County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction of the Assistant Risk Manager, the Workers’ Compensation Administrator oversees the County’s Workers' Compensation and Return to Work Programs with focus on serving as a resource to departments, provide claims and benefit information and assistance to injured employees, agency/department supervisors, liaisons and managers; and perform other related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This single position classification is located in the Risk Management Unit of the County Administrator's Office reporting to the Assistant Risk Manager. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the administration of the County's day-to-day Workers' Compensation claims program. The incumbent's responsibility for coordinating and providing assistance to all County Workers' Compensation and Return to Work Program representatives and vendors distinguishes this position from any other position located elsewhere within the County.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Participates in the development of County-wide procedures for the day-to-day handling of industrially injured employees.

2. Reviews the determination of compensability of injuries and payment of temporary disability, permanent disability, medical, legal, investigative and other costs under Workers’ Compensation laws.

3. Oversees the County’s Return to Work Program and handling of disability cases to determine the availability of modified/alternate work . within departments.

4. Assists departments in providing accommodation in compliance with Workers’ Compensation and Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.

5. Assists departments with resolving questions and issues pertaining to workers’ compensation claims. May attend Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board hearings or rehabilitation conferences.

6. Manages industrial retirement processes and makes determinations regarding industrial nature of disability for PERS members.

7. Develops and conducts employee and supervisory training programs.

8. Authorizes settlements of claims at the direction of the Assistant Risk Manager or Risk Manager.

9. Provides information to injured employees regarding benefits and procedures; counsels individual employees, managers, supervisors, liaisons, and personnel officers on Workers’ Compensation procedures, disability management and vocational rehabilitation procedures and State and Federal laws regarding the disabled.

10. Provides updates of program progress, trends and evaluation to the Risk Manager, Assistant Risk Manager and Workers’ Compensation Liaison Committee.

11. May prepare and monitor the County’s Workers’ Compensation claims management budget; prepares RFP’s and contracts; oversees audits and cost containment programs.

12. Oversees compliance with internal policies and procedures within County departments and agencies.

13. Prepares and reviews reports and assists departments in determining trends, costs and budget needs, in order to minimize workers’ compensation exposure.

14. Monitors and reviews current and proposed workers’ compensation legislative changes to ensure compliance of stated regulations pertaining to County business practices, policies, and procedures.

15. Recommends and coordinates any revisions or changes to policy and procedures as indicated by laws and regulations.

16. Coordinates and schedules Fitness for Duty medical consultations for non-industrial disabilities and provides appropriate information to employee, doctors and department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) in business administration, accounting, finance, risk management, disability management and occupational safety (other educational backgrounds will be considered on a case by case basis).
AND
Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full-time experience in an administrator's capacity that included Workers' Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, disability management, program monitoring, and analysis responsibilities with a large organization.

License

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Certification:

Possession of Self-Insurance Administrator’s certification desired.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Workers' Compensation laws and related court cases in California.
• Fiscal and budgetary practices, procedures and analyses.
• Principles and practices of project planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Statistical and analytical techniques.
• Contract development and negotiations.
• Medical and legal terminology and medical service specialties.
• State and Federal ADA laws.
• Principles of supervision, management control, staff development and training.
• Word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint) in addition to claims database systems.

Ability to:

• Prepare and present clear and concise correspondence, complex reports and policy recommendations.
• Effectively communicate.
• Organize conflicting work priorities while coordinating multiple projects with deadlines.
• Make decisions and problem solve under stressful conditions.
• Demonstrate leadership and flexibility.
• Exhibit interpersonal sensitivity and deal effectively with County employees.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

IS:mdc ll/9/78
RSS:lfm Rev. 6/3/81
TMD:ab Rev. 4/ll/84
RP:pb Rev. 6/2/88
JH:sw Rev. 3/6/97
0091h.doc
co:updated 6/15/00
Old doc. under: 0091h.doc
New doc. under: 0488.doc
TE:cc Rev./Retitle 8/7/03
[old title: Workers’ Compensation Manager]
CSC Date: 11/12/03

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.