Director of Risk Management

Department: Risk Management Reports to: City Manager

Summary: Under limited supervision, directs the Risk Management (RM) Department through effective management of technical issues; provides technical expertise on liability, safety, and occupational health issues; assures a safe and secure environment for employees, guests, and citizens by evaluating City operations and providing appropriate safety and security programs.

Essential Functions: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves the City as Risk Management (RM) officer and principal RM advisor to the City; provides leadership, direction, and guidance in risk identification and analysis; evaluates RM data, and develops employee programs, and cost control solutions for protecting the City's assets.
• Manages, plans, coordinates and administers the Risk Management, safety and health, property and liability, medical and dental, and workers' compensation programs to control the cost of risk through risk finance, risk control, risk avoidance, and risk transfer.
• Directs RM programs, including risk identification, loss control, safety, insurance & self-insurance, asset protection, fitness and wellness, investigations, litigation, and claims; identifies and analyzes risks, and recommends appropriate risk transfers, risk controls and risk financing strategies to minimize spending while maximizing the reduction of the negative effects of risks.
• Manages insurance coverage for a variety of employee benefits and risk exposures; evaluates insurance costs, self-insured retentions, and the effectiveness of self-insurance versus commercial insurance; assures the City Risk Management programs are in compliance with federal and state laws, policies, and regulations.
• Identifies patterns and trends in risk management, and develops plans to address emergent issues; uses RM industry best practices in risk transfers, loss controls, risk financing techniques, and insurance coverage.
• Directs, coaches, and trains staff, and evaluates performance; meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve priorities, workload, resource allocation, quality standards, and technical issues; monitors operations to identify and resolve problems; assures work products meet scope, schedule, and quality requirements.
• Manages the investigation of claims and lawsuits for liability and damage claims; works with City departments and others in order to reduce the frequency and severity of accidental losses, and achieve a workplace environment committed to safety and loss prevention.
• Analyzes operational information, evaluates trends, and assures RM issues are properly addressed and resolved; develops and presents reports and recommendations in public meetings.
• Supports the departmental operations with regular and timely attendance.
• Must have and maintain a cell phone for City use to hold this position.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines: Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration, or related field; AND seven years' experience managing government risk management and claims operations with five of those years at a supervisory level.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of risk management, loss control and prevention, risk analysis, insurance, and financing.
• Occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices and procedures.
• State and federal risk management laws and regulations, including workers' compensation, tort claims, OSHA, and other safety regulations.
• Claims processing rules and regulations; and legal research techniques, legal terminology, and court protocol and procedures.
• Principles of record keeping, case files, and records management
• Principles and practices of public sector administrative management, including applicable regulations, performance management, personnel rules, procurement, contracting, and project management.
• Techniques and practices for efficient and cost effective management of resources.
• Business and personal computers, and financial spreadsheet software applications.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying federal and state rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Analyzing risk management issues, evaluating alternatives, and developing recommendations.
• Analyzing City needs, and developing risk management strategies to meet future needs.
• Analyzing risk management issues, evaluating alternatives, and making decisions based on findings.
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting laws, regulations, and technical procedures.
• Maintaining complete and accurate records and case files.
• Analyzing and interpreting technical documents, and preparing technical reports.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Effectively managing and leading staff, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Interpreting technical instructions and analyzing complex variables.
• Using initiative, independent judgment, tact, and prudence within established procedural guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with City employees, elected officials, and representatives from other local, state and Federal agencies.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

License and certification requirements: A valid Texas State Driver's License is required.

Physical demands and working environment: Work is performed in a standard office environment.