Ocala, FL
Risk Manager
Location: Marion County, FL
$69,724-$104,613
Reports to: Director of Human Resources
Job Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
Marion County is seeking a strategic and experienced Risk Manager to lead the planning, development, and oversight of risk management functions for the Board of County Commissioners and participating Constitutional Officers. This role is responsible for managing the County’s comprehensive risk and safety programs, including insurance coverage, third-party claims administration, litigation strategy, and loss prevention initiatives.
The Risk Manager serves as a key advisor on contractual and legal risk, manages staff, coordinates directly with external vendors and internal departments, and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Oversight
Lead and supervise the Risk Management division, including risk, safety, and workers’ compensation staff.
Manage liability, property, auto, and workers’ compensation insurance programs for county operations and participating constitutional offices.
Oversee third-party claims administration for general liability, auto liability, and workers’ compensation.
Direct administration of the Occupational Medical Provider agreement and onsite employee clinic.
Claims & Litigation
Manage claims investigations and settlements; oversee litigation strategy in coordination with the County Attorney’s Office.
Attend hearings, mediations, and trials representing the County's interests.
Approve claim payments, invoices, and workers’ compensation compensability.
Insurance Program & Financial Oversight
Develop and maintain vehicle, property, and equipment schedules to ensure accurate insured values.
Coordinate policy renewals, actuarial funding recommendations, and reserve strategies.
Prepare and manage the Risk Management budget; monitor expenditures and insurance fund allocations.
Compliance, Safety, and Training
Ensure compliance with Florida Statutes 440 and 768 (Workers’ Compensation and Tort Law).
Oversee the development and implementation of countywide safety programs and training.
Conduct inspections of facilities and work sites to identify liability risks and ensure OSHA/state compliance.
Manage the CDL training and mosquito control programs.
Strategic Risk Management
Analyze risk exposures and recommend modifications to retention levels and insurance structures.
Develop and review insurance and indemnity requirements for County contracts.
Maintain the County’s internal risk incident reporting system and generate performance data for reporting and analysis.
Consult with departments on high-risk activities and policy development.
Collaboration & Communication
Coordinate efforts between the County and outside stakeholders including brokers, legal counsel, actuaries, and TPAs.
Serve as a resource and advisor to County Administration, department directors, and elected officials.
Conduct quarterly insurance meetings with Constitutional Officers.
Emergency Response
Serve as a designated responder to the Emergency Operations Center during declared emergencies.
Lead risk assessments and damage evaluations during disaster response and recovery efforts.
Provide on-call support for after-hours accident investigations.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Directly supervises risk, safety, and workers’ compensation personnel.
Assigns, reviews, and evaluates work; participates in hiring, training, and performance management.
Manages contracts with TPAs and Occupational Medical Providers.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Business or Public Administration, or related field.
Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience in risk management, with at least one (1) year in a supervisory role.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Licenses & Certifications:
Valid State of Florida driver’s license required.
Preferred: Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation.
FDACS Public Right-of-Way Pesticide Applicator License.
FDACS Public Health Mosquito Control License.
NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800 (within 6 months); NIMS 300 and 400 (within 12 months).
FDOT Intermediate Maintenance of Traffic (IMOT) certification (within 12 months).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
In-depth knowledge of Florida statutes related to workers’ compensation and tort claims.
Strong understanding of governmental insurance, self-insured programs, and litigation strategy.
Ability to evaluate risk exposure, recommend insurance coverage, and implement prevention strategies.
Skilled in interpreting contracts, policies, and legal documents related to risk and liability.
Strong leadership, problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills.
Proficient in statistical analysis, report preparation, budgeting, and public presentations.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and remain calm in high-pressure situations.
Commitment to customer service and collaboration across departments and agencies.