Risk Manager in Gresham, Oregon at City of Gresham

The City of Gresham's City Attorney’s Office is seeking an experienced Risk Manager to lead the City’s Risk and Safey Division. The Risk Manager has a portfolio of work that requires and promotes interaction throughout the organization and with the community and other public agencies.

First Application Review: July 7, 2026

The City provides full family, comprehensive medical and dental insurance. Vision and prescription coverages are included in the medical plans. Additional benefits include: Employer paid life insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, child care), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement (City picks up the 6% employee's contribution), paid time off (PTO), sick leave, nine additional paid holidays and MORE!

The Risk Manager’s responsibilities include:

Workers' Compensation Program Administration
The Risk Manager manages the City’s self-insured workers’ compensation program and the contract between the City and third-party administrator for workers' compensation claims from receipt of a claim through resolution. Tasks include monitoring and investigating workers' compensation issues and reviewing case outcomes. The Risk Manager represents the City at workers’ compensation hearings.

Liability Management Program Administration
The Risk Manager receives personal injury and property damage claims from community members and outside agencies, investigates incidents and accidents, and works with the City’s insurers to bring claims to closure. There is some work on the litigation side when a claim becomes a lawsuit. The Risk Manager applies customer service skills and techniques for diffusing difficult situations, including establishing and implementing procedures for supervision and adjustment of claims. The Risk manager regularly provides recommendations to the City Attorney and the City Council for resolving claims or lawsuits.

Insurance Management
The Risk Manager is well-versed in the principles and practices of legal liability, insurance, and self-insurance and purchases annually insurance to protect City assets. Insurance coverages include general liability, auto, property, drone, crime, excess Workers’ Compensation, cyber, volunteer accident coverage, and other policies as needed.

Contract Review and Risk Assessment

The Risk Manager reviews City contracts for insurance sufficiency and the need for additional requirements or coverages

Employee Safety and Mandated Programs
The Risk Manager has knowledge of legal requirements, regulations, and OSHA laws applicable to City operations and oversees mandated programs such as Hearing Conservation, Bloodborne Pathogens, Respirator Protection, and Hazard Communication.

Employee Development and Supervision
The Risk Manager leads a team consisting of a Risk Management Specialist and an Administrative Assistant III.

Loss Control
The Risk Manager has experience with the practices, principles, and procedures of risk management, analysis, and loss control.

Contract administration
The Risk Manager identifies insurance and other safety and liability prevention needs, prepares and issues Requests for Proposals, and negotiates and manages risk-related contractors.

Budget Responsibilities
The Risk Manager is involved in annual fiscal year budget development and administration which includes making recommendations to the City Attorney and the Budget and Finance Department on budgetary decisions and authorizing expenditures

ABILITY TO:

• Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, assess consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Influence and gain cooperation when there are competing or conflicting priorities; provide timely and courteous customer service, conduct effective negotiations and represent the City
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls
• Engage with a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex City services
• Operate office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment
• Knowledge and experience using City software programs, including Microsoft 365

MinimumQualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Industrial Health, or a related field with four (4) to six (6) years of related experience that includes progressively responsible experience in risk management, claims administration, and/or workers' compensation.

Or

Any combination of seven (7) to ten (10) years of related education, training, and/or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to qualify for consideration

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual in English and either Spanish, Russian or Vietnamese highly preferred.

Understanding of the organization and function of local public agencies, including the role of an elected Mayor and City Council.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION

Required application materials:

• Complete online application (Do not type 'see resume' in any fields or leave work experience fields blank in the application template.)
• A cover letter summarizing your experience and qualifications as they relate to this position and your interest in working for the City of Gresham
• Resume

Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Veteran’s Preference

The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

CITY OF GRESHAM COMMITMENT
Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks a candidate who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.

The City of Gresham offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education verified in your application. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Oregon Equal Pay.

If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov upon submitting the required application document

CITYCONTACTINFORMATION

For more detailed information, please visit our Employee Benefits page at: https://greshamoregon.gov/benefits/

Please direct questions about this position to HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov.

If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.

Please contact City Attorney Ellen Van Riper for more information about this opportunity at ellen.vanriper@greshamoregon.gov