Risk Manager

City of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Barbara Finance Department is seeking a dynamic Risk Manager to lead risk management and insurance programs. You will supervise the risk team, oversee Workers’ Compensation and general liability claims, and coordinate with carriers, legal counsel, and city departments to limit risk exposure and safeguard employees and residents.

Hybrid schedule available; the role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a collaborative approach to manage a diverse portfolio of risks

Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years of professional, technical, and supervisory experience in the administration and adjudication of Workers' Compensation, General Liability, Property and Casualty, and similar claims.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public administration or a closely related field.
• Certification as a Risk Manager is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on all risk management and insurance programs.
• Manage and administer the City’s risk management programs including Workers’ Compensation, general liability, and property and casualty claims.
• Oversee budgets for Workers’ Compensation and general liability programs.
• Collaborate with third-party administrators, legal counsel, and City management on claims adjudication.

Skills

Knowledge of federal, state, local law

Claims administration

OSHA compliance

Budgeting

Communication

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Supervisory skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Financial information systems

Job description

OUR COMMUNITY

Santa Barbara is among the world's most desirable places to work and live. Quietly nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara represents the essence of Southern California -- the art and culture of a metropolitan city with the heart and hospitality of a small, beautiful coastal town. Located just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara provides a unique living environment. The City offers its approximately 90,000 residents a year-round mild climate with an average temperature in the 70s, magnificent beaches, mountains and parks within minutes of a bustling downtown.

Among the City's many amenities are excellent healthcare services, abundant shopping and dining, harbor facilities, a municipal golf course and a newly renovated municipal airport. Institutions of higher learning include the University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, Westmont College, Antioch University, and Brooks Institute of Photography. With so many choices of restaurants, cultural events, outdoor recreations and leisure activities, Santa Barbara offers something for every taste and lifestyle. Santa Barbara is a truly a magnificent and unique place to live and work.

CITY GOVERNMENT

Santa Barbara is managed by the Council/City Administrator form of government. City government services are provided by fourteen departments: Airport, City Administrator, City Attorney, Community Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Library, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Works, Sustainability & Resilience and Waterfront. The City Administrator is also the appointed City Clerk/Treasurer. Santa Barbara has 1,127 full-time equivalent employees, a $724 million budget for Fiscal Year 2027, and nine recognized bargaining units. The seven-member City Council includes a Mayor, who is elected at-large, and six council members, who are elected by district.

The City provides a full scope of services to the community, including public safety (fire and police), library, parks, recreation, planning, engineering, water, storm drain, refuse, and wastewater; and includes a municipal airport, golf course, and harbor.

Santa Barbara serves as the county seat as well as the county's financial and retail center. Research and development, high tech, and light industry businesses play an important role in Santa Barbara's economy. Year-round tourism also produces jobs and revenue to the City.

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive.

The mission of the Finance Department is to provide financial guidance to City Council and departments and manage the City’s financial operations.

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara Finance Department is seeking a dynamic and strategicRisk Manager. Under administrative direction and reporting to the Finance Director, this position provides expert guidance on all risk management and insurance programs, manages and administers the City’s risk management programs, including Workers’ Compensation, general liability, and property and casualty insurance claims. Responsibilities include evaluating, procuring, and renewing insurance programs; administering employee workplace safety and training programs, wellness, and training initiatives; maintaining loss and self-insured retention records; and coordinating insurance and indemnity provisions. The Risk Manager also oversees operational and claims budgets for Workers’ Compensation and general liability programs, serves as a liaison with third-party administrators, legal counsel, City management, and other stakeholders in claims adjudication, and performs related duties as assigned.

The Risk Management team consists of five full-time positions, including the Risk Manager who supervises two Risk Analyst II positions and two Risk Analyst I positions. This industry professional will serve as a key member of Santa Barbara’s leadership team, partnering with staff in other departments to limit risk exposure and ensure the safety of City employees and community members. The Risk Manager should have an adaptive and flexible management style able to work with diverse stakeholders with varying levels of knowledge and effectively multi-task to address competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

The Risk Manager serves as a voting member of the Joint Powers Authority for California Cities Excess Liability (ACCEL). The Authority is a group of medium-size California cities self-insuring their catastrophic losses. Each member city has a representative on the Board of Directors. The Board and its committees are responsible for deciding the risks the Authority will underwrite, monitoring the costs of large claims, and arranging financial programs.

Hybrid/Flexible Work Schedule:

This position has the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule. schedule options. Schedules are dependent upon operational needs and are subject to change. Details of teleworking considerations can be addressed during the interview process.

Salary Information:

The current salary range for the Risk Manager classification is $144,161.94 - $175,229.86 annually. The revised salary range of $159,140 - $193,434 annually, as reflected above, is pending City Council approval.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Risk Manager is a division management level classification, having broad responsibility for a diverse range of claims, safety, and insurance management functions. This position is distinguished from the Budget Manager and General Services Manager positions by its greater breadth of responsibility for risk management and safety administration functions, knowledge of statutory and claims management requirements, and third-party administrative functions. The Risk Manager has lesser responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day functions of the department than the Assistant Finance Director and Controller.

Knowledgeof:

• Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations and standards applicable to Workers' Compensation (including public safety personnel, including industrial disability retirements), general liability, employee safety, environmental management, and related health and safety employee benefit programs, and eligibility provisions.
• Claims administration and management of third-party administrators, coordinating with the City Attorney’s Office, city departments and insurance carriers.
• Labor Code provisions related to safe work practices, such as labor code 4850, the Americans With Disability Act (ADA) and related non-discrimination in employment practices.
• Occupational and Safety and Health (OSHA) provisions and ensuring Cal/OSHA compliance.
• City Municipal Code and ordinances related to the acceptance and settlement of general liability claims.
• Policies, practices, and methods for developing and administering employee health and welfare benefit programs and occupational safety programs.
• Principles of Tort law and public liability; claims management practices.
• Principles, practices and terminology used in claims management and claims adjudication; common medical and physical diagnoses for work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses as well as work restrictions and limitations.
• Municipal budgeting practices.
• Self-insurance regulations; basic methods, procedures, and requirements related to vocational rehabilitation programs.
• Research methods and statistical techniques and applications.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Project management principles.
• Supervisory principles and performance evaluation practices; employee motivation techniques.
• Negotiating methods.

Skills:

• Operate personal computer hardware and use financial information systems and related word processing, database, and spreadsheet software programs; operate a calculator.
• Operate a motor vehicle.

Ability to:

• Develop and administer Risk Management Division goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Plan, organize, and prepare risk management and safety records and reports and meet statutory and internal deadlines.
• Interpret, explain, and apply complex federal, State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances regulating workplace health and safety.
• Analyze complicated Workers' Compensation and general liability claims issues and problems, evaluate alternatives, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Plan, coordinate and monitor effective employee training programs.
• Support the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and emergency responses and disaster recovery efforts.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive administrative and financial reports.
• Select, train, supervise, coordinate and evaluate staff.
• Work cooperatively with staff, management, City officials, Joint Powers officials, committee representatives, third party administrators, contractors, vendors, claimants, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Make public presentations.
• Exercise judgment with general policy guidelines.
• Work independently.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five (5) or more years of professional, technical, and supervisory experience in the administration and adjudication of Workers' Compensation, General Liability, Property and Casualty, and similar claims, and the administration of environmental management and safety programs.

Education and/or Training:

Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public administration or a closely related field.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

A valid Class C California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy. The Risk Manager is expected to attend periodic meetings throughout California to represent Santa Barbara in various professional organizations and insurance-related meetings.

Certification as a Risk Manager, such as Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Associate Risk Management Professional (ARMP), Insurance Education Association (IEA), or an equivalent professional or vocational institution, is desirable.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or \"See Resume\" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

There is currently one (1)vacancy within the Finance Department.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026.