders, agencies, unions, and departments to execute programs and establish strategies.
- Make recommendations for and administers the risk management and safety budget in line with long-term risk and safety strategies and goals.
- Works to create a high-performance work culture by demonstrating a positive attitude and modeling the City’s mission, vision, and values. Demonstrates continuous commitment to process improvement.
- Serves as a member of various City committees as assigned.
- Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
Works under the general guidance and direction of the Deputy City Manager.
This is a non-supervisory position. Lead work/coordination of the work of others is not a typical function assigned to this position.
Education and Experience:
A bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, risk management, human resources, or related field; and four years of experience in risk management, including workers' compensation, safety, and general liability.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Associate in Risk Management (ARM) certification, OR-PRIMA Risk Management Certification, or similar, strongly preferred. Experience working in a unionized, public-sector environment is preferred though not required.
Special Requirements:
- Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license and a driving record that meets the City’s driving standards.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of modern principles and practices of risk management in a public agency setting.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, statutes, and ordinances related to workers' compensation, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), property and casualty and loss control.
- Knowledge of safety programs and documentation, including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
- Skill in investigating accidents and preparing reports identifying causes and possible preventive measures.
- Skill in administering auto, general liability and workers' compensation programs.
- Skill in working effectively with third-party insurance administrators.
- Skill in implementing and enforcing loss control standards.
- Ability to administer a municipal employee safety program to ensure employee safety and loss prevention.
- Ability to serve effectively as the City's representative on litigated claims at settlement conferences and hearings.
- Ability to research, analyze, and provide statistical data on claims and losses for City departments and staff.
- Ability to review certificates of insurance received from vendors or contractors to ensure compliance with the City's required insurance coverage and limits.
- Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
- Ability to maintain risk management files and documents, including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
- Ability to plan, coordinate and conduct employee training programs on risk management topics.
- Ability to interpret, understand, and comply with complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and laws.
- Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
- Ability to regularly exercise significant discretion and independent judgment in risk management and workers' compensation cases.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, vendors, other agencies and the general public.
- Ability to train employees.
- Ability to travel between work sites in a timely, safe, and legal manner.
Work Environment
The work environment is primarily in an office environment. The employee will also be required to inspect various City work sites and facilities which may occur in a variety of weather, noise, and terrain conditions. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or the public/private representatives in interpreting and enforcing City policies and procedures. Occasional travel to local and regional meetings and trainings may occur. This position may be required to occasionally work evenings and weekends.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, sit, talk, hear, see, and demonstrate manual dexterity. The employee is also required to perform light lifting up to 20 lbs, and may be required to conduct field audits, and investigate and observe work sites or areas of damage in weather that may be cold, hot or wet.
Tools & Equipment Used
Uses standard office equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other tools as needed. Operates vehicles for site visits.
