Risk & Claims Specialist - Clerk's Department (Permanent, Full-Time)

Grey County•Owen Sound, ON

3d•CA$81,627 - CA$93,675•Onsite

About The Position

The Risk and Claims Specialist is responsible for supporting the County’s risk management and claims administration functions through a balanced and proactive approach. The position emphasizes both mitigation and resolution—identifying and reducing organizational risk while aligning mitigation strategies with corporate objectives, resources and risk tolerance as well as ensuring fair, timely, and consistent handling of insurance claims. The role collaborates across departments to promote accountability and informed decision-making while supporting continuous, practical improvements in risk practices.

Requirements

Three year post-Secondary education in Business, Public Administration, Insurance, Risk Management or related field.
Minimum of three (3) years of insurance claims adjusting and risk management experience, preferably within a municipal or public‑sector environment
Advanced knowledge and experience in risk assessment, risk management and risk communication.
Knowledge of enterprise risk management principles, risk registers, control measures, and risk reporting practices in a municipal or broader public-sector environment.
Strong understanding of and ability to interpret indemnity clauses to ensure they are enforceable and transfer risk as intended
Knowledge of procurement and contract administration practices, including insurance specifications, indemnity clauses, and risk transfer provisions.
Familiarity with various types of insurance
Working knowledge of applicable legislation, standards, and practices affecting municipal liability, privacy, records, and insurance administration, and the ability to interpret and apply them in operational contexts.
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of municipal insurance, claims adjusting, underwriting, and risk management.
Sound research, analytical, problem-solving and negotiating skills, while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and professionalism.
Ability to exercise discretion, judgment and work independently, with a high degree of integrity due to considerable exposure to confidential information.
Proven multi-tasking skills with an ability to handle multiple projects and rapidly changing priorities while maintaining effective working relationships with County staff at all levels.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with senior staff, elected officials and the public.
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office suite.
Strong analytical, reporting, and records management skills, including experience using claims, incident, or risk management systems to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to work calmly under pressures of deadlines, stressful situations and handling multiple duties and competing priorities.
Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Completion of the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation, or actively working toward completion will be considered an asset.
Completion of the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation or RIMS-CRMP designation will be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Actively manages handling of liability claims against the County and financial recoveries from the County’s insurance carrier with the exception of social housing and WSIB.
Approves payment / settlement of claims up to specific thresholds
Manage claims processes, and acting as liaison between insurers and internal departments
Coordinates the gathering of required documentation and evidence for the investigation and defense of claims
Develops protocols for reporting incidents and claims by employees and third parties.
Develops evidence collection standards to ensure all information is documented.
Makes recommendations through ongoing research and compiles detailed evidence files in conjunction with the insurance adjuster(s) for the County’s record of defense in claims filed against the County.
Liaises and coordinates with internal staff, third‑party claimants, insurance adjusters, legal counsel, insurers, and insurance providers to investigate claims, assess exposure and liability, and support effective claim resolution.
Maintains accurate internal tracking of all claim details within the risk management system to ensure complete and accurate file management.
Analyzes claims, incidents, and loss data to identify trends, root causes, and areas of exposure, and recommends loss prevention and risk control measures to reduce the frequency and severity of future claims.
Assists in identifying needs for the development of policies and procedures regarding corporate and departmental risk management practices.
Responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing organizational risks to reduce exposure and ensure compliance, including supporting the ongoing development and maintenance of the County’s corporate risk management framework that aligns with corporate objectives, resources and risk tolerance.
Facilitates risk identification and assessment with departments, maintains corporate risk registers and risk matrix information, and prepares risk summaries, trend analysis, and mitigation updates for senior leadership as required.
Assists with insurance program administration.
Meeting with insurer on a regular basis.
Provides risk and insurance input on liability-related litigation matters, procurement documents, leases, licenses, service agreements, and other contracts to support appropriate risk transfer, indemnification, and insurance requirements.
Helping promote a culture of risk awareness and proactive risk management with employees.
Supports insurance renewals by coordinating underwriting information, claims history, exposure data, and changes in insured assets, operations, and activities.
Assists with the development and ongoing review of insurance, claims, and risk management policies and procedures.
Maintains and reviews Grey County’s risk matrix and liaises with staff to assess and prioritize risk.
Participates in privacy review processes.
Supports business continuity, emergency preparedness, and organizational resilience activities by providing risk-related input into planning, response, and recovery processes, as required.
Deliver effective presentations and training sessions to staff to help promote a risk aware culture.
Consults with County’s insurer, adjusters and solicitor as required.
Other duties and projects as assigned.
Maintains skills and knowledge at a high level through seminars, conferences, courses and selected reading.