Liability & Insurance Manager

Description The County of Santa Barbara's County Executive Office is currently accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Liability & Insurance Manager (Risk & Safety Manager II job classification) in the Risk Management Division.

This position is at-will and exempt from civil service provisions.

The current vacancy is in Santa Barbara with the ability for the incumbent to discuss a long-term hybrid telework schedule contingent upon the needs of the department.

The Liability and Insurance Manager leads liability claims administration and oversees the County's insurance portfolio within the Risk Management Division.

This position supervises key staff and manages complex claims involving property damage, bodily injury, and third-party liability.

Serving as the primary liaison with County Counsel, outside legal counsel, and PRISM (the County's excess insurance JPA), the Manager supports litigation strategy, trial preparation, and represents the County in legal or administrative proceedings as needed.

Key responsibilities include managing insurance renewals, reviewing contracts for insurance and risk transfer compliance, and analyzing loss trends to inform Countywide risk mitigation efforts.

This position also acts as the County's subject matter expert on liability and insurance coverage and may serve as Risk Manager during absences.

The Department & Division: The Risk Management Division of the County Executive Office ensures that the County's human, fiscal and capital assets are preserved and protected in an efficient and effective manner allowing other Departments to fulfill their mission.

Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic professional with a strong background in public sector claims management, litigation coordination, and insurance program administration.

They bring a balance of analytical skills and interpersonal effectiveness, enabling them to lead a team, work closely with legal counsel, and negotiate settlements that protect the County's interests.

This individual is detail-oriented yet able to see the big picture, capable of interpreting and applying statutes, regulations, and case law to evolving liability issues.

They are comfortable representing the County in legal and administrative settings, experienced in reviewing contracts for risk transfer, and adept at developing policies to mitigate exposure.

The ideal candidate thrives in a leadership role, communicates with clarity and professionalism, and brings sound judgment to high-stakes decision-making.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is the second manager level in the Risk & Safety Management job family series and manages a mid-size program within a department or division or multiple small programs.

Incumbents establish annual goals and priorities, influence the direction for new or revised services, programs, processes, standards, or operational plans, based upon the County's long-term strategies.

Positions have a direct impact on the work unit or program and may impact the entire department.

Examples of Duties These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

* Manages the investigation, evaluation, and resolution of liability claims filed against the County.

* Serves at the primary contact for County Counsel and outside legal counsel on litigated claims; assists in claim defense and trial preparation; represents the County in court and before administrative bodies; and may serve as an expert witness on behalf of the County.

* Participates in claim review team meetings; establishes, reviews, and adjusts financial reserves for claims as necessary.

* Negotiates and settles claims within established authority; recommends settlement strategies for claims exceeding authority levels.

* Investigates and pursues third-party liability; tenders indemnification and defense to third parties in accordance with contractual agreements.

* Serves as the primary contact for County property losses; acts as liaison between the County, insurance carriers, adjusters, and affected departments.

* Oversees completion of insurance program renewal applications and related documentation.

* Reviews contracts, leases, and purchasing agreements to ensure compliance with the County's risk transfer standards.

* Consults with County departments regarding loss history and risk exposure; recommends policies and practices to reduce liability.

* Supervises staff, and is responsible for conducting performance evaluations, employee development, hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.

* Analyzes new statuses, regulations, and case law to assess implications for County liabilities and risk exposures.

* Assists the Risk Manager in identifying loss trends and developing strategies, policies, or programs to mitigate future risks.

* Acts on behalf of the Risk Manager during planned and unplanned absences.

* Other related duties within the scope of the job classification.

Employment Standards Education and Experience The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience.

A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be: * Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in occupational health, safety engineering, insurance/risk management, business administration or related field and, * Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience with liability claims, including investigation, assessment, and settlement practices, with at least two (2) years as a supervisor or manager in this field.

International degrees will require documentation from an evaluation service that demonstrates meeting the U.S.

education standards.

You may find a list of evaluation services at Please note that it may take time for the evaluation services to complete their review and provide documentation.

For full description of the job classification including the knowledge and abilities for the position, click here.

Licenses and Certificates Possession and maintenance of a valid California driver's license and the ability to meet automobile insurability requirements of the County or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as a condition of continued employment.

Supplemental Information APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS * Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

* Selection Interview.

Select finalists will be invited to an interview with a panel of subject matter experts.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.

Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process.

Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting.

We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits.

For more information, click here.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: * Retirement reciprocity * Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service.

Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance.

The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates.

The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

For questions, please contact: Raquel Martinez, Talent Acquisition Manager at Retirement Plans * Generous County Defined Benefit Plan * Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan * Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans * For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and Health Benefits * Choice of dental, vision and medical plans.

In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums * On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents * Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members * Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits * Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!

* For more information on our health benefits, please visit: Paid Time Off * Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment * Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement * Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below) * Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting * For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below) Miscellaneous Benefits * County Paid Term Life Insurance * County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance * Childcare and Employee Discounts * Relocation Assistance may apply * Flexible work schedule may apply * For more information on all of these benefits, please visit: Compensation Summary * To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit: * This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions.

Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.

01 How many years of full-time experience do you have as a supervisor or manager in the related field that includes performance evaluation, direction of work, and oversight of responsibilities?

* 2 or more years of full-time supervisory or managerial experience * 1-2 years of full-time supervisory or managerial experience * Less than one year of full-time supervisory or managerial experience * None.

I do not have supervisory or managerial experience.

02 Do you have professional experience with liability claims in a public sector agency?

* Yes * No 03 International degrees will require documentation from an evaluation service that demonstrates meeting the U.S.

education standards.

You may find a list of evaluation services at Please note that it may take time for the evaluation services to complete their review and provide documentation.

This is your only opportunity to provide your documentation.

* I do not have an international degree.

* I have an international degree and have attached the required documents.

* I have an international degree, but do not have the required documents.

I understand that I may not advance in the recruitment process.

04 I understand this is an at-will position and not subject to the Civil Service provisions.

* I understand.

Required Question Employer County of Santa Barbara Address 1226 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, California, 93101 Website