Howard County: Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.   Howard County Government: Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.   What are we looking for? We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.   What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government: * We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.   * We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!   * We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.  * As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work. POSITION SUMMARY: This is advanced professional level administrative work assisting the Risk and Safety Manager in managing the activities of the Risk and Safety Division and supervising and/or leading one or more major functional programs.   CLASS DESCRIPTION: Performs advanced professional level administrative work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior.  Work includes the analysis and coordination of complex administrative matters; researching, reviewing, and analyzing legislative, budget, personnel, purchasing and policy issues; and supervising one or more major functional office programs or activities.  Include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Management Level Administrative Support: * Responsible for serving as the senior specialist managing the day-to-day administration of all insurance and contract-related activities of the Risk Management program.  * May represent the Risk and Safety Manager during his/her  absence or as otherwise required. * Support the Risk and Safety Manager  by providing assistance with or directly managing special projects. * Author Policies and Procedures, memorandums, etc. which provide direction to County departments for issues related to risk management. * Supervise records management and data management functions for the Risk Management office. * Maintain a working knowledge of all specialties within risk management including but not limited to Maryland workers' compensation; general liability, auto liability and property damage exposures and claim investigation techniques; commercial insurance procurement and coverage; and contract review. Claim Handling: * Supervise the investigation of new claims by interviewing County personnel and gathering evidence either by telephone, email or on-site investigation in the field, refer claims as appropriate to the Third-Party Claim Administrator (TPA) and notify appropriate County personnel of the loss. * Assess, research, and analyze numerous contracts. Document the appropriate next steps while effectively and professionally communicating outcomes to key stakeholders. * Mitigate financial loss by identifying, hiring and supervising appropriate outside resources such as water damage remediation contractors and forensic experts. (Daily/Ongoing) * Respond to the scene of incidents where property damage was incurred. Lead or coordinate the investigation as appropriate. Take photographs to be used as evidence. (Occasionally) * Assist management in the developing and deployment of RFPs for insurance carriers and Third-Party Administrators. (TPAs) * Closely direct and supervise the TPA's property/liability adjuster to assure quality of claims investigation and handling and to provide settlement authority. Act as a liaison with TPA adjuster for all matters relating to Property and Liability claims. (Ongoing) * Assess claims for appropriate compensability decisions, make recommendations to the Risk and Safety Manager and OHR Administrator on first part complaints. Confer with the Office of Law on complex issues.  * Convey Risk Management's position regarding claims to citizens and County employees by telephone and correspondence. Ensure notification is made OHR Administrator, Chief Administrative Officer, Office of Law, and officials in response to citizen disputes involving claim decisions.  * Identify potentially large exposure claims and notify excess insurance carrier of them in a timely manner. Provide status updates and make claim reserve changes as necessary.  * Perform annual report on liability claims, costs, and trends gleaned from one year to the next.  Litigation Responsibilities: * Prepare a detailed synopsis of each claim submitted to the County Solicitor's office for defense and assist as needed during the litigation process. (Ongoing). * Analyze and discuss claims with high exposure, questionable liability, sensitive matters or requests for settlement authority with the Risk and Safety Manager. Prepare claim summaries for review by the Risk Management Committee. (Ongoing) * Attend hearings, mediations and trials as a representative of the County with authority to make settlement offers. * Identify claims that have subrogation potential and direct investigations to obtain all necessary evidence. Coordinate with the TPA, the Office of Law and the State's Attorney's Office to prepare necessary documents for subrogation to recover County funds from persons responsible for damages. Track and deposit subrogation checks.  Administrative Duties: * Supports the Risk and Safety Manager in managing the division's annual budget; administers division and county-wide insurance budget and monitors expenditures. * Supports the Risk and Safety Manager in the administering of the Risk Management Information System. * Act as a resource to County employees for general problem solving for matters related to auto accidents, damage to County property and citizen injuries and damages. * Draft responses to Public Information Act requests related to the County's liability claims. Ensure review by Risk and Safety Manager, OHR Administrator and Office of Law. * Assist with gathering and maintaining underwriting data for insurance renewals, self-insurance applications and cost allocation.  * Partner with the actuarial vendors to produce the Annual Loss Reserve and Funding Analysis. * Create and maintain statistical reports and databases for the Risk Management Program including but not limited to first-party automobile damage and property damage. Update and enhance data collection efforts to keep pace with technology.  * Review and interpret contracts and oversee the process "Certificates of Insurance" for County departments and allied agencies as requested.  * Provide day-to-day management of insurance procurement schedules ensuring timely review of renewals, competitive evaluation of rates for cost containment and appropriate insurance levels. * Ensure schedule of commercial and self-insured projections/insurance remain up to date track COI for appropriate updating from vendors, * Develop forms and procedures related to the Risk Management Program.  * Provide training and education to all County departments and allied agencies for compliance with sound risk management practices. This may include designing programs and presentations for on-site training with County employees at all professional levels. (Ongoing) * Provide general assistance to the Risk Management staff as special projects or urgent events arise and share general office coverage duties as needed. * This job will supervise staff during Risk and Safety Manager's absences. Will supervise subordinate insurance personnel and interns. Participate in the interview and selection process for new staff. * This position may be required to report to work outside of regular business hours and may be assigned to stand-by status on a rotating basis. Bachelor's Degree and four (4) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.  PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: * Class C Maryland Driver's License or equivalent issued by state of residence. * Experience working within a broad Risk Management program with strong experience in managing day to day insurance operations.  * Experience using computerized methods to research and present information.  * Experience with formal presentations and training. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.  * The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  * The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  * Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  * The employee must be able to travel to and move around job sites independently. Job sites may involve uneven or rough terrain, climbing stairs and ladders.  * While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.  * The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles.  * The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. * This position may be required to report to work outside of regular business hours and may be assigned to stand-by status on a rotating basis. LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY: * Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  * Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  * Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.  * Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. * Knowledge of methods and techniques employed in gathering and compiling data. Ability to use computerized methods to research information. * Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. * Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  * Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables