WORKER'S COMPENSATION AND SAFETY MANAGER

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed charm with a breathtaking art museum, top-flight cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Reporting to the Employee Benefits Director, the Worker’s Compensation and Safety Manager directs the Worker’s Compensation and Safety Section, including third-party administrator (TPA) claim management activity and citywide safety programs, defenses for litigation and compliance with state and federal laws, standards, and reporting requirements.

WORKER’S COMPENSATION AND SAFETY PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

• Plan, develop, and maintain an efficient delivery system for the Worker’s Compensation and Safety programs, including support for City’s cross department safety committee, the safety glasses program, annual safety reports, risk assessments, and injured employee Worker’s Compensation benefits.
• Oversee and audit the contract terms related to Worker’s Compensation benefits – which is outsourced to a TPA – to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with regulatory agencies, i.e., the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Worker's Compensation Chapter 102, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Public Employee Safety and Health standards, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), contracts, and established City practices.
• Provide ongoing support and assistance to the Office of the City Attorney regarding Worker’s Compensation subrogated and litigated issues.
• Coordinate and liaise with City departments by cultivating and expanding safety awareness loss and risk control activities, overseeing the Return to Work (RTW) Program and directing the Disabled Employee Placement Program (DEPP).
• Provide support to the Employes' Retirement System (ERS) Duty Disability Retirement process.
• Direct and lead strategic discussions and initiatives that pertain to the administration of the City’s worker’s compensation program, claim processes and litigation efforts.
• Develop and navigate relationships with medical providers and programs that support injured workers.
• Develop and implement reporting tools for tracking Worker’s Compensation and Safety Risk Assessments statistics for loss control and payments.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for compliance with Worker’s Compensation and Safety Occupational Standards.
• Monitor and recommend changes to legislative bills and initiatives that pertain to Worker’s Compensation.
• Oversee responses to open records requests that pertain to Worker’s Compensation.
• Supervise the management and organization of the City’s complex Worker’s Compensation records program.

• Provide daily supervision for a team of Worker’s Compensation staff, including a Claims Specialist, a Claim Analyst, a Paralegal Lead, Paralegal, and other personnel.
• Develop, coordinate, and implement training programs, in conjunction with the City’s Risk Manager and Safety Officer, for Worker’s Compensation and Safety for internal staff and City departments.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

The Worker’s Compensation and Safety Manager must be willing and able to do the following:

• Work beyond standard business hours on occasion to meet departmental needs.
• Perform light physical work, including exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to lift and move objects, standing, walking, and performing repetitive motions.
• File a statement of economic interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.

1. Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, health and safety management, occupational health or safety, risk management, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Five years of progressively responsible claims, safety and risk management experience in a high-volume insurance environment, including two years of related supervisory experience.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Public sector experience.
• Occupational health and safety experience.
• Law degree from an accredited college or university.

TECHNICAL

• Ability to learn and apply the Department of Workforce Development' Chapter 102 (“Worker’s Compensation Act”), including its requirements and provisions.
• Knowledge of DSPS Public Employee Safety and Health standards.
• Knowledge of OSHA and EPA safety regulations and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of risk management principles.
• Broad knowledge of human resources, management, and governmental best practices.
• Project management knowledge and skills.
• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Ability to read and understand complex documents such as laws, policies, and technical publications.
• Knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and accounting to be able to monitor payments and control losses.
• Knowledge of the capabilities of information technology to improve operations.
• Skill in using computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, personal organization, and team collaboration software.

SUPERVISORY

• Ability to assign duties, set performance standards, monitor work in progress, evaluate performance, and make hiring recommendations.
• Ability to effectively provide guidance and training and coach team members to success.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL

• Written communication skills to compose well-crafted and error-free policies, reports, and correspondence.
• Verbal skills to clearly convey information to managers, staff, customers, outside agencies, and City officials.
• Presentation skills to represent the department before various audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with direct reports, colleagues, City officials and staff, other agencies, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team-oriented environment with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONALISM

• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems, decision-making skills, and sound judgment.
• Ability to plan and organize work, manage changeable priorities, and meet deadlines. 
• Ability to represent the department and the City of Milwaukee with the utmost professionalism, honesty, and integrity.
• Ability to perform well under pressure and remain calm.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and information security.
• Ability to provide responsible stewardship of City resources.
• Commitment to professional development and staying apprised of best practices in Worker’s Compensation and Safety management.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1JX) is $102,938-$117,177 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $106,027-$120,692 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• Applications and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO Code = 102

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.