The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Risk Manager in the City Attorney’s Office!
THE DEPARTMENT
The City Attorney's Office provides the City with the highest caliber legal services and advice, and protects and advances the interests of the City by all legal and ethical means. The department provides legal advice and support to the City Council, City Manager, all City Departments, as well as appointed City Boards and Commissions.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Although the City Attorney’s Office collectively serves as the City’s Risk Manager, this is the first time the role has been established as a stand-alone position. As the inaugural Risk Manager, the incumbent will have the unique opportunity to shape and develop the program. Under the general direction of the City Attorney, the Risk Manager administers the general liability claims program, provides advice and education to City officials and employees on risk avoidance, retention, and transfer, and serves as the City’s liaison to the Bay Cities Joint Powers Insurance Authority.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is an experienced and forward-thinking risk management professional with a strong foundation in government claims, public liability litigation, and insurance practices within public agencies. They bring experience working with attorneys on liability cases, guiding mediation strategies, and supporting the City’s interests in settlement negotiations. The successful candidate is well-versed in general liability and property insurance, public agency risk pools, and contractual risk transfer, and is able to analyze complex data, assess financial impacts, and make informed recommendations to identify emerging risk issues.
Strengths include being proactive, analytical, and solutions-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to strengthen risk management practices across an entire organization. The ideal candidate will provide clear, practical advice to departments citywide, review contracts with a critical eye toward risk exposure, and recommend strategies to avoid, reduce, or transfer risk. The ideal candidate is comfortable meeting with a wide variety of groups, serving as the City’s representative on a risk pool board, actively participating in governance, and presenting information in a clear, concise, and accessible manner to a wide range of audiences.
They are highly organized, detail-oriented, and skilled at managing multiple priorities, including reviewing invoices, overseeing work, engaging in case assessments, and navigating mediation processes. The ideal candidate brings strong writing skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently with minimal direction – looking at things with a fresh mindset and consistently seeking better, data-informed approaches. A collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively with a diverse team round out this candidate’s strengths.
While advanced expertise in public agency insurance and risk management terminology is ideal, candidates with strong transferable skills and the ability to quickly learn the nuances of municipal risk management are encouraged to apply.
THE RISK MANAGER
This is a supervisory position in which incumbents direct, coordinate and perform the work related to managing the City’s claims through the Bay Cities Joint Powers Insurance Authority and outside counsel conducting legal work on behalf of the city. Incumbents work collaboratively with attorneys within the City Attorney’s Office and with staff from City Departments related to liability claims made against the City. This classification is distinguished from other classifications responsible for occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation by the absence of those program elements. Areas of responsibility include:
- Plans, organizes, develops, supervises and coordinates the operations of the Risk Management Division within the City Attorney’s Office.
- Receives claims, determines if claims meet statutory requirements, sets reserves, and determines who will adjust.
- Performs or facilitates investigations; works with City staff, third-party claims adjusters, attorneys, and subject matter experts to evaluate investigation and determine whether a claim should be accepted or denied.
- Ensures that all statutory time limits and documentation are complied with; represents the City in small claims matters involving tort claims; coordinates with City Attorney's Office staff with regards to claims evolving into litigation.
- Develops and maintains a comprehensive claims management system for making determinations on processing of public liability claims and supervises the processing of City claims, individuals and other agencies.
- Coordinates with attorneys to provide research and recommendations for legal issues concerned with safety and risk management.
- Maintains a complete record system of all claims and related activities.
- Coordinates, prepares and presents studies, reports and agenda items to the City Council and other City boards or teams.
- Studies statutory and regulatory requirements and modifies program components to ensure they meet standards and legislative mandates established by federal and state regulations; analyze the impact of legislative changes.
- Represents the City on the Bay Cities Joint Powers Insurance Authority for general liability.
- Evaluates insurance risks; monitors the City's insurance program including reviewing and approving contracts to reduce risk exposure and to develop accident insurance and indemnification provisions and contacting vendors and consultants regarding insurance requirements; evaluates costs and benefits of alternative coverage; re-negotiates or makes arrangements for coverage; and develops insurance requirements, reviews bids, and recommends policy purchases.
- Supervises, evaluates, and trains staff.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
