Assistant Director - Risk Management

Salary: $87,894.00 - $112,178.00 Annually
Location : 37230 37th Street East, Palmdale, CA
Job Type: 12-month
Job Number: 26/27-10/28
Division: Human Resources
Department: Risk Management
Opening Date: 10/28/2026
Closing Date: 11/17/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Summary

Under the direction of the Risk Manager, assists in planning, organizing, and implementing a comprehensive risk management program for the District. This includes workers' compensation, property, liability, and cyber-risk programs, safety initiatives, regulatory compliance, and direct supervision of assigned department staff.
Representative Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

1. Assist in planning, organizing, and coordinating District risk management programs, including workers' compensation, property, liability, cyber liability, and student accident insurance.
2. Coordinate the review, selection, and negotiation of claims administrators, underwriters, and insurance brokers; evaluate proposed bids and contracts.
3. Oversee the receipt, tracking, and processing of workers' compensation forms, notices, and employer reports to designated claims administrators.
4. Manage the District's return-to-work program and consult on the interactive process regarding employee injuries, work restrictions, and reasonable accommodations; assist site representatives and supervisors with accident reporting.
5. Facilitate the preparation of risk management records, loss summaries, and cost analyses to guide administrative decision-making.
6. Inspect District facilities and grounds to identify safety hazards and evaluate compliance with risk mitigation standards.
7. Participates in the investigation of incidents and coordinates the preparation of material and evidence for use in hearings, litigation, and property and liability claim cases.
8. Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff, recommending personnel actions as appropriate.
9. Develop and conduct employee training, safety workshops, and loss-prevention seminars.
10. Serve as liaison between the District, employees, third party claims administrators (TPAs), legal counsel, and joint powers authorities (JPAs).
11. Prepare reports and presentations for the Board of Trustees, employee groups, and management.
12. Perform related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Click here to review complete job description.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major in business administration, public administration, safety management, risk management, or a closely related field. Completion of forty-eight (48) semester units of college coursework with the same major areas of academic focus can substitute for the Associate degree.

An Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation or Certified Risk Managers Program (CSRM) designation may be substituted for one year of required experience.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in risk management, workers' compensation, and liability administration within an entity of comparable size.

Licenses and Other Certifications
Hold and maintain a valid California Driver's License. The availability of private transportation or ability to provide transportation between job sites is required.

Ability to be covered under the District property/liability insurance.
Special Requirements: The ability to speak, read and write a second language other than English, such as Spanish, is desirable.
Employment Standards
Application FilingApplications for this position must be filed online during the specified recruitment period. Applicants will receive notifications electronically by email only.

Applicants must complete all required fields of the application and provide a copy of the following documents, preferably in .pdf format, for attachment to the application:

• Introductory Cover Letter
• Resume
• Two (2) Current Letters of Recommendation,preferably on company letterhead; must be dated and signed by the author (outdated letters will not be accepted.)
• Proof of Education - Official transcript, if applicable, from accredited college/university to confirm degree awarded and date conferred.
• References - Contact detailsfor two (2) professional references, distinct from those who composed letters of recommendation (contact details for relatives will not be considered.)

*Applications submitted without the required documents will be considered incomplete and disqualified*
Note: Completed high school or college-level coursework at an institution in a country other than the United States must provide a Foreign Equivalency Certification to satisfy the education requirement for the position. Foreign Equivalency Certification can be obtained for a fee from a professional agency recognized by the

Examination InformationFollowing the training and experience evaluation that includes a review of responses to supplemental questions, the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the structured interview examination. Make-up exams will not be offered.

After the exam procedure concludes for this recruitment, an eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. When eligibility lists include open and promotional lists of qualified persons through competitive examination, the promotional list will be used first, unless otherwise stated on this bulletin.

Structured Interview Exam
Projected Date Range: Monday, November 30, 2026, through Friday, December 5, 2026
Location: The oral examination (technical interview) may be conducted in-person or remotely using Zoom. To participate remotely, you must have access to a computer with a camera, microphone, speakers, and a reliable connection to the internet. The examination components and dates are subject to change as needs dictate. All communication regarding this process will be delivered via email.

Work ScheduleThis is an exempt position with a full-time schedule at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week, and observes a 12-month work calendar. Occasionally, the position requires the employee to work irregular or extended hours.

Compensation
Salary placement for new employees is typically at the first step of the appropriate salary range for this classification. Upon successful completion of the initial probationary period, a one-step salary advance shall be granted with all future annual advances occurring on the established anniversary date.

Probationary PeriodAn employee appointed to this classification must serve a probationary period of one (1) year during which time the employee must demonstrate an overall satisfactory performance. No employee shall attain permanent status in the classified service until they have completed a probationary period. An employee may be released at any time during the probationary period.

Benefits
The District offers a generous and comprehensive benefit package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and qualified legal dependents. Health and welfare benefits are earned in accordance with the District's insurance program. Clickhereto view the current benefit plan matrix.

LeavesOne (1) day of paid leave of absence is earned for each full month of service. The amount of sick leave granted may be accumulated from year to year. Vacation is earned at the rate of two (2) days for each month in paid status for a maximum of 24 days per year. There are seventeen (17) paid holidays that fall within the work year.

Accommodation
Individuals with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation in the selection process must inform the Palmdale School District Personnel Commission in writing, no later than the filing date stated on the job announcement. Those applicants needing accommodation should document this request in an email to slelliott@palmdalesd.org, including an explanation as to the type and extent of the accommodation needed to participate in the selection process. Proof of a disabling condition(s) as confirmed by medical documentation may be required.

Work Environment
Employees in this classification work primarily in an indoor office environment with frequent interruptions, and changing priorities and deadlines.

Physical Requirements
Employees in this classification sit for extended periods, stand, walk, stoop/bend, reach overhead, push/pull, lift/carry; finger dexterity to write, operate a computer and telephone; speak clearly; normal vision and hearing with or without correction; visual acuity to see small details and read small print; drive a vehicle to conduct work.
01

The following supplemental questions give you the opportunity to fully explain your background and qualifications as they pertain to the Assistant Director-Risk Management position. The information provided in answer to these questions may be considered in determining whether you will move forward in the recruitment process. Your answers are required for your application to be considered complete. The information that you provide will be evaluated as it stands, and revisions to clarify the information provided are not allowed. Respond honestly and truthfully to all questions. Overstating your skill level is considered false and/or misleading information. Applicants found to have provided false or misleading information of their skills or experience will be disqualified from further processing, or if hired, immediately terminated from employment.NOTE: All work experience and education that is described or included in your response(s) must be reflected in the "Work Experience" and "Education" sections of the application. A résumé or other documentation to convey this information will not be considered in lieu of completing all sections of the application. Providing incomplete responses or answering "See Resume" or "See Application" may automatically disqualify your application from further consideration. I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02

Which of the following best describes the highest level of education you have successfully completed? All education completed including the degree major must be identified in the appropriate section of the application.

• High School Diploma or educational equivalent
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree

03

Indicate your years of professional-level experience in the area of Risk Management operations, including workers' compensation, and property and liability.

• No Experience
• Less than six months
• At least six months, but less than one year
• At least one year, but less than two years
• At least two years, but less than three years
• At least three years, but less than four years
• At least four years, but less than five years
• Five years or more

04

Do you possess a valid California driver's license and adequate insurance coverage?

• Yes
• No

05

Spanish language proficiency is desired for this position. Are you fluent in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish?

• Yes
• No

06

CERTIFICATION: Do you possess an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation or Certified Risk Managers Program (CSRM) designation? If you respond "Yes" please attach proof of the designation to your application.

• Yes
• No

07

Describe your experience in handling risk management matters while acting as a representative or liaison between your employer and public agencies, contractors, the public, and other groups. Include the name of the organization you worked for, your role, and amount of time in the position. If you do not have experience in this area, type "N/A."
08

Describe your related experience investigating liability, property, auto, and general liability claims. Include the name of the organization you worked for, your role, and amount of time in the position. If you do not have experience in this area, type "N/A."
09

Describe the different insurance programs you have worked with that encompassed enrollment, claims processing and problem reso