Risk Management and Purchasing Director

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This executive-level position directs and administers the City's Risk Management and Purchasing Department. The position is responsible for strategic planning, development, implementation, and oversight of comprehensive citywide programs in risk management, insurance administration, occupational safety, emergency operations support, procurement, contract compliance, central stores, and inventory control.

Responsibilities include oversight of the City's self-insurance and commercial insurance programs; claims administration; contractual risk transfer and insurance requirements; employee safety and loss prevention initiatives; procurement operations and compliance with competitive bidding requirements; and emergency preparedness coordination. The position also exercises oversight authority of the City's comprehensive safety programs.

The incumbent exercises a high degree of independent judgment, initiative, and discretion in administering departmental operations, establishing policies and procedures, and advising executive leadership on risk exposure, insurance coverage, procurement practices, and operational compliance matters. Work is performed under the general direction of the City Manager's Office and is evaluated through conferences, reports, operational outcomes, and achievement of strategic objectives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs the development, implementation, and administration of comprehensive citywide purchasing and risk management programs designed to protect the City's assets, reduce liability exposure, minimize operational losses, and ensure compliance with procurement regulations and competitive bidding requirements.
• Administers the City's insurance and self-insurance programs, including procurement, renewal, underwriting analysis, policy evaluation, reserve analysis, claims management, and risk financing strategies.
• Develops and administers programs related to property and casualty insurance, automobile liability, general liability, and other related risk financing programs.
• Oversees the City's procurement operations, including purchasing, contract compliance, central stores, inventory control, and related operational functions.
• Reviews and evaluates insurance specifications, contracts, indemnification provisions, and coverage requirements to ensure appropriate risk transfer and regulatory compliance.
• Serves as the City's liaison with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, attorneys, brokers, consultants, medical providers, regulatory agencies, and other external stakeholders regarding insurance, claims, procurement, safety, and risk management matters.
• Directs the investigation, administration, and resolution of claims involving workers' compensation, liability, property damage, and other insured or self-insured exposures, including participation in mediations, hearings, depositions, and trials as necessary.
• Analyzes loss trends, claims data, and operational risks to identify root causes and implement corrective actions, loss prevention strategies, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Oversees and evaluates citywide occupational safety programs to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations and standards.
• Directs the development and delivery of employee safety, compliance, and risk management training programs.
• Provides strategic guidance and consultation to department directors and City leadership regarding procurement practices, contractual risk exposure, insurance requirements, and employee safety initiatives.
• Supervises departmental personnel, establishes performance expectations, and ensures accountability, operational efficiency, and professional development within assigned divisions.
• Coordinates the resolution of purchasing disputes, bid protests, and procurement-related issues.
• Prepares and administers departmental budgets and monitors expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Ensures departmental alignment with the City's strategic goals, operational priorities, and organizational values.
• May be required to participate in or facilitate training programs in support of departmental or City initiatives.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or alternate hours as necessary to support operational needs, emergency response activities, or City initiatives.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Risk Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Insurance, Political Science, or a related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible experience administering comprehensive risk management, insurance, claims administration, occupational safety, procurement, or related public sector operations.
• Five years of supervisory experience.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Experience in public sector procurement, self- insurance administration, contract review, litigation coordination, and governmental risk financing is highly desirable.
• Professional certifications are preferred, including but not limited to: Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), Florida Health, Life and Annuity License, and Florida All Lines Adjuster License.
• This position is subject to the financial disclosure requirements of Chapter 112, Florida Statutes, and must file all required disclosures with prescribed timelines.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

• Principles and practices of public sector risk management, insurance administration, self-insurance programs, and governmental procurement operations.
• Property and casualty insurance coverages, claims administration, reserve analysis, risk financing, and contractual risk transfer.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards governing occupational safety, purchasing, contracting, and public administration.
• Principles and practices of employee safety training, loss prevention, emergency preparedness, and organizational risk mitigation.
• Municipal purchasing policies, competitive bidding procedures, contract administration, and inventory management practices.

ABILITIES:

• Analyze operational risks, claims trends, and procurement issues and develop effective corrective strategies.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, contracts, and technical insurance provisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, employees, attorneys, insurers, consultants, vendors, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including the preparation of reports, presentations, and policy recommendations.
• Exercise sound judgment, initiative, discretion, and decision-making in complex or sensitive situations.
• Plan, organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple projects and operational responsibilities.
• Operate a City vehicle in the performance of assigned duties.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment and involves sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and routine use of computers and standard office equipment.
• May require travel to various City facilities and off-site locations to conduct inspections, investigations, meetings, training, or represent the City on official business.
• Normal visual acuity, hearing, speaking, manual dexterity, and the ability to communicate effectively in person and by telephone.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2026 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 4.52%

Employer 15.54%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.54%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at ....

Employer City of Lakeland, Civil Service

Address 500 N Lake Parker Avenue

Lakeland, Florida, 33801

Phone ...

Website