DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is a professional level position responsible for the formulation, implementation and monitoring of procedural policies of the County relating to insurance, safety, claims, including unemployment, and the settling of losses. The incumbent of this position administers various insurance policies including automobile, property, liability and workers' compensation. Work is performed under general direction of the County Attorney with wide leeway allowed for the performance of duties. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Administers and processes all worker’s compensation claims in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Worker’s Compensation Law, including all requirements for reporting, notification and record keeping;
• Reviews and processes all claims made pursuant to New York State General Municipal Law 207-c and any applicable collective bargaining agreements;
• Reviews all reports of injury to make initial recommendations and reviews medical bills for all worker’s compensation and 207-c claims to ensure they are compliant with New York State fee schedule;
• May arrange for private field investigation of claimants;
• Completes and files all required forms associated with worker’s compensation and 207-c cases and processes all indemnity payments;
• Develops and supervises the procedures for reporting of accidents including those involving worker’s compensation and 207-c;
• Administers insurance policies including general liability, public officer’s liability, law enforcement liability, cyber liability, property, automobile and worker’s compensation;
• Works to reduce insurance costs and losses, makes policy recommendations, facilitating benefits of experience rating provisions, etc.;
• Notifies liability carrier of all claims, whether third-party or otherwise, for coverage of exposure;
• Negotiates the adjustment of all insured and uninsured losses with insurers and County employees, with the approval of the County Attorney;
• Works to reduce County’s exposure to liability and risk, assesses legal risks and areas of weakness in administration and facilities, operations and maintenance, on an ongoing basis;
• Reports monthly to County Attorney and Legislature regarding status of all investigations, lost time claims for employees out of work and a listing of all payments made to employees out of work;
• Formulates plans, programs, training, innovative methods and/or programs geared toward the reduction of the County’s exposure to risk, and oversees the implementation of such programs and/or plans;
• Implements, maintains and manages the County’s Compliance Program so as to promote prevention, detection and resolution of instances of conduct that do not conform to Federal, State and local laws, agreements and program requirements, and revises the Compliance Program in accordance with changing needs, changing law, policies and procedures;          
• Monitors developments and changes in statutes, court rulings, rules, regulations, etc. that would impact compliance initiatives;
• Develops, coordinates and participates in ongoing educational and training programs and media promoting safety and safe practices, consults with departments on design and use of safety equipment and devices;
• Recommends corrective or preventative actions to correct conditions presenting risk, exposure to liability and/or potential accident and health hazards, where indicated;
• Formulates general safety policies and measures to be followed by the County;
• Works closely with the County’s Safety Officer and County Management Safety Committee to improve safety at all County facilities;
• Coordinates regular inspections of County facilities with the Safety Officer and insurance representatives to detect existing or potential accident and health hazards or conditions which could present a risk or exposure to liability;
• Participates in the investigation of accidents and injuries and assists in the preparation of material and evidences for County use in hearings, law suits and insurance investigations;
• Supervises the County’s Safety Officer;
• Serves on the County Safety Committee and Workplace Violence Taskforce;
• Serves on the 207- Panel;
• May represent the County in the community or in industry safety groups and programs;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:   Thorough knowledge of risk management and risk financing techniques for all lines of insurance; good knowledge of account keeping principles and practices; good knowledge of Workers' Compensation Law; good knowledge of modern safety practices; working knowledge of insurance underwriting terminology, practices and procedures; ability to administer large and varied insurance policies; ability to communicate both orally and in writing; ability to read and interpret insurance policies and laws relating to municipal insurance; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people; tact; courtesy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either

1. Masters degree or higher and four (4) years’ experience with a public or private agency, involving safety loss prevention programs or insurance claims, including: claims adjustments, claims settlements, claims negotiations, or related legal research or action; or
2. Bachelor's degree and six (6) years of experience as delineated in (a) above; or
3. Associates degree and eight (8) years of experience as delineated in (a) above; or
4. Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and ten (10) years of experience as delineated in (a) above; or
5. An equivalent combination of training and experience as indicated in a) and b) above.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

12/81; 2/90; 9/97; 4/09; 1/20, 7/22; 9/22

Competitive Class