University of California, Santa Cruz · 1 day ago
Workers Compensation and Occupational Disability Manager - CAMPUS ONLY
Santa Cruz County, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$97K/yr - $111K/yrThe University of California, Santa Cruz is a unique public university that combines a liberal arts college experience with major research university depth. The Workers' Compensation and Occupational Disability Manager will manage workers' compensation claims and occupational disability cases while identifying and minimizing risks within the campus community.
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Responsibilities
Designs, develops, and delivers training and presentations related to workers’ compensation, injury prevention, injury management, and transitional return-to-work programs; develops and recommends procedures, guidelines, training materials, and forms to support program effectiveness
Identifies opportunities for improvement in injury prevention, injury management, and loss control practices within campus units; communicates recommendations to supervisors and stakeholders
Develops, implements, and administers risk management programs, including insured and self-insured programs related to insurance claims administration and loss prevention
Manages the administration of workers’ compensation claims and oversees the return-to-work/stay-at-work program, including occupational disability accommodations
Evaluates the need for ergonomic assessments and referrals to wellness and injury prevention programs, including the campus WorkStrong program
Implements, monitors, and evaluates risk control strategies related to claims management, claim payments, and loss prevention to reduce costs and improve outcomes
Conducts advanced risk and loss analyses to identify areas of potential significant loss; recommends and implements appropriate loss protection measures using enterprise risk management principles
Applies advanced risk management and risk financing concepts to develop loss forecasts, establish self-insured retention accruals, and support strategic decision-making in collaboration with key stakeholders
Assists with complex financial accounting and risk financing activities, including monitoring risk control strategies, implementing loss prevention initiatives, and reducing insurance premiums
Designs and implements financial recovery strategies and tailored financial training programs to improve program effectiveness and optimize workers’ compensation outcomes
Conducts ongoing evaluation of loss prevention and training efforts to assess past performance, identify current risks, and guide future risk management strategies
Assists in overseeing campus-wide public health response programs, including COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing for faculty and staff, ensuring compliance with protocols, effective coordination with stakeholders, and timely communication to protect campus health and safety
Operates with a high degree of autonomy, serving as a subject matter expert or project manager on highly complex and diverse issues requiring advanced analysis, judgment, and evaluation
Provides direct supervision and leadership to staff, overseeing daily operations to ensure compliance with departmental policies and program requirements
Manages performance management processes, including setting expectations and goals, conducting performance appraisals, recommending promotions, salary actions, and terminations
Recommends and assists with hiring, onboarding, training, and career development of employees
Coordinates and assigns projects and program responsibilities to staff to support departmental objectives
Develops and facilitates ongoing training, coaching, skill development, and continuing education opportunities for staff
Fosters open communication and a collaborative, respectful work environment by encouraging employee feedback and conducting regular standing meetings
Develops, monitors, and manages operational processes, staffing, budget allocation, financial resources, and internal human resources
Manages workers’ compensation claims, including claims reporting, work status documentation, transitional return-to-work programs, and coordination with third-party administrators and clinical resources
Analyzes complex loss and claims data, conducts employee interviews, ensures timely and accurate reporting, and maintains confidential claim files
Oversees the administration of complex employee injury claims, monitors payments, and collaborates with internal departments to resolve claims efficiently
Reviews and updates work restrictions, facilitates discussions between supervisors and injured employees, and coordinates job modifications or alternative duties to support transitional return-to-work efforts
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
Thorough knowledge in the following areas: risk management; insurance; analysis; knowledge of common organization-specific computer application programs; knowledge of organizational processes and procedures; or thorough understanding of related industry area
Proven interpersonal skills, customer service orientation, active listening skills, professionalism, and organizational skills
Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of workers' compensation claims management; Workers' Compensation experience with either a third party claims administrator, a Workers' Compensation insurer or related employer
Proven ability to use critical thinking and analytical skills to solve problems
Ability to maintain highly confidential information in an appropriate manner; and maintain high ethical standards
Demonstrated knowledge of occupational disability management; experience developing and coordinating occupational injury return to work assignments
Demonstrated experience in training and goal setting with direct reports
Computer skills characterized by: knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, or claims management information system
Demonstrated experience in supervision and performance management
Strong skills required to develop course materials and deliver content effectively to diverse populations
Preferred
Master's degree in related field
Ability to communicate in the Spanish language
Completion of the Insurance Education Association or The Institutes WCCP Certification program, or equivalent Workers' Compensation certification program
Completion of the Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS) program
Benefits
Full benefits
Company
University of California, Santa Cruz
UCSC opened in 1965 with 650 students. Forty-five years later, the campus is home to nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 1,500 graduate
Founded in 1965
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$19.6MKey Investors
U.S. Department of AgricultureNational Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)James S. McDonnell Foundation
2023-06-21Grant· $10M
2023-01-10Grant· $0.15M
2022-02-24Grant· $0.25M
Leadership Team
Benedict Paten
Professor
Marco Rolandi
Jack Baskin Endowed Chair in Engineering
Recent News
News-Medical.Net
2026-02-04
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2025-11-24
2025-11-08
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