Program Analyst II

Program Analyst II

Pay Range: $34.10 - $43.25 per hour (Non-Bargaining Pay Plan C43, Step 1-13)

Hiring Range: $34.10 - $36.19 per hour (Non-Bargaining Pay Plan C43, Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date: April 22, 2024

There is one Program Analyst II opening with the Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. This position is responsible for the development and administration of the day-to-day operations of the County’s risk management programs and claims administration to ensure a safe work environment for employees and to eliminate or reduce loss exposure through property, liability, and personal perils.

Essential Duties:

Analyze County activities to eliminate, reduce, transfer, or otherwise control loss to County property and assets or injury to County personnel and the public. Investigate and determine responsibility or fault from County activities and develop estimates of losses. Provide settlement or denial recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. Prepare Memorandums and Resolutions with settlement recommendations for the Board of County Commissioner’s approval. Coordinate claims management activities with claimants, attorneys, investigators, insurance companies, other government agencies, Department Heads, Elected Officials, County staff and other parties of interest as required. Work closely with County department heads, managers, and employees, as well as individuals from outside organizations and agencies to coordinate adjudication of tort claims filed against the County for a wide range of issues through claim/litigation resolve. Participate as needed in depositions, arbitrations, and mediations.

Compile information and complete the Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) yearly membership survey. Compile information and complete the yearly WCRP Risk Assessment. Contact various County departments for any changes and/or updates to previous assessment. Consult with various departments and compile information to complete the WCRP Risk Management Audit.

WCRP Responsibilities. Attending all risk pool conferences as Yakima County’s designated Claims Administrator/Risk Manager. Attend all risk pool in-person and virtual training related to Claims Administration and Risk Management. Prepare and submit requests for financial assistance through the Risk Pool’s Risk Reduction program on behalf of any county department. Prepare and submit the risk pool’s WCRP Lexipol Reimbursement Request on behalf of any department using the Lexipol program that has met the standards for reimbursement. Prepare and submit the risk pool’s Cyber Security Awareness Reimbursement Program documents on behalf of Technology Services to recover the cost of the county’s KnowBe4 security program.

Compile the county’s “licensed vehicle” list yearly and make any additions or deletions using the risk pool’s AMP program. Distribute to county Department Heads and Elected Officials training opportunities being offered by the risk pool. Review the risk pool’s Quarterly Yakima County Open Claims document for accuracy. Compile yearly list of Certificates of Membership in the Washington Counties Risk Pool and distribute them to the various departments. Advise the WCRP of inmate deaths and county road fatalities in case there is future litigation. Schedule and coordinate with the WCRP Risk Analyst and various county departments for the yearly site visit. Perform other related WCRP duties as required.

Participate in, and coordinate the activities of the County’s liability, property crime, cyber and terrorism insurance programs. Work with the Washington Counties Risk Pool Executive Director on projected increases in coverage amounts. Prepare recommendations for the purchase of insurance or retention of risk through appropriate reserve levels. Prepare applications for insurance; coordinate with the County’s insurance program with the WCRP and other insurance carriers. Develop specifications, correspond with insurance brokers, purchase insurance for a broad range of insurance coverage; review possible coverage improvements to ensure adequate protection against loss at the most effective cost to the County; act as a liaison with carriers, brokers, and Washington Counties Risk Pool regarding policy terms and limits.

Manage financial administration of risk management programs including reserving amounts for liability and property claims and lawsuits, budget administration, actuarial studies for reserving and program cost allocation. County Risk Manager to the WCRP for joint liability and property insurance and loss control programs. Assist with preparing the annual 520 Fund budget containing projected costs for liability, property, cyber, crime and terrorism premiums. Prepare yearly list of open claims/lawsuits with reserves budgeted to finish the current budget year and reserves for the next budget year.

Represent the County as Risk Manager and Claims Administrator as required by the WCRP Membership Compact. Integrate new claim information on the county claim spreadsheet. Reconcile the claim spreadsheet when claims are resolved to include if the claim was approved or denied, date of resolution and Resolution number. Electronically file claims with the Risk Pool as required by Yakima County’s Compact with the Washington Counties Risk Pool.

Collaborate with Risk Pool personnel and any outside counsel to resolve claims and lawsuits. Assist attorneys in negotiating and settling claims in accordance with Risk Pool and County policies. Oversees signature of release agreements when claims are concluded. Forwards the signed release to the Risk Pool, when appropriate, so a settlement check can be issued.

Receive and forward record requests made by the Department of Corrections from private attorneys, Eastern State Hospital, federal defenders, U.S. Probation Officers, Social Security/Disabilities, and any other agency or persons requesting documents.

Answer questions related to processing record requests and help gather records responsive to requests. Contact person for accidents in which a county vehicle has been damaged by another driver. Gather information and repair costs from the department and law enforcement reports from the agency investigating the accident. Contact and correspond with the other party’s insurance company regarding payment for damages.
Compile and prepare half-yearly and yearly budget report related to the 520 Fund. This report provides expenses related to individual claims and lawsuits and is provided to the Finance Department for use in the upcoming yearly budget.

Collaborate with County Risk Analyst to identify major areas of risk, analyze and evaluate alternative methods for eliminating, avoiding, or transferring risk. Work with County Risk Analyst concerning regulations in the following areas: Washington Industrial Safety & Health Act (WISHA), Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA), Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Collaborate with County Risk Analyst to conduct general County-wide and topic specific training including, but not limited to the following programs: Bloodborne Pathogens, First Aid/CPR, Defensive Driving, Hazard Communications, Safety Orientation, Flagging, Heat Stress and Pilot Escort Vehicle Operations Collaborate with County Risk Analyst to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding the worker’s compensation program. Attend Yakima County Safety Committee meetings.

Other duties as required.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, or a related field AND three (3) years of professional experience in claims investigation and administration, workplace safety program administration, and/or risk assessment; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job preferred.

Required:

-Successful completion of a comprehensive criminal background investigation and general employment verification, which includes fingerprinting.

-Complete Risk Manager and Claims Administration Certification Requirements within 12 months of obtaining the Risk Manager and Claims Administrator position (through the Institute of Risk Management IRM).

-Complete The Institutes Introduction to Risk Management and Insurance or AINS 101 course or complete the PRIMA Institute Risk Management program with 2 years of obtaining the Risk Manager and Claims Administrator position.

Preferred:

Associate in Risk Management Public Entities (ARM-P) Certification; Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC); Certification in Risk Management (CRM); Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Certification; experience in coordinating/facilitating meetings; presentation skills.

Equipment Used:

Personal computer and office software; commonly used office equipment; digital camera and photo printer; scanner; Spillman (access Sheriff Department and Department of Corrections records regarding claims), Pacer and Odyssey programs (access pleadings for claims and lawsuits).

Working Conditions:

This position is rated as Sedentary Work; Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Environment: Work is performed in the office and will involve occasional travel for training and conferences. This position has the unique opportunity to work with employees from other county departments, outside governmental and private agencies, as well as members of the public.

Physical Demands: bending, carrying, handling, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, balancing, crouching, kneeling, hearing, talking, and visual acuity.

Intellectual Demands: Ability to multitask, Confidentiality, Ability to work under pressure, Ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, Ability to follow written instruction and Ability to follow verbal instruction.

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of claim investigating, interviewing, and documenting techniques.
• Knowledge of problem-solving techniques. Ability to analyze complex problems, conduct research, and otherwise obtain necessary information to make sound recommendations. Ability to identify, evaluate, and solve problems in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of personnel policy, Employee Handbook, Non-discrimination and Anti-harassment Policy, County Health & Safety Programs, and union contracts.
• Knowledge of the budget processes and procedures
• Knowledge of the various reimbursement programs available through the Washington Counties Risk Pool

Skills and abilities:
• Ability to analyze complex problems, conduct research and otherwise obtain information necessary to make sound recommendations.
• Obtain and analyze investigation items such as incident reports, loss estimate, police/fire reports, medical records/bills, wage loss statements, photographs, diagrams, and witness statements.
• Ability to interview, correspond and communicate effectively both orally and in writing with County officials, claimants, insurance representatives, employees, and members of the public.
• Ability to identify training needs and implement necessary training programs to train county employees to reduce liability and improve safety.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, claimants, insurance representatives, employees, and members of the public.
• Ability to prepare complex reports involving detailed analysis and recommendations.
• Ability to work in conjunction with the Board of County Commissioners and Prosecuting Attorney, or designated prosecuting attorney, and settlement of claims within the County’s self-insured retention.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with county commissioners and elected officials, representatives of professional organizations and other governmental agencies, insurer, vendors, employers or other encountered in the course of the work performed.
• Ability to prepare a budget to allow payment of liability, property, cyber, crime and terrorism insurance premiums.
• Prepare and monitor an expendable budget for the exclusive purpose of funding the County’s self-insured retention for incurred and non-reported claims liability.
• Plan, organize, prioritize, coordinate, and perform multiple duties at the same time and with minimal supervision or direction.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive/privileged information and documentation.
• Individual must possess a wide range of knowledge, skills, and abilities, including, but not limited to Federal and Washington State laws, regulation and practices related to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Washington Industry Safety and Health Act (WISHA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), American with Disabilities Act (ADA), RCWs, WACs, Public Records Act, Open Government Training Act and Washington Counties Risk Pool policies and procedures.

Apply here: https://yakimacounty.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/YakimaCountyWA/details/Program-Analyst_R2095-2 before the closing date on the job posting. Apply immediately! For information, contact Yakima County Human Resources Department (509) 574 2210 EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability.