Worker's Compensation and Leave Program Administrator in Oceanside, California at North County Transit District

Under the direction of the Chief People Officer, the Workers’ Compensation and Leave Program Administrator oversees, develops, implements, and evaluates the District’s Workers’ Compensation and employee injury programs within the People Division. This role is responsible for managing all aspects of employee injury claims, including preparation, adjustment, investigation, and determination of final claim dispositions, as well as collaborating with claims adjusters and preparing risk reports and required filings. The Administrator ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations while procuring and managing various insurance coverages.

In addition, this position serves as the District’s primary contact for all employee injury claims and leave administration programs, including Workers’ Compensation, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), pregnancy disability leave, short- and long-term disability, and other employer-sponsored leaves. The Administrator will coordinate and monitor leave programs, ensuring proper documentation, tracking, and timely communication with employees and supervisors, as well as facilitating the Modified/Full Duty Return to Work Program to support employee recovery and operational needs.

This role requires a proactive and detail-oriented approach to managing claims, risk exposure, leave administration, and compliance, ensuring the highest level of service and care for employees while meeting the District’s operational and legal requirements.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position is distinguished by the performance of a full range comprehensive Workers’ Compensation, employee injury, and leave administration functions, and managing leave programs as assigned, working independently, applying skils and knowledge of Workers’ Compensation and Federal/State Leaves with routine to moderate complexity with minimal supervision. The individual in this role must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as customer service skills for both external and internal customers.

The individual in this position is designated as a Confidential Employee as they will be privy to highly confidential and sensitive information on internal District matters pertaining to the decision-making process on matters relating to potential and current litigation, labor relations and/or personnel and employment, and other items of general legal and/or liability concerns. This position is designated as “at-will” in accordance with the NCTD Employee Handbook.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This position reports to the Chief People Officer. It manages third-party administrators (TPAs) and consultants. This position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of various project teams that may be instituted.

Working Conditions

Normal working conditions for this position are in both an office and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultant’s facilities, and other locations, as required. Based on operational need, the individual in this position may be called upon after regular business hours to address high priority matters.

Essential Functions
Duties may include, but not limited to, the following:

• Develops, implements and directs the goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for workers’ compensation, reasonable accommodations and leave management for the district.
• Confer with and provide professional assistance to various District Divisions on workers’ compensation, reasonable accommodations and leave related matters.
• Investigates or manages TPAs who investigate and resolve workers’ compensation claims made against the District, in consultation with the Chief People Officer, as appropriate.
• Oversees self-administration of all Workers’ Compensation claims and recommends settlement amounts Workers’ Compensation claims against the District.
• Develops and recommends programs, as assigned, relating to reducing and/or preventing employee illness or injury or other potential District liability.
• Evaluates and interprets reports and other data from third party claims administrators, as appropriate.
• Procures Excess Workers’ Compensation insurance, and other insurance, as directed.
• Provides consultation to the District on contractual insurance requirements; maintains all certificates of insurance for the District.
• Participates in performing market cost/benefit analysis; prepares and reviews request for proposals (RFPs), bid specifications and agreements; completes and reviews insurance and risk management questionnaires.
• Adjusts liability and cost recovery claims, as assigned.
• Manages the Leave Administration Program, including but not limited to, implementing and continuously updating policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while effectively supporting employees through their leave and return-to-work processes.
• Oversees the administration of all employer-sponsored leave programs, including FMLA, CFRA, pregnancy disability leave, short- and long-term disability, and other statutory and non-statutory leaves, ensuring accurate tracking and timely communication.
• Develops and maintains comprehensive leave-related documentation, including leave requests, approvals, certifications, and tracking reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for employees and supervisors regarding leave eligibility, entitlements, and return-to-work plans, providing clear guidance and support throughout the process.
• Coordinates with third-party administrators, healthcare providers, and legal counsel as necessary to ensure proper handling of leave claims and compliance with privacy and confidentiality standards.
• Monitors and analyzes leave trends and program effectiveness, providing data-driven recommendations to improve processes, reduce risk, and enhance employee satisfaction.
• Supports the comprehensive reviews and analyses and develops recommendations regarding the District's insurance needs, as directed; develops insurance specifications and prepares statistical data to provide prospective underwriters with specifics for rating premiums; analyzes and recommends appropriate levels of self-insurance retention and policy limits, as directed.
• Monitors insurance or risk management-related legislation, legal cases, and court decisions to evaluate their impact on the District, and develops recommendations or implement technical, policy and procedural modifications, as necessary.
• Represents the District in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, transit and professional organizations, and the public.
• Completes statistical and other reports requested by the Director of Enterprise Risk Management.
• Coordinates and performs risk reduction training programs and related presentations, as required.
• Responds to subpoenas and other legal discovery work as assigned.
• Represents the District at some legal proceedings, such as small claims matters, hearings, depositions, etc.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends, innovations, and legal issues in the field of risk management.
• Maintains repository related to Workers’ Compensation insurance and claims.
• Manages required Health Safety and Environmental programs.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Experience/Education
A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position may be considered in alignment with the following:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, Public Administration, Risk Management, or a closely related field is required.
• A Master’s Degree in a related field is preferred.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of directly relevant professional experience is required, with a focus on administering leave programs, conducting risk analyses, managing workers' compensation, handling claims, or overseeing similar operations.
• At least three (3) years of supervisory experience, demonstrating the ability to lead and manage teams effectively, is required.
• Experience working in a public agency or governmental environment is highly preferred.
• Possession of a Workers’ Compensation certification or a related professional certification is preferred.

Certificates/Licenses

• Must be able to obtain and maintain access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
• Possession of and the ability to maintain a California driver’s license, Class C, with less than 6 points in the preceding 36 month period and no DUI’s in the prior seven (7) years.
• Maintain compliance with the District’s policies regarding Standard of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, and Ethics.
• Possession of a Workers’ Compensation certification or a related professional certification is preferred.

General Requirements

• Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of risk management and asset protection, claims administration, related to general and financial liability protection and requirements.
• Knowledge of the methods of research and analysis of risk management.
• Ensures business is compliant with workers’ compensation regulations and District policies and guidelines.
• Ability to understand, interpret and apply specific procedures, as well as applicable federal and state regulations, insurance, labor laws.
• Ensures that the third-party administrator manages the claims diligently.
• Monitors related legislation, legal cases, and court decisions to evaluate their impact on the District, and develop recommendations or implement technical, policy and procedural modifications, as necessary
• Ability to create and maintain good working relationships through excellent communication and teambuilding skills; including the ability to engage successfully with both internal and external contacts and the public.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; ability to gather, organize, analyze, and present data to appropriate sources.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to prepare and deliver clear and concise reports.
• A professional level of expertise in multiple areas and demonstrated use of high-level discretion and judgment in execution of duties is preferred.
• Highly confidential and able to handle difficult situations with diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to manage and maintain simultaneous, transitional, and emerging priorities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer software programs including Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee must possess the ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, manual dexterity to complete clerical functions and work with office equipment and lift equipment up to 25 pounds daily.
• The employee must be able to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information.
• The employee must be able to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings and weekends when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right-of-way.
• The employee may be required to respond to accident scenes, and catastrophic or natural disasters.
• The employee may be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals. The employee must be able to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand.

Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computer equipment, copy machine, and telephone.
• Ability to carry and operate a mobile device.

Application Information: All applicants must complete and submit an online application at www.gonctd.com/careers. A job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check. NCTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.