Risk Management and Wellness Specialist

Franklin County is looking for a forward-thinking Risk Management and Wellness Specialist to help safeguard our workforce and promote a culture of health, safety, and resilience. In this pivotal role, you’ll combine analytical expertise with a people-first approach—identifying risks, developing proactive strategies, and championing wellness initiatives that keep our employees thriving. If you’re passionate about creating safer workplaces, fostering well-being, and making a lasting impact across county operations, we invite you to bring your skills and vision to our team.

Compensation: $53,856-$56,549

**To Be Determined Based on Experience and Qualifications**

Benefits: Franklin County offers a competitive benefit package designed to encourage and support your health, well-being and productivity. Benefit options include medical and dental insurance; elective supplemental insurance options such as short-term disability, vision, and voluntary term life; local government retirement; 401(k) with a 4% employer contribution (no employee match required); generous paid leave that includes 13 county-observed paid holidays per year; an employee wellness program inclusive of a county sponsored gym and an employee assistant program. For more information about Franklin County benefit options please click here https://www.franklincountync.gov/194/Benefits-Summary.

An employee in this class plans, organizes and assists with the activities of the employee safety program and is responsible for the development, coordination, implementation, administration, monitoring, and evaluation of the County-wide total wellness initiatives. Work involves developing programs that create awareness and motivation and provides tools to employees that help them adapt and maintain a well-rounded healthy lifestyle. Work also involves providing administrative support through daily administrative activities of the County’s safety and risk management program. Responsibilities include assisting in the coordination of our county’s Worker’s Compensation, and Property and Liability claims program including collecting forms, and inputting claim details and updating the Employee Safety Intranet webpage. Additionally, the employee will assist in the development, coordination, implementation, administration, monitoring, and facilitation of training hosted by Risk Management. Work involves instructing risk management, safety and wellness courses. Work is supervised by the Human Resources and Risk Management Director, and is evaluated through conferences, observations, feedback, reports and the quality and effectiveness of work completed.

Duties and Responsibilities/Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

Makes recommendations to the Human Resources and Risk Management Director regarding wellness program enhancements, changes, etc. Follows through with approved recommendations by developing and implementing services and programs specific to the County's wellness goals and employee health risks and interests. Uses existing wellness portal to track wellness program participation.

Serves as the wellness coordinator; serves as system administrator for the wellness portal; provides employee assistance with wellness activities and concerns.

Prepares annual wellness guideline documents.

Develops a wide variety of employee wellness activities and programs including exercise programs, weight loss programs, smoking cessation, stress, weight and disease management, exercise, healthy eating, lunch and learn seminars, mobile health screenings, flu shots and wellness library, etc. using a variety of promotional activities to encourage Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health.

Collaborates with internal and external resources to determine appropriate vendors for wellness programs; serves as liaison between the workplace and referral resources in establishing wellness programs; and recommends external vendors and oversees program delivery to determine quality and effectiveness of programs provided.

Plans wellness events including guest speakers, health-related demonstrations/displays, and video materials using self-developed and outside resources.

Promotes awareness of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Ensure continuous year-round opportunities for employees to participate in wellness initiatives and activities.

Generates wellness program compliance reports and communicates with employees regarding participation in the program.

Monitors productivity and recommends improvement to the wellness program to enhance experience and participation.

Orders and awards incentive prizes.

Produces a variety of employee communications materials for internal electronic and paper dissemination including promotional materials which encourage employee participation in program activities. Provides Human Resources staff with current information about program activities, especially those requiring promotion, cooperation, and/or assistance from managers and/or Human Resources staff.

Works with the Human Resources staff to increase participation in lifestyle management programs and increase compliance rates for preventative screenings and preventative medicine.

Collaborate with Human Resources staff to develop strategies and wellness programs around high-cost claims to reduce costs for the County's self-insured insurance plan.

Coordinates preventative maintenance visits with wellness center equipment vendor.

Investigates equipment breakdowns and obtains quotes for equipment repairs.

Researches and obtain quotes for new gym equipment.

Maintains gym by stocking maintenance supplies and evaluating facility for needed custodial services and general facility repairs.

Initiates the claims process with the insurance provider by filing claims data for property, auto, general liability, and worker’s compensation claims.

Processes claims data, including interviews, documentation, and claims handling.

Enters claims in the internal tracking system and creates the physical file.

Keeps the internal tracking system updated with claim status.

Assists with monitoring and resolution of claims.

Provides support to employees and departmental staff with worker’s compensation claims.

Communicate Worker’s Compensation leave with Human Resources staff so FMLA can run concurrently as needed.

Assists with return-to-work programs for injured or ill employees to include collaboration with departments to identify suitable modified duty assignments.

Maintains the existing reporting system for claims for newly acquired or transferred property.

Teaches New Employee Safety Training at onboarding for new hires.

Teaches monthly employee training on a variety of safety topics including defensive driving training, First Aid, CPR and AED training, Bloodborne Pathogens training and other identified safety training courses.

Manages and processes the annual employee Motor Vehicle reviews.

Maintains monthly volunteer hours records and reports.

Maintains documentation related to safety inspections, incident reports, and training activities and prepares reports as requested.

Manages safety supply and equipment inventory, obtaining supply quotes, and placing supply orders.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of health and wellness programming in an organization and the metrics used to evaluate program effectiveness.

Knowledge of diseases and health trends and methods of creating and maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Knowledge of various methods of exercising and creating healthy menus and diets.

Ability to coordinate groups of employees in preparing and administering events.

Ability to motivate participation in health promotion programs.

Knowledge of group health insurance, health education, federal and state laws governing health insurance and wellness programs.

Knowledge of worker’s compensation program operations and injury claim tracking functions.

Knowledge of fleet safety protocols, vehicles operations and motor vehicle record review processes.

Knowledge of medical terminology is a plus.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and modern office practices.

Familiarity with personnel policies, regulations, and county government functions.

Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Effective communication skills, both written and oral.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, department heads, employees, and the general public.

Resourcefulness in gathering and conveying information.

Strong record-keeping and organizational skills.

Strong public speaking and presentation skills

Desirable Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in occupational health, Health Promotion, Exercise Management or other safety, medical, wellness, fitness or health-related subject or related field. Experience in creating, delivering, measuring and communicating safety and worker’s compensation programs or health programs is required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job listed. Occupational safety, health or wellness certifications are a plus.

Other Information

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.

CPR/First Aid/AED Instructor certification or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire.

Defensive Driving Instructor certification or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $53,856.00 - $56,549.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person

Salary : $53,856 - $56,549