Risk Services Coordinator

Risk Services Coordinator

The Risk Services Coordinator develops, coordinates, implements, and evaluates the City-County's risk management programs to protect City-County employees, property, financial assets, and the public. Reviews and analyzes risk exposures related to liability, property loss, workers' compensation, and insurance claims; designs and administers programs and procedures to minimize loss, control hazards, and reduce legal and financial exposure. Conducts investigations, coordinates claims and insurance activities, ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and provides technical guidance and training related to risk management and loss control; does related work as required.

This is a highly responsible and specialized program management position performed under the general direction and supervision of the City-County's Human Resources Director, with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The position is responsible for managing the City-County's insurance and risk management programs, including claims administration, loss exposure oversight, identifying, evaluating, controlling, and minimizing exposures that may result in litigation, insurance claims, or financial loss. This includes oversight of risks related to physical assets, liability, fidelity losses, and property damage. The Risk Services Coordinator manages automobile liability, fire, and property damage claims, including coordinating investigations, reviewing claims, communicating with legal counsel and insurance representatives, and negotiating settlements as appropriate.

The position coordinates planning and organizational functions related to the City-County's risk management program, emergency and crisis response activities, and technical assistance. The role also compiles and analyzes data to develop and recommend policies, procedures, and administrative regulations related to property and liability insurance, workers' compensation, and Return-to-Work programs. This position serves as the primary liaison with insurance adjusters, underwriters, and legal counsel and represents the City-County with public agencies, insurance carriers, and risk management service providers. The Risk Services Coordinator serves on assigned committees and boards, and interprets and applies applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to risk management, safety, loss control, and third-party liability. The nature of the work requires establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with Human Resources, the Safety and Health Coordinator, City-County department directors and supervisory personnel, City-County employees, and insurance carrier representatives.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only):

• Designs, develops, evaluates, and coordinates the City-County's risk management and loss control strategies, plans, programs, and policies; recommends ordinances, resolutions, and procedures to reduce risk and control losses.
• Performs in-depth research and analysis and serves as a technical resource to City-County management and administrative personnel regarding risk management, loss control, and liability exposure.
• Ensures compliance with applicable state and federal safety and loss control standards, including OSHA and the Montana Safety and Health Bureau; monitors effectiveness and recommends changes as required.
• Analyzes risks and potential liabilities associated with City-County operations, public services, special events, and festivals; recommends mitigation strategies to protect employees, property, and the public.
• Manages annual property and liability assessments for buildings, boilers, vehicles, and equipment; maintains property data management systems, including pollution coverage, special endorsements, crime policies, and departmental contents inventories.
• Assists in the development and monitoring of the City-County's property insurance budget and coordinates accounts payable and receivable activities related to insurance coverage.
• Maintains and updates City-County property, equipment, and fleet vehicle values; coordinates the procurement, administration, tracking, and compliance of insurance coverage for City-County assets.
• Issues and audits annual vehicle insurance cards and maintains fleet insurance documentation.
• Obtains and reviews certificates of insurance to protect City-County assets and limit liability exposure.
• Monitors City-County incidents and accidents and directs accident and incident investigations related to liability, property, and workers' compensation claims; implements and recommends corrective and preventative measures to mitigate recurrence.
• Reviews, processes, and manages liability claims; serves as the primary point of contact with insurance carriers, legal representatives, employees, third parties, and members of the public regarding claims against the City-County.
• Files, maintains, and manages liability and property claim records, evidence, loss data, litigation documentation, and related databases.
• Recover property damage costs from responsible parties and their insurers when applicable.
• Responds to citizen complaints related to potential negligence or liability exposure and works to resolve concerns in coordination with appropriate parties.
• Manages the City-County's workers' compensation program, including claims administration, coordination with insurance providers, medical professionals, and internal departments.
• Prepares and submits workers' compensation forms and required reports; manages medical claims, indemnity issues, job analyses, and Return-to-Work programs.
• Leads, administers, and evaluates the City-County's Return-to-Work program to reduce lost time, control workers' compensation costs, and support safe, timely reintegration of injured employees through coordinated transitional and permanent duty assignments.
• Coordinates wage loss and benefit administration with Payroll and manages workers' compensation coverage for volunteers and community service participants.
• Meets with injured employees and/or their families to explain workers' compensation benefits, processes, and legal rights.
• Prepares and maintains required correspondence, reports, records, and statistical data related to OSHA reporting, workers' compensation, safety programs, and liability claims, including OSHA logs and regulatory reports.
• Gathers, analyzes, and maintains injury statistics, loss data, and management reports for internal and external reporting purposes.
• Oversees preparation and submission of quarterly and annual insurance reports and maintains required liability and insurance program documentation.
• Compiles, analyzes, and provides annual cost allocation and expenditure data related to property and liability insurance programs to Finance.
• Reviews contracts, leases, and agreements to assess risk, insurance requirements, and liability exposure; provides recommendations to mitigate risk.
• Evaluates Special Events Permit applications for safety and risk considerations, including certificates of insurance and public safety requirements.
• Coordinates with service providers, insurers, brokers, legal counsel, and internal departments to support proactive loss control and risk mitigation efforts.
• Serves on the Local Emergency Planning Committee and subcommittees as requested.
• Serves on the Land Sales Committee and provides recommendations to reduce liability and loss.
• Serves as backup to the Safety and Health Coordinator, as assigned.
• Attends meetings, conferences, and workshops as requested and authorized.
• Performs related work as required.
• Performs all duties and work assignments in a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound manner. Specifically, complying with the Health & Safety Program; maintaining work areas in a safe and orderly manner; identifying and reporting unsafe conditions; reporting all accidents; wearing required personal protective equipment; and attending safety-related meetings, training sessions, fit testing, etc.
• Performs all duties and work assignments in compliance with project quality requirements.
• Acts responsibly and ethically, and in conformance with generally accepted business, occupational, and professional standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Experience, Training, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of public-sector risk management principles, workers' compensation, and safety procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of workers' compensation laws, rules, regulations, and claims administration practices.
• Thorough knowledge of property and casualty insurance philosophies, policies, procedures, and practices in a public-sector environment.
• Thorough knowledge of insurance markets, market trends, and carrier practices, including underwriting and claims processes.
• Thorough knowledge of the methods and procedures utilized by insurance carriers in processing workers' compensation and liability claims.
• Knowledge and implementation of the Montana Safety Culture Act and related state and federal safety and loss control requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of public policy and management research, analysis, and the preparation of technical and management-level reports and presentations.
• Skill in analyzing risk exposures and negotiating agreements with insurance carriers, brokers, and other entities involved in risk management and loss control.
• Ability to interpret insurance policies, endorsements, exclusions, and contractual risk transfer provisions.
• Ability to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to develop practical solutions to complex risk, insurance, and claims issues.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with executive leadership, department heads, supervisors, employees, injured workers and their families, insurance carriers, legal counsel, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using technical and non-technical language appropriate to the audience.
• Ability to deal tactfully, professionally, and compassionately with injured workers and their families under stressful and emotionally sensitive circumstances.
• Ability to prepare accurate, timely, and reliable reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to perform complex research