What are the responsibilities and job description for the Safety and Risk Manager position at City of Wilmington?
Do you excel at creating safer, smarter, and more resilient organizations? If so, we are looking for a Safety & Risk Manager to join our team!
You'll play a pivotal role in overseeing the City’s entire safety, risk management, and liability framework. This position leads the development and implementation of strategic safety initiatives, ensures compliance with OSHA, ADA, and other regulations, and manages both the Safety Division and Risk Management functions. Responsibilities include supervising staff, overseeing budgets and insurance programs, and serving as the City’s go-to expert on employee safety, workers’ compensation, general liability, and risk mitigation. The role requires strong collaboration with department leaders, legal counsel, insurance partners, and regulatory agencies to proactively identify risks, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement across the organization.
Lead the City’s safety, risk, and liability programs through strategic planning, policy development, and alignment with organizational goals.
Partner with department directors to integrate safety into operations and present performance trends at leadership meetings.
Oversee Safety Division and Risk Management functions, including staff supervision, training, and performance management.
Manage Workers’ Compensation and general liability claims, including investigations, complex case oversight, return-to-work coordination, negotiations, and collaboration with medical providers, legal counsel, and the TPA.
Develop and maintain safety and risk policies, procedures, and manuals to ensure compliance and reduce organizational risk.
Lead safety inspections, audits, and assessments, train departmental inspectors, review outcomes, and represent the City in regulatory, legal, and insurance forums.
Ensure OSHA and regulatory compliance, including recordkeeping, responding to inspections, and coordinating industrial hygiene studies.
Investigate safety concerns, identify root causes, and recommend corrective and preventative actions.
Chair the Citywide Safety Committee and oversee incident and accident investigations, documentation, and follow-up.
Analyze safety and claims data to identify trends and implement improvement strategies.
Manage insurance and risk-transfer processes, including coverage evaluation and contract reviews for risk and insurance compliance.
Collaborate with the City Attorney’s Office on mediations, depositions, and settlement negotiations for litigated cases.
Travel to City facilities and incident sites as required.
View the detailed job description here
Required Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Risk Management, Public Administration, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Business Administration, or a closely related field required.
- At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in occupational safety, risk management, workers’ compensation, and liability administration, preferably within a municipal, government, or similarly regulated environment.
- At least two (2) years of supervisory or program management experience required.
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Certifications & Licenses
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Certified Risk Manager (CRM) preferred.
- Valid Driver’s License Required
What You Should Know
We’re looking for someone with well-developed knowledge of:
- Strategic leadership of safety, risk, and liability programs aligned with organizational goals
- Development and implementation of safety and risk policies, procedures, and initiatives
- Integration of safety practices into departmental operations
- Workers’ Compensation and liability claims management
- Safety inspections, audits, assessments, and regulatory interactions
- OSHA and regulatory compliance
- Root-cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions
- Incident and accident investigation
- Data analysis
- Insurance and risk-transfer management
- Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, and internet applications
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Ability to conduct field inspections in varied environments, including worksites, facilities, and outdoor locations.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds and use appropriate safety equipment.
- May be required to work extended hours during emergencies, disasters, or special incidents.
- Required to travel to various City facilities and incident sites as needed.