RISK MANAGER

City of Huntington Beach; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Twelve paid holidays

General leave with pay

Comprehensive retirement benefits

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

City of Huntington Beach seeks a seasoned Risk Manager to lead the Risk Management Division within the Human Resources Department. You will manage citywide risk programs, oversee workers’ compensation and liability claims, and coordinate with legal, Cal-OSHA, and insurers to minimize exposure.

The ideal candidate has strong communication and relationship-building skills, with experience interpreting laws, developing policies, and delivering training across diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration or related field; master's desirable.
• Five (5) years' professional-level experience in management of a comprehensive risk management program, including at least one (1) year of managerial experience supervising staff.
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record; ARM designation.

Responsibilities

• Supervises staff providing risk analysis, risk management, loss prevention, loss control, and claim settlement services.
• Reviews and oversees contracts with third-party administrators for workers’ compensation and liability claims; ensures compliance with laws and regulations.
• Coordinates loss control training and directs safety activities to minimize loss exposure.
• Investigates areas of liability and recommends mitigation strategies.
• Serves as liaison with third-party administrators, legal counsel, Cal-OSHA, CalPERS and other insurance staff and agencies.
• Attends court hearings and represents the City in workers’ compensation and liability matters.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Policy development

Training delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration or related field

Master's degree desirable

Job description

Updated 6/4/26 at 8:26 AM Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis. This recruitment may close at any time after that date, once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.

Description

Here in Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we’re looking for the right person to serve as Risk Manager in our Human Resources Department.

The ideal candidate is a confident communicator and relationship builder who can work effectively with executive leadership, department directors, employees, legal counsel, insurers, brokers, and external agencies. They will have experience managing complex claims and insurance programs, interpreting laws and regulations, developing policies and procedures, and delivering training and guidance to diverse stakeholders.

Human Resources Department

Human Resources provides exceptional internal and external customer service in support of the City’s Mission Statement and Core Values. Human Resources supports City departments and employees in all aspects of talent management and development, including recruitment, selection, training, and professional development. Human Resources oversees a variety of operational functions, including employee relations, health and retirement benefits administration, risk management, disability leave and return-to-work management, and classification and compensation.

Risk Management Division

Risk Management develops, administers, and coordinates citywide liability insurance and risk management programs, including workers’ compensation, liability claims administration, loss prevention, and employee safety. These comprehensive services are provided in compliance with mandated Federal and State labor and employment laws, the City of Huntington Beach Charter, Municipal Code, Personnel Rules & Regulations, and the collectively-bargained Memoranda of Understanding.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Manages all City-wide services and activities of the Risk Management Division, including comprehensive risk management, workplace safety and industrial hygiene, third-party loss prevention, self insured, self-administered liability claims, self-insured, self-administered workers’ compensation, risk financing, and safety officer industrial disability retirement programs.
• Supervises staff providing risk analysis, risk management, loss prevention, loss control, and claim settlement services.
• Reviews, oversees, and monitors contracts between the City and third-party administrators for workers’ compensation and liability claims; ensures compliance with contractual terms and conditions, and local, state, federal government codes and regulations.
• Coordinates loss control training and directs safety activities to avoid or reduce loss exposure.
• Investigates areas of liability and recommends the possible extent and strategies for minimization.
• Serves as a liaison with third party administrators, legal counsel, Cal-OSHA, CalPERS and other insurance staff, safety industry organizations, and other public and private agencies as the City's representative.
• Participates in risk/insurance joint powers authorities as the City's representative.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive claims management system for processing public liability claims, including coordinating with third-party claims administrators.
• Provides counseling for employees concerning workers’ compensation and industrial disability retirement benefits.
• Provides consulting expertise to all City departments to assist them with regulatory compliance in their areas of responsibility.
• Directs and maintains in-house management and contract services to determine appropriate risk coverage and loss control techniques.
• Attends court hearings and makes appearances for the City in matters of workers’ compensation and liability property damage.
• Participates in the interactive process to determine the assessment of the job and specific physical or mental limitations of an individual directly related to the need for reasonable work accommodation.
• Formalizes specifications for the purchasing of insurance and other related services.

The preceding duties have been provided as examples of the essential types of work performed by positions within this job classification. The City, at its discretion, may add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.

Skills

Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes:

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business, public administration or other related field. Master's degree desirable.

Experience

Five (5) years' professional-level experience in the management of a comprehensive risk management program, including a minimum of one (1) year of managerial experience supervising professional, technical and support staff.

Licenses/Certifications

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Valid Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation.

Application and Selection Procedure

• An online application must be fully completed.
• Applicants must clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum education, experience, license and/or certification requirements to be considered. Applicants whose qualifications best meet the City’s needs will be invited to participate in a virtual oral examination (weighted 100%) - date of exam is to be determined. (Updated 6/4/26)
• Selection Interview
• Background
• Appointment

Comprehensive Benefit Package

• The SALARY RANGE is composed of seven steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance.
• PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations.
• TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year.
• GENERAL LEAVE with pay of 176 hours is granted to regular employees. After four years' service additional general leave hours are earned, up to 256 hours after fifteen years' service.
• ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 60 hours per calendar year.
• EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PLANS are available for eligible employees to develop their knowledge and abilities.
• GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses.
• RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as a new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13 and has no prior membership in a California public retirement system; is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA. Employees enrolled in CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013 are considered classic members.
• Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2.5% at age 55
• Final Compensation Period 1-year Final Compensation
• Member Contribution Rate 9.0% of Reportable Compensation
• Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2% at age 62
• Final Compensation Period 3-year Final Compensation
• Member Contribution Rate 8.25% of Reportable Compensation (eff. 7/1/23)
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Two voluntary deferred compensation 457 plans are available.
• CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans.
• FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: Employees will have the option of working a 5/40 or 9/80 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. Employees assigned to the Police Department shall retain the option of working the 4/10 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. In order to maintain service to the public, departmental effectiveness, productivity and/or efficiency, a Department Head may assign an employee a different work schedule that is in compliance with the requirements of FLSA with City Manager approval.
• NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.

For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDINGS Click on the links under "Management Employees' Organization".

01

• Yes
• No

02

• Indicate the years of experience you possess in the management of a comprehensive risk management program.
  • None
  • Less than five (5) years
  • At least five (5) years but less than seven (7) years
  • Seven (7) years or more

03

• Yes
• No
• Required Question