Risk Manager

Under direction plans, directs, and coordinates risk and insurance programs intended to control financial risks, losses, and liability for a local jurisdiction, agency, or other government entity; does related work as required. NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Positions in this class are responsible for the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of procedural policies as they relate to insurance, safety, claims, and settlement of losses. The risk manager may or may not have supervisory responsibilities over a subordinate staff although occasional direction may be provided to employees during the performance of their duties. Some of the technical analysis work may be accomplished on a contractual basis by a firm specializing in loss control or risk identification. Insurance risk management is a systematic effort on the part of top administrative staff, as guided and advised by the risk manager, to conserve general assets of a jurisdiction or other similar government entity through prevention and control of accidental loss. In the insurance field there is a specific approach to managing accidental loss and these individuals are thoroughly knowledgeable in the principles and practices of risk or loss control analysis work. At this level these individuals are responsible for one or more of the following insurance and risk program areas: planning and advising on the direction of an extensive (jurisdiction-wide) and complex insurance risk program, studying long range needs and recommending policy and procedures through the jurisdiction's departments to meet the goals for an extensive insurance risk program, serving in connection with an extensive risk insurance program and claims processing as a representative of the jurisdiction to outside insurance agents, combining a working knowledge of information systems, fiscal management, data processing with technical insurance analysis, and evaluation work. Positions in this class may also be involved in administering insurance programs such as fidelity, surety, liability, property, group life, medical, pension plans, workers' compensation for a government entity, and making recommendations to top management regarding various activities on which insurance is dependent; namely, safety inspections and studies, claims investigation and loss control, safety training, and policies and procedures pertaining to insurance and related fiscal matters. The work performed involves such functions as determining the kinds and amounts of commercial insurance needed, making analysis to determine reasonable rates, adequacy of coverage, and propriety of related provisions in insurance contracts, developing insurance program policies and procedures, and recommending the purchase of insurance. In some settings individuals in this class are responsible for ensuring adequate employee benefits plans for medical and dental, group life, pension plans, and so forth. Administers an insurance program which includes risk (or loss control) as an integral component by establishing jurisdiction-wide objectives, policies, and standards, and integrating them with operations of the departments through specific plans and procedures stressing preventative measures for accidental loss and damages. Conducts or oversees internal or contracted studies of jurisdiction activities by reviewing accounting records, operating manuals, narrative reports, and inspection reports on work operations and activities to analyze and classify losses (risks) as to frequency and potential severity and/or to identify sources of liability. Performs comprehensive analysis of risks to which a jurisdiction is exposed by (1) evaluating assets versus specific perils/hazards, (2) evaluating loss potential vis-a-vis frequency and severity, (3) studying all operations and contracted activities to measure overall financial impact of risks on the jurisdiction's financial assets. Evaluates degree of risk involved in designated insurance category (or line of insurance) by analyzing physical and environmental factors, onsite inspection reports, engineering reports, and claim and loss record histories to select adequate amounts of insurance coverage through commercial entities, self-insurance, or any other combination thereof. Evaluates information regarding jurisdiction's loss exposures and liabilities to recommend risk control policy and procedures to top administrative personnel. In cooperation with top administration, selects appropriate technique(s) to minimize losses: namely, elimination or avoidance of risk; loss prevention and reduction (reducing frequency and severity of loss); retention (self-insurance and planned noninsurance); grouping of exposure units; and transfer that the appropriate and effective measures may be adopted for controlling risks. Plans, initiates, or promotes various measures for minimizing losses using such methods as posters, literature, education, and training in safe work habits and practices, use of special construction features or devices (for example, sprinkler systems) to implement programs intended to prevent losses and minimize claims costs. Formulates and establishes procedures for reporting accidents and claims by such means as inhouse investigations of accident circumstances, interviews, and hazards identification, and makes recommendations for operational changes to record accurate accident data for claims processing and to detect trends in hazards on government property. Identifies, analyzes, and evaluates risks that would cause major financial losses to the jurisdiction, agency, or other entity. Advises management on all matters relating to cost amounts and types of insurance needed including commercial insurance, planned noninsurance, self-insurance, and so forth based on loss potential or severity to provide for proper coverage and reserves in case of catastrophic loss. Deals with financial officers and commercial firms providing such services as appraisal and property inventories to develop data affecting insurance rates, financial condition and assets of the jurisdiction, and the jurisdiction’s ability to finance insurance programs. Performs risk finance analysis work and makes appropriate recommendations to determine the financial ability to qualify and continue to qualify as self-insurers. Maintains harmonious working relationships with various officials, loss control engineers and specialists, line supervisors, attorneys, and so forth to exchange information about loss exposure, use of contract terminology, and other similar issues relating to implementation of risk control measures and insurance programs. Maintains harmonious working relationships with producers (for example, agents) and insurance companies, insurance auditors, and claims adjusters to prevent delays in claims services or to respond to safety engineering advice, and so forth or to relay information to them regarding lines of coverage, cost, services, or procedures. Purchases insurance coverage such as but not limited to casualty, property (real and personal), fidelity, group life, medical and dental, pension plans, and so forth by developing invitations for bid and requests for proposal or quotations and other similar means to facilitate the selection of the most economical source of insurance protection. Conducts, oversees, and arranges with operating supervisors a full range of appraisal inspections and inventories, and includes financial and operating data to establish information which will serve as the basis for identifying assets, liability, and determining extent of coverage, premiums, and so forth.