Description
Cuyahoga County – Cleveland OH
Department: Human Resources
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Anticipated Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Reports To: Director of Human Resources, Employee Labor Relations
Full Time or Part Time: Full Time
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Classified or Unclassified: Unclassified
FLSA: Exempt
IMPORTANT NOTICE: To be considered for this position, you must submit an application by visiting the Cuyahoga County job portal at https://www.cuyahogacounty.gov/human-resources and click on “Find A Career.”
Summary
This is a professional managerial position with responsibility to strategize, plan, develop, and manage Workers’ Compensation programs for employees of the Cuyahoga County Executive and Non-Executive Agencies. The incumbent supervises subordinate personnel and exercises considerable judgment to interpret and apply policies. This position is also imbued with authority to settle disputed claims and litigated matters.
Essential Job Functions
Plans, develops, maintains, and manages Cuyahoga County’s Workers' Compensation program in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Establishes and implements workers' compensation standards, policies, and procedures; recommends and implements goals and objectives.
Direct and manage the caseload of workers’ compensation claims. Determines claim trajectory and strategy based on review of Third Party Administrator (TPA) and Managed Care Organization (MCO) recommendations, claim records and investigation documents; requests appeals and objections; requests independent medical examinations and functional capacities; authorizes surveillance and communicates with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC) Fraud Division; attends hearings at the Industrial Commission and in court as the County’s representative; strategizes with attorneys to develop case plans; works with attorneys to negotiate claim settlements; authorizes settlement of workers’ compensation claims up to a certain monetary threshold.
Collaborates with the BWC, TPA, and MCO to maintain a low Experience Modification Rate (EMR). Reviews and analyzes claim records and investigation documents to determine validity and compensability; participates in settlement negotiations; recommends loss control strategies; and develops strategies to handle specific cases in consultation with appropriate parties. Certifies and denies claims based on review of TPA and MCO recommendations, claim records and investigation documents
Manages Alternative Work Program; communicates and strategizes with department leadership to identify AWP solutions throughout the County and with external partners; maintains functional work assessments; monitors employees’ progress and evaluates changes in job assignments in collaboration with the MCO. Manages On-Site Physical Therapy Program; monitors employees’ progress and evaluates changes in job assignments in collaboration with the MCO.
Manages and assigns work to subordinate employees, trains in work procedures, evaluates employee performance, assists in selection and promotion. Responsible for employee discipline, including removal.
Collaborates with the Environmental Health and Safety group to investigate workplace accidents, incidents and injuries, and to implement safety education programs for workers and managers.
Manages the Workers' Compensation program budget. Approves payments to the BWC. Secures and manages grants through the BWC and other agencies. Serves as subject matter expert in procurement efforts, including for the TPA and MCO contracts, and monitors vendor performance.
Oversees the maintenance of all required workers' compensation records. Responsible for preparing and filing required reports, including to the BWC, OSHA, and the applicable Safety Council. Develops and reports quality assurance, quality control, and performance metrics to demonstrate positive outcomes.
Supports peer Human Resources programs in the areas of ADA accommodation, disability separation, FMLA, return-to-work, including to evaluate management systems in occupational and non-occupational areas such as return-to-work, pre- and post-offer screening, work hardening, and health risk management.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of experience in human resources, labor and employment, occupational health and safety, workers compensation, or related field; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Application Process
This is an unclassified position. Human Resources will check your application to make sure you meet the minimum qualifications. HR helps the hiring department decide who to follow up with for interviews and then a job offer.
Most of our communication with candidates is through email. Regularly check the email address you gave us in your job profile. Watch your Spam folder, just in case.
If we offer you a job, you must pass a drug screen and background check before the offer becomes final. Prior criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify you from employment; the County looks at criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis using the guidelines in Chapter 306 of the County Code.
Conviction of some misdemeanors and felonies may preclude applicants from serving in some positions. Aside from circumstances set forth in Section 306.02(A)(1) of the Cuyahoga County Code, all job openings will require a background check at the time of conditional offers of employment, and conditional offers of employment become permanent only upon successful completion of the background check process
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Cuyahoga County is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, which includes building an environment that respects the individual, promotes innovation and offers opportunities for all employees to develop to their full potential. A diverse workforce helps the County realize its full potential. The County benefits from the creativity and innovation that results when people with different experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds work together.
The County is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, language, religion, citizenship status, sex, age, marital status, sexual preference or orientation, gender identity/expression, military/veteran status, disability, genetic information, membership in a collective bargaining unit, status with regard to public assistance, or political affiliation. If you are a person with a disability and unable to use or access this site as a result of your disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation by calling (216) 443-7248 or via email to ADA@CuyahogaCounty.us.
