Freelance Operational Risk Manager Jobs in California

Salary: $10,471.07 - $14,733.33 Monthly
Location : Huntington Beach, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 0054-0526
Department: Human Resources Department
Opening Date: 05/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
**Updated 6/4/26 at 8:26 AMApplications will be accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis. This recruitment may close at any time after that date, once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.Here in Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we're looking for the right person to serve as Risk Manager in our Human Resources Department.
The ideal candidate is a confident communicator and relationship builder who can work effectively with executive leadership, department directors, employees, legal counsel, insurers, brokers, and external agencies. They will have experience managing complex claims and insurance programs, interpreting laws and regulations, developing policies and procedures, and delivering training and guidance to diverse stakeholders.
If you have a strong background in risk management and are passionate about promoting safety and compliance, we encourage you to apply to this exciting opportunity!
Human Resources Department
Human Resources provides exceptional internal and external customer service in support of the City's Mission Statement and Core Values. Human Resources supports City departments and employees in all aspects of talent management and development, including recruitment, selection, training, and professional development. Human Resources oversees a variety of operational functions, including employee relations, health and retirement benefits administration, risk management, disability leave and return-to-work management, and classification and compensation.
The Risk Management Division is responsible for managing the City's risk-related programs. Risk Management develops, administers, and coordinates citywide liability insurance and risk management programs, including workers' compensation, liability claims administration, loss prevention, and employee safety. These comprehensive services are provided in compliance with mandated Federal and State labor and employment laws, the City of Huntington Beach Charter, Municipal Code, Personnel Rules & Regulations, and the collectively-bargained Memoranda of Understanding.
Examples of Essential Duties

• Manages all City-wide services and activities of the Risk Management Division, including comprehensive risk management, workplace safety and industrial hygiene, third-party loss prevention, self insured, self-administered liability claims, self-insured, self-administered workers' compensation, risk financing, and safety officer industrial disability retirement programs.
• Supervises staff providing risk analysis, risk management, loss prevention, loss control, and claim settlement services.
• Reviews, oversees, and monitors contracts between the City and third-party administrators for workers' compensation and liability claims; ensures compliance with contractual terms and conditions, and local, state, federal government codes and regulations.
• Coordinates loss control training and directs safety activities to avoid or reduce loss exposure.
• Investigates areas of liability and recommends the possible extent and strategies for minimization.
• Serves as a liaison with third party administrators, legal counsel, Cal-OSHA, CalPERS and other insurance staff, safety industry organizations, and other public and private agencies as the City's representative.
• Participates in risk/insurance joint powers authorities as the City's representative.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive claims management system for processing public liability claims, including coordinating with third-party claims administrators.
• Provides counseling for employees concerning workers' compensation and industrial disability retirement benefits.
• Provides consulting expertise to all City departments to assist them with regulatory compliance in their areas of responsibility.
• Directs and maintains in-house management and contract services to determine appropriate risk coverage and loss control techniques.
• Attends court hearings and makes appearances for the City in matters of workers' compensation and liability property damage.
• Participates in the interactive process to determine the assessment of the job and specific physical or mental limitations of an individual directly related to the need for reasonable work accommodation.
• Formalizes specifications for the purchasing of insurance and other related services.

The preceding duties have been provided as examples of the essential types of work performed by positions within this job classification. The City, at its discretion, may add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business, public administration or other related field. Master's degree desirable.
Experience: Five (5) years' professional-level experience in the management of a comprehensive risk management program, including a minimum of one (1) year of managerial experience supervising professional, technical and support staff.
Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
Valid Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation.
Application and Selection Procedure

• An online application must be fully completed.
• Applicants must clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum education, experience, license and/or certification requirements to be considered. Applicants whose qualifications best meet the City's needs will be invited to participate in a virtual oral examination (weighted 100%) - date of exam is to be determined. (Updated 6/4/26)
• Selection Interview
• Background
• Appointment

The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package to Management Employees' Organization members including:
The SALARY RANGE is composed of seven steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance.
PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations.
TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year.
GENERAL LEAVE with pay of 176 hours is granted to regular employees. After four years' service additional general leave hours are earned, up to 256 hours after fifteen years' service.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 60 hours per calendar year.
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PLANS are available for eligible employees to develop their knowledge and abilities.
GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as a new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13 and has no prior membership in a California public retirement system; is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA. Employees enrolled in CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013 are considered classic members.
The benefit formula, final compensation period, and member contribution rate is as represented below:
Classic Miscellaneous Members:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2.5% at age 55
Final Compensation Period 1-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 9.0% of Reportable Compensation
New Miscellaneous Members under PEPRA:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2% at age 62
Final Compensation Period 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 8.25% of Reportable Compensation (eff. 7/1/23)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Two voluntary deferred compensation 457 plans are available.
CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans.
FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: Employees will have the option of working a 5/40 or 9/80 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. Employees assigned to the Police Department shall retain the option of working the 4/10 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. In order to maintain service to the public, departmental effectiveness, productivity and/or efficiency, a Department Head may assign an employee a different work schedule that is in compliance with the requirements of FLSA with City Manager approval.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.
For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: Click on the links under "Management Employees' Organization".
01
Do you possess a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college in business, public administration, or other related field?

• Yes
• No

02
Indicate the years of experience you possess in the management of a comprehensive risk management program.

• None
• Less than five (5) years
• At least five (5) years but less than seven (7) years
• Seven (7) years or more

03
Do you possess a valid Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation?

• Yes
• No

Required Question