Workers’ Compensation Manager (Human Resources Manager)

AC Transit’s Human Resources Department is seeking an experienced Workers' Compensation Manager (Human Resources Manager) to oversee the District’s workers’ compensation and modified duty programs.

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, this role provides strategic leadership, supervises staff, and manages the District’s self-insured workers’ compensation program, including oversight of the Third-Party Administrator (TPA). The position ensures regulatory compliance, effective claims management, cost containment, and return-to-work coordination. It also administers the modified duty program and oversees employee occupational injury and disability programs. This role does not handle third-party liability or property damage claims. The position also ensures injured employees receive timely WC benefits, conducts loss trend analysis, and works closely with Operations to mitigate claim costs and execute comprehensive claims investigations.

• Manages staff and oversees operations within the Workers’ Compensation unit of the Human Resources Department; selects, trains, develops, mentors, and guides staff in achieving goals and objectives; coaches and develops employees; provides constructive feedback on performance and behaviors; reviews and evaluates work; counsels and handles personnel actions including discipline and grievance processes for direct and indirect reports, as needed.
• Participates in the development and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, work standards, policies, procedures, short and long-range strategic plans for the District’s self-insured workers’ compensation program, ensuring compliance with California Labor Code and applicable federal and state regulations. 
• Develops and implements performance measures and standards for the District’s workers’ compensation program, including claims management and return-to-work outcomes; monitors and evaluates results, presents findings, and implements corrective actions to improve program effectiveness.
• Establishes internal controls and quality assurance processes for claims administration and modified duty placements, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and promoting efficient, cost-effective operations.

• Oversees and actively manages performance of the Third-Party Administrator (TPA); conducts regular file reviews, evaluates reserve levels, monitors litigation strategy, and ensures timely case progression.

• Collaborates across HR, Legal, Safety, and Operations to manage complex workers’ compensation cases, including alternative dispute resolution and return-to-work programs.
• Drives early intervention and claims reduction initiatives, improving return-to-work outcomes and minimizing long-tail claims exposure.

• Reviews trends and injury data; develops strategies to reduce lost time and improve program effectiveness.

• Develops, administers, and controls the budget for the assigned unit(s); ensures fiscal compliance; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments. 
• In conjunction with the Legal Department, interprets and communicates federal, state, local, and District laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. 

• Develops and implements personnel rules and regulations and interprets and administers human resources-related provisions of collective bargaining agreements.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change. 
• Confers with, and serves as a resource to, District departments on the planning, development, and implementation of personnel-related programs, projects, policies, and procedures, to enhance service delivery and optimize staff efficiencies; responds to difficult and sensitive inquiries; assists with resolutions and formulating alternative recommendations; ensures the provision of optimal customer service to departments.
• Establishes collaborative relationships with various functional and departmental areas of the District; serves as a liaison for the assigned unit(s) to other District departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings as necessary; provides staff support to committees and task forces as necessary; negotiates and resolves significant and potentially controversial issues.

• Provides highly complex staff assistance to an assigned Director or Executive; develops and reviews staff reports related to assigned activities and services; may present information to the Board of Directors and various commissions and committees. 
• Monitors and interprets changes in workers’ compensation laws, regulations, and best practices, communicating implications and impacts to the Board of Directors, executive management, District staff, and relevant external stakeholders to ensure compliance and informed decision-making.
• May participate in labor negotiations and/or recommend preliminary proposals, including cost implementation projections.
• May be required to temporarily replace or act in the position of the senior District staff member to whom this position normally reports; may be required to perform some or all of the senior staff member's essential functions in such situations.
• Performs related duties as required.

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field.

Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible experience in human resources administration, labor administration, workers’ compensation administration, disability management administration, or a closely related field, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience managing a self-insured workers’ compensation program in a public agency, transit, utility, construction, or other high-exposure environment.
• Experience overseeing Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) including reserve review, litigation strategy coordination, and performance accountability.
• Experience leading a modified duty / return-to-work program
• Experience working collaboratively with other departments on complex or high-risk cases.
• Experience analyzing injury trends, lost time data, and claim cost drivers to develop prevention and cost containment strategies.
• Experience with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including coordinating or participating in mediation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution processes related to workers’ compensation claims.

Special Environmental Conditions: Must be willing to: (1) work outside regular business hours as required and (2) travel between the various District divisions. 

Physical Requirements: Must maintain the physical condition necessary to: (1) perform tasks in an office setting operating a personal computer, keyboards, and other peripheral equipment; and (2) possess physical mobility in order to direct or conduct field studies and attend external meetings and events.

• Medical - Choice of two Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs):  Kaiser Permanente and Health Net. $10.00 office visit co-pays; $5.00 - $35.00 prescription co-pays.
• Dental – MetLife Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) $50 annual deductible per person/$150 per family; $3,000 per person annual maximum; preventative care covered at 100%; basic and major care covered at 90%; $4,000 lifetime maximum orthodontia covered at 50%. 
• Vision - Vision Service Plan - $10.00 copay; eligible for an exam, lenses, frames or contact lenses every 12 months – based on the last date of service. $200 frame allowance or $120 allowance for contact lenses. 
• Employer paid Basic Life Insurance 
• Employee paid Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, Transit
• AC Transit contributes up to $50.00/month towards an employee’s FSA Transit costs
• Free AC Transit Bus Pass
• Federal Credit Union
• Vacation and Sick Leave or Personal Time Off
• Ten (10) paid holidays; 2 paid floating holidays; 1 paid birthday holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement – up to $2500 per fiscal year on approved courses
• Wellness Program