The Risk Manager plans, organizes, and directs the City’s risk management and loss control programs, including general liability and loss prevention and control, property cost recovery, the development and maintenance of insurance programs, workers’ compensation claims process, and the City’s safety program; coordinates communications, personnel, contracts, insurance policies, budgets, claims, reports, and information to meet the needs of the City and minimize exposure to loss. This position supervises a staff of three full-time employees.
Duties include but are not limited to the following:
Coordinate communications, personnel, contracts, insurance policies, budgets, claims, reports, and information to meet the liability needs of the City and minimize exposure to loss; participate in the development and implementation of risk and related insurance programs, safety programs to reduce injuries, projects, functions, goals, systems, objectives, strategies, and activities.
Plan, organize, and direct loss control self-insurance programs for City insurance programs.
Review, interpret, and assure adequate insurance coverage and negotiate, establish, and maintain related insurance policies. Research and analyze insurance information to assure optimal and cost-effective rates and policies.
Coordinate, investigate, and oversee response to claims filed against the City; evaluate claims and recommend settlement, rejection, or litigation options based on the California Tort Claims Act; and investigative results.
Work collaboratively with the City Attorney’s Office to compile and analyze claims-related information.
Develop and prepare the annual preliminary budget for risk programs and other assigned functions.
Participate in the review of contracts and waivers; review and evaluate proposed contracts to determine insurance requirements and liability exposure to the City; review insurance contracts to determine applicable coverage as needed.
Prepare and develop various reports, statistical records, and files related to insurance programs, claims, personnel, claims, financial activity, and assigned duties.
Plan, organize, and direct the development and implementation of strategies to minimize risk, liability, and costs by projecting potential losses and determining an appropriate response to identified risks.
Communicate with administrators, personnel, and outside organizations to coordinate activities and programs, exchange information, and resolve issues or concerns; serve as a liaison between the City and insurance providers.
Manage the City’s Safety Program and compliance.
Attend and conduct a variety of meetings and attend court hearings as required.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a proactive, organized, and collaborative working manager. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to build and maintain strong working relationships with staff, department heads, city leadership, and residents. The successful candidate will be organized, possess the ability to adapt to changing priorities, and can thrive in a fast-paced environment. An ethical mindset, confidentiality, and high integrity in all risk management activities are essential. The selected candidate will be solutions oriented and have some knowledge in public sector budget development, policy administration, staff management, and team building. Experience in a union environment is helpful.
Key Attributes and Characteristics
A hands-on, working manager with a creative approach to problem solving.
Detail-oriented and accurate with the ability to clearly assess and assimilate third party liability claims, find solutions, and negotiate positive results.
The ability to “think outside of the box” and articulate concepts and ideas clearly and directly.
Be adaptable and look at situations from all perspectives to assess and improve efficiencies and implement best practices.
A desire and willingness to coach and mentor staff.
The ability to build and foster positive interdepartmental relationships.
Positive and professional. An active listener.
THE COMMUNITY
Oceanside has a highly-rated livability factor with an advantageous coastal locale, a thriving downtown scene, and easy access to both San Diego and Los Angeles. Oceansiders enjoy one of the most desirable climates in the country, with sunshine and coastal breezes nearly every day, plenty of open space, miles of beautiful palm-lined beaches, unique architecture, historic buildings, and an efficient transportation hub. Oceanside offers professionals some of the most affordable housing in coastal Southern California with a wide variety of housing options from beach cottages and urban condos to estate homes and agricultural properties, making Oceanside a highly sought-after community. The local economy is robust with a low unemployment rate; future Oceanside job growth is projected to be 18% over the next ten years.
Oceanside offers an array of exciting hands-on recreational opportunities such as surfing, museums, bike trails, whale-watching tours, skydiving, fine dining, and much more. The “beachy” culture, lively neighborhoods, historic architecture, wonderful people, art and live theatre, and the thriving culinary scene make Oceanside an attractive place to live, work, play, and stay!
To learn more about the City of Oceanside, please visit www.oceansideca.org.
To be considered, please electronically submit your resume, cover letter and a list of five professional references (references will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/oceanside-risk-manager. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held, as well as size of staff and budgets you have managed.
