Senior Human Resources/Risk Management Analyst

DEFINITION

Under general direction, provides high-level analytical and strategic support of assigned programs within the Human Resources and Risk Management Department, including risk management and safety administration, employee and labor relations, employee benefits administration, and recruitment and selection; coordinates activities with other programs, sections, divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; ensures work quality and adherence to established federal and state laws, collective bargaining agreements, and City policies and procedures; provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to management; performs the technical and complex tasks relative to human resources and risk management programs; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assignment management personnel.  Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level classification in the Human Resources/Risk Management Analyst series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series.  Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment.  Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform assigned duties.  Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to complete assignments.  Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.  This class is distinguished from the Human Resources/Risk Manager in that the latter has full management and supervisory authority in planning, organizing, and directing the full scope of operations within the department.EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides technical, analytical, and administrative support on matters as assigned; researches, analyzes, and makes recommendations regarding divisional and departmental operations and administrative issues, including services provided, organizational structures, procedures, documents, budgets, and equipment; attends meetings to discuss options and determine approach; conducts surveys and studies related to departmental projects.
• Investigates, documents, verifies, reviews, negotiates, adjusts, rejects, and/or recommends settlement on claims against the City within established guidelines; represents the City in the settlement of liability claims or worker's compensation claims; attends small claims hearings and settlement conferences when necessary; manages subrogation claims and requests restitution pursuing recovery from at-fault parties for damages to City property; participates in managing liability and worker's compensation claims expenditures.
• Participates in the planning, development, implementation and maintenance of the City's self-insurance, liability, and worker's compensation programs; participates in identifying, selecting, implementing, and monitoring programs designed to reduce frequency and severity of loss to City personnel, City property, and private property.
• Assists in the preparation of program, division, and/or department budgets; monitors expenditures; provides cost estimates and analysis for budgeting purposes; prepares requests for proposals; participates in negotiating contracts between the City and contractors; monitors contract compliance. 
• Serves as project manager for assigned projects.
• Interprets complex rules, regulations, contracts, policies, and procedures; applies such interpretation in the performance of assigned responsibilities.
• Prepares and presents formal written and oral staff reports to the City Manager, City Council, department heads, division managers, and other government agencies; plans, organizes, prepares materials, and makes presentations at public meetings; prepares organization and workflow charts, spreadsheets, policies, and procedural manuals.
• Participates in the development and administration of City human resources, risk management and safety, and related projects and programs for City departments and employees; develops and implements new or revised human resources programs, systems, procedures, and methods of operation.
• Designs and implements new employee benefits programs and improvements/enhancements to existing employee benefits programs; coordinates the City's annual benefits fair and benefits open enrollment for employees and retirees; provides consultation to employees, management, and retirees regarding all benefits offered by the City; processes unemployment claims received by the City.
• Designs, implements, and administers recruitment and selection programs; prepares job announcements, advertisements, and other recruitment materials; screens applicants for qualifications; coordinates, designs, and administers job-related selection procedures, including, but not limited to application reviews, written and performance tests, and interviews and assessment techniques; adheres to employment laws regarding recruitment and selection of personnel; coordinates background investigations for prospective employees.
• Participates in classification and compensation studies; responds to, researches, provides data, and conducts compensation surveys; analyzes survey results to determine appropriate compensation levels; develops and updates classification descriptions.
• Maintains effective working relationships with multiple parties, including claimants, employer contacts, employees, medical providers, and legal counsel; responds to the community, outside agencies, and internal departments regarding City programs.
• Establishes and maintains project files, databases, record keeping, and filing systems.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of risk management in a public agency setting.
• Policies, procedures, practices, and methods related to workers’ compensation and liability claim processing and administration.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of human resources in a public agency setting, including new employee orientation, benefit analysis and administration, and employee and labor relations, including negotiations and the interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• City personnel rules, policies, and labor contract provisions.
• Benefits administration, public pay administration, position classification, and salary surveys.
• Personnel selection, validation, performance appraisal, and affirmative action.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations governing labor, benefits, workers’ compensation, and safety.
• Research and reporting methods, data collection, and sampling techniques.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, document processing, and filing systems.
• Complex arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Conduct efficient, thorough investigations of liability claims and represent the City effectively in negotiating the settlement of claims.
• Evaluate, develop, and implement improvements in operations, procedures, policies, and methods.
• Research, analyze, evaluate, and implement new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Interpret budgetary and financial statements.
• Collaborate with contractors and third-party administrators to resolve difficult coverage issues.
• Conduct complex research projects on a wide variety of human resources topics, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Coordinate the administration of assigned risk management and safety programs and functions.
• Provide appropriate human resources and risk management services and advice to City departments and employees.
• Review worker’s compensation and liability insurance claim documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Perform a variety of professional human resources duties involving administering employee benefits, staffing, recruitment and selection, training and development, and classification and compensation functions.
• Analyze jobs and salaries and prepare sound classification and compensation recommendations.
• Perform diverse recruitment and selection tasks and ensure compliance with mandated regulations.
• Coordinate recruitment, selection and testing processes.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information of employees, former employers, and other matters affecting City employee relations.
• Accurately explain applicable employee benefit and retiree programs.
• Analyze personnel situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action.
• Write concise, effective reports and presentations; proofread documents accurately; give presentations.
• Apply standard mathematical functions and principles.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply programs, regulations, procedures, and guidelines.
• Maintain and update accurate records and files.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate programs, policies, and procedures.
• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and local codes, regulations, policies, technical processes, and procedures.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner, organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.   A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in risk management, human resources management, public or business administration, finance, or a related field.

Experience:
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience performing complex and special project work related to human resources or risk management administration.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License to be maintained throughout employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and remedial work.  The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees primarily work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

E-Verify: The City of El Monte is an E-Verify employer.  E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility newly hired employees in the United States.