Safety and Risk Manager

About the role

Franklin County is seeking a proactive and knowledgeable Safety & Risk Manager to lead our efforts in creating a safer, more resilient workplace for employees and the community we serve.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, develops, administers, enforces, plans, coordinates employee safety and accident prevention programs, which includes Fleet Safety, Substance Abuse, and Emergency Action Planning.
• Administers risk management, loss control, and insurance programs and consults and collaborates with management.
• Reviews commercial insurance policies, determines, and recommends suitable coverage for transferring risk, consistent with market availability and the County’s needs.
• Gathers and tracks detailed asset, employee and claims data and acts as liaison with third party administrator for claims.
• Reviews County contracts, provides risk assessments, and makes recommendations while collaborating with County Administration, County Attorney and other parties as needed.
• Develops, manages, and oversees the risk management budget.
• Serves as the County’s chairperson for the Safety & Risk Management Committee.
• Oversees the administration and management of the Worker’s Compensation program.
• Conducts research on OSHA, DOT, EPA and risk management practice and regulations, determines which regulations affect the County and what departments, develops policies and procedures to comply with regulations or limit liability and audits safety and risk management policies and programs to ensure successful programs.
• Conducts regular inspections of buildings, grounds, sidewalks, vehicles, worksites and work procedures for OSHA compliance and for any liability risks and performs accident reviews.
• Provides monthly employee training on a variety of safety topics including defensive driving training, First Aid, CPR and AED training, Bloodborne Pathogens training and other identified safety training courses.
• Identifies categories or areas of potential loss; analyzes each category in terms of frequency and severity to accurately measure financial liabilities; develops strategies to eliminate risks where possible.
• Maintains records of claims and experience related to risk management activities; prepares related claims' reports.
• Manages mediations and depositions between claimants, assigned counsel, and insurance carriers to negotiate settlement amounts for cases in litigation.
• Provides management oversight to the county's safety program to include ensuring compliance with state, local, and federal law and the expeditious investigation and accurate reporting of worker's compensation claims.
• Performs work during emergency/disaster situations.
• Serves as a resource for citizens, employees and management in addressing safety questions and concerns.
• Performs inspections of county facilities.
• Consults with departments to keep informed of various aspects of services in order to identify activities, conditions or situations which may create a safety hazard or risk.
• Identifies hazardous equipment and operations and recommends solutions to minimize hazards.
• Identifies, evaluates, controls, and minimizes the loss of or damage to physical assets and losses arising out of liability claims.
• Serves as liaison with insurance representatives.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal laws; develops and administers policies and programs to comply with such laws.
• Recommends improvements and modifications to work activities based on evaluation of accident and other reports and prepares various reports on recommendations.
• Manages and participates in annual safety training for employees.
• Completes special projects, attends meetings when necessary, and represents the Human Resources and Risk Management Director as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, risk management, environmental health, industrial hygiene/occupational health, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in risk management, safety, or a related field.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to health/safety programs and worker’s compensation.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices relating to insurance and risk management, occupational and/or industrial safety and accident prevention.
• Working knowledge of office technology, equipment, and applicable software applications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, county staff, consultants, and attorneys.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and apply a wide variety of policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records, prepare reports, and make effective public presentations.
• Ability to establish and maintain firmness and tact in the enforcement of safety regulations.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

Franklin County offers a competitive benefit package designed to encourage and support your health, well-being and productivity. Benefit options include medical and dental insurance; elective supplemental insurance options such as short-term disability, vision, and voluntary term life; local government retirement; 401(k) with a 4% employer contribution (no employee match required); generous paid leave that includes 13 county-observed paid holidays per year; an employee wellness program inclusive of a county sponsored gym and an employee assistant program. For more information about Franklin County benefit options please click here here.