DescriptionA 6% salary increase will occur October 2024. Under general supervision, to provide staff support to the Human Resource Department in the coordination of county wide safety programs, insurance benefits, workers’ compensation; to perform safety inspections; to coordinate safety training; to develop and maintain records on safety, accidents, injuries, and claims; to provide technical support to Administrative Office professional staff; and perform related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:The Risk and Safety Specialist is a technical, para-professional level classification utilized in the Administrative Office under general supervision of the Deputy County Administrative Officer and/or their designee. Incumbents will perform routine duties relating to the County’s risk management, insurance, liability, and worker’s compensation programs and will be responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to execute various risk programs. Incumbents are expected to provide technical assistance, support and resources relating to employee benefit and risk management programs. Incumbents work with considerable independence within an established framework of policy and procedure and carry out technical-level risk and benefits administration duties with a high consequence of error.
Example of DutiesDuties include but are not limited to those described below. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.
•Assists in the coordination, developing and monitoring of the County insurance programs and policies, including employee benefits, workers’ compensation, disability, Affordable Care Act, general liability, risk management, safety and other County insurance programs, as assigned.
•Conducts a variety of safety inspections throughout the County, ensuring compliance with Federal and State and safety regulations and standards.
•Receive and make initial assessment of insurance claims and makes recommendations as needed.
•Participates in joint powers authority safety program and attends joint powers authority safety meetings.
•Work closely with third party administrators on risk management and safety-related issues.
•Acts as a liaison between the County and employees, administrators and providers regarding insurance programs and benefits administration.
•Coordinates the processing of workers’ compensation claims for submission to a third-party claims administrator.
•Ensures accurate and timely coordination of workers’ compensation claims.
•May coordinate and/or schedule worker’s compensation interviews and depositions as needed.
•Evaluates workstation ergonomics, developing recommendations and assists employees with making needed changes.
•Conducts interactive process meetings.
•Conducts investigations of reports of incident hazards and County property damage as needed.
•Coordinates open enrollment of health insurance, Section 125 Plan (flexible spending) and other insurance or employee benefit programs.
•Independently prepares correspondence and reports.
•Develops and coordinates special programs to promote employee safety and welfare.
•Trains County employees and departments on workers’ compensation, workplace safety and other related topics, as assigned.
•Oversee the Affordable Care Act requirements.
•Responsible for the preparation and distribution of minutes of meetings related County’s health insurance meetings or committees.
•May coordinates and oversees the County’s vehicle license policy and Pull Notice programs.
•May assist in Request for Proposal (RFP) process within areas of program responsibility related to employee benefits and insurance.
•Act as County liaison between departments, medical providers and employees in scheduling non-industrial Fitness for Duty examinations and ensures all appropriate paperwork and medical records are submitted in a timely manner, at the County level.
•Coordinates and ensures appropriate processing of Industrial Disability retirements.
•In case of employee death, completes and submits death notification forms to appropriate agencies and notifies dependents of potential benefits.
•Serves as a resource on safety issues.
•Networks with a variety of groups, including employees of the County, vendors, third-party administrators and various committees on safety issues.
•Provided technical support to Administrative Office professional staff.
•May assist in other clerical and front office/desk reception duties in the Administrative Office.
•Completes special assignments and projects as needed.
•Assists in preparation of risk/insurance-related aspects of the departmental budget.
Minimum QualificationsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Any combination of education, training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be:
Education: Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth grade.
Experience: Two years of responsible clerical/technical public contact experience involving one of the following risk management; worker’s compensation; benefits, insurance or claims administration; or workplace safety; OR Three years of full-time experience performing complex technical or clerical work including explaining policies, regulations, and procedures, checking documents for accuracy and conformance with established guidelines, performing data entry, and processing forms and records
Experience Substitution: Completion of one year (30 semester units) or more college coursework in business, human resources, risk management, public administration, or a closely related field may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.
License: Possession of a valid California operator’s license issued by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
Special Requirements:
1 )Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License;
2) Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check.
3) Ability to travel in-county and out-of-county to attend trainings and continuing education activities.
Desirable Qualifications: Experience working as a San Benito County Department Safety Representative (DSR) or with an outside agency safety program in the capacity of as a DSR (or equivalent) coordinating and providing training for employee.
Knowledge Of/Ability ToKnowledge of: General operation of computer equipment and word processing including associated business software; general insurance, claims transactions, and basic terminology; health insurance and enrollment practices; workers’ compensation procedures, regulations, and requirements; methods and techniques of information gathering and interviewing; record keeping methods and administrative support functions; office methods and practices; procedures, supplies
and equipment; proper English usage, spelling and punctuation; basic arithmetic; numeric and alphabetic filing systems, effective training methods and techniques.
Ability to: Maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information; exercise tact and sound judgement with claimants, insurance representatives and claims administrators, employees, department management and the public; effectively represent the County Administrative Office with dealing with other County staff, the public, vendors, and other government agencies; deal effectively with a wide variety of personalities and situations with tact, diplomacy, maturity, poise, and firmness; exercise sound judgment when acting upon own initiative; interpret and apply county policies, ordinances, rules, and regulations; maintain and safeguard confidential and highly sensitive information, records, and documents; understand and correctly follow oral and written instructions; communicate effectively and professionally in writing and through the use of electronic communication methods such as email and presentation materials; demonstrate professional oral communication skills both in person, in group settings and on the phone; develop and effectively present training content, written materials and visual aids in various training settings, analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; use appropriate judgment in recognizing and exercising the scope and limit of authority; maintain accurate records; perform a variety of safety and insurance risk management related investigations and studies, organize data, and develop recommendations regarding findings; organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines; follow workplace safety policies and procedures and operate a motor vehicle.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment: Primarily works in an office environment which requires mobility and dexterity to work in a standard office environment, and use standard office equipment, including performing filing, data entry, keying, and sitting at a computer for extended periods; hearing and speech to communicate orally, in person, on the phone, one-on-one, in groups and to give large presentations; vision to read up close and far away, read handwritten, printed material, and computer screen; lift and carry objects for distances required to accomplish the tasks occasionally stand at hand; lift, carry and or manipulate papers, files and other equipment; climb stairs or step stool, safely operate a County vehicle.
Selection Process: All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.
Disaster Service Workers: All San Benito County employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 § 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees, are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following significant emergency or disaster.
SAN BENITO COUNTY BENEFITS FOR CONFIDENTIAL/CONFIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES (This is meant to be an overview of benefits only. For full benefit terms and conditions, please see MOU)
Employees in regular, full-time positions will be eligible to participate in the following employee benefits:
Pay Day: Employees are paid bi-weekly.
Insurance Deductions: The insurance and benefits deductions will take place bi-monthly, normally the first two pay periods of the month. Bank/Credit union and 457 Retirement Deferrals deductions will take place bi-weekly.
Vacation: Based on continued years of service. Newly hired C/CM employees may be eligible for higher vacation accrual rate for previous public sector experience (verification required).Maximum accruals may apply depending on the bargaining unit.
- 5 to 9 years of service = 15 days per year
- 10 to 14 years of service = 18 days per year
- 15 + years of service = 20 days per year
Administrative Leave: Management employees receive 80 hours of administrative leave per calendar year. Forty (40) unused hours can be paid out at the end of the calendar year. Administrative leave is pro-rated.
Holidays: 13.5 holidays (including 4 floating) for most employees.
Sick Leave: 15 days per year. Maximum accruals apply.
Medical Plan: Comprehensive CalPERS medical plans available for full-time employees. Employees appointed to a regular position at a time base of 50% or higher are eligible to participate.
Increase County contributions to medical effective January 2024.
a. Employee Only: $750.00, which would include the PEMHCA Minimum
b. Employee Plus One: $1,250.00, which would include the PEMHCA Minimum
c. Family: $1,515.00, which would include the PEMHCA Minimum
The County's contribution above shall be prorated for positions that are less than .90 FTE rounding to the nearest one-quarter time.
HRA: Employee Only Medical Plan: $1,500 maximum
Employee Plus One Medical Plan: $3,000 maximum.
Employee Plus Family Medical Plan: $4,000 maximum.
Employees who are eligible to receive a "cash in lieu of' enrollment in the County's medical plan shall receive a taxable payment of $150 monthly (pro-rated into biweekly installments of $69.23).
Dental Plan: County contributes $30 to Delta Dental plan for full-time employees and their families.
Vision Plan: The County pays for employee coverage and the employee can pay for dependent coverage. This benefit is available to full-time employees only.
Employee Assistance Program: The County provides confidential short-term counseling services to employees and dependents.
Life Insurance/AD&D: County pays for a $20,000 BASIC life insurance policy for each employee. Voluntary life insurance plans available.
Disability Insurance: Confidential and Management groups participate in the State Disability Insurance.
Credit Union: Membership to the Santa Clara Federal Credit Union is available to San Benito County employees.
Deferred Compensation: Employees may participate in tax-deferred retirement savings. Three 457 plans are available. Employees may rollover funds from prior 401k or 457 accounts. IRS limits apply.
Retirement: Regular employees will be enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system in accordance with the Public Employees' Retirement Law. Employee contributions vary according to bargaining unit.
All New Miscellaneous (non-Safety) employees enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system participate in the full formula of 2% at 62. Miscellaneous employees participate in Social Security in addition to CalPERS.
Supplemental Insurance: Employees may participate in various AFLAC plans such as accident, disability, and cancer insurances.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Health and Dependent Care available, pre-tax deductions.
01
Please be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. Your responses to the questions must be supported by both the work experience listed on your application as well as your resume. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on the eligible list. Answers such as "see resume" or "see above" will remove you from consideration. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental questionnaire responses.
02
I understand all County employees will be required to take an Oath of Office and will be called upon to act as Disaster Service Workers, when needed.
03
Qualifying Options: Indicate the option under which you qualify for this position.
- Options 1: Two years of responsible clerical/technical public contact experience involving one of the following risk management; worker's compensation; benefits, insurance or claims administration; or workplace safety
- Option 2: Three years of full-time experience performing complex technical or clerical work including explaining policies, regulations, and procedures, checking documents for accuracy and conformance with established guidelines, performing data entry, and processing forms and records
- I do not qualify under any of the options described above.
04
Please indicate your highest level of education.
- Did not complete high school or equivalent
- High School, GED, or equivalent
- Some College
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or higher
05
Have you completed one year (30 semester units) or more college coursework in business, human resources, risk management, public administration, or a closely related field?
06
Do you currently possess a valid California operator's license issued by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles? Note: If you do not currently have a valid California driver's license, please be aware that you will need to obtain one by the time of appointment.
07
Are you willing to travel both in-county and out-of-county for trainings and continuing education activities?
08
Have you worked as a San Benito County Department Safety Representative (DSR) or in a similar safety role within the county?
09
If you answered yes to question 8, please describe your duties or responsibilities as a Department Safety Representative.
10
Do you have experience working with an outside agency's safety program in a capacity similar to a Department Safety Representative (DSR)?
11
If you answered yes to question 10, please describe your duties or role with the outside agency's safety program in a capacity similar to a Department Safety Representative (DSR).
12
Describe your experience in Risk Management, Worker's Compensation and Managing Workplace Safety. If you do not possess this type of experience, indicate "N/A."
13
Describe a situation where you had to explain complex policies, regulations, or procedures to a team or group with varying levels of understanding. If you do not possess this type of experience, indicate "N/A."
14
Describe your experience in benefits, insurance and claims administration, include details on your clerical or technical work, such as explaining policies, checking document accuracy, data entry, and processing forms. If you do not possess this type of experience, indicate "N/A."
Required Question
Closing Date/Time: 9/2/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
