Workers' Comp RetroDrug & Alcohol Program Director

Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is recruiting a full-time Workers Comp Retro/Drug & Alcohol Program Director to join our dynamic and customer orientated team.

Founded in 1933 AWC is a private nonprofit nonpartisan organization which provides a wide array of services to all 281 cities and towns in the State of Washington. AWC builds connections between our states diverse cities and towns while providing our members with the support needed to thrive through delivery of data-driven education nationally recognized pooling programs and nonpartisan advocacy. Membership is voluntary and we are proud that AWC maintains 100% participation. AWC is a vibrant fast-paced organization supported by 70 employees who are passionate about serving our members. We have a diverse team with subject matter expertise in various areas.

The AWC Workers Comp Retro Program provides training and tools that empower employers to lower risks for on-the-job injuries. The Retro programs focus is on injury prevention and safety to reduce our members overall workers compensation costs and provide the opportunity for refunds.

Summary:

This position leads and manages the organizations Workers Compensation Retrospective Rating Program and Drug & Alcohol Consortium providing leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operations. The incumbent leads and manages the claims and loss prevention functions of the Retro Program and is primarily responsible for membership retention and new membership development. The incumbent also provides programmatic leadership of the Drug & Alcohol Consortium to ensure member compliance with the federal regulations.

AWC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We value the unique views backgrounds experiences expertise and potential of all our employees. We are committed to following our core values of collaboration equity innovation integrity and respect.

Compensation and benefits:

Salary

The full salary range for this position is $105401 - $158102 annually. The top candidates placement within the range will typically fall between the minimum and 25th percentile of the range depending on education training experience and other conditions consistent with AWC policy. A compensation market analysis is completed every other year. As outlined in policy AWC employees generally receive an annual adjustment based on market and economic changes and an increase based on meeting full performance expectations.

Health insurance

AWC pays 100% of the medical premium for employees and 90% of the medical premium for spouse/domestic partner and child(ren) up to age 26. Dental and vision insurance are 100% employer-paid for employees and eligible dependents.

Retirement benefits

For every $1 an employee contributes toward their 401(k) AWC matches the contribution with $1.20 up to 10% of the employees base salary subject to IRS thresholds. Employer match can also be applied towards eligible student loan payments.

Paid leave

Four hours of paid vacation leave in the first year of employment for every semi-monthly pay period with vacation accrual increasing over time; four hours of paid sick leave for every semi-monthly pay period; 11 paid holidays and two floating holidays each year.

Additional benefits

Basic life insurance and disability insurance; employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) ranging from $770 to $1980 based upon enrollment in the medical insurance plans; access to outstanding performance awards and tuition assistance; and staff appreciation events.

This position is eligible to telework on certain days of the week subject to approval and as determined by AWC.

Recruitment closes on October 27 2025 at 9:00 am.

What youll be doing:

• Provide leadership and management in the development and delivery of relevant and innovative programs for association members that subscribe to the Retro Program and the D&A Consortium.
• Coordinate and oversee all activities related to workers compensation claims management.
• Review and address protests to Retro adjustments based on claims costs actions and employer-based decisions.
• Develop oversee and monitor the Retro Program and D&A Consortium budgets.
• Develop an annual communications and training work plan.
• Oversee and contribute to strong member communications including newsletters website content resource manuals and regulatory updates.
• Maintain WorkSafe Employer standards that reflect workers comp best practices for basis of awards program.
• Provide consultative and technical services to members who participate in the Retro Program.
• Assess member needs identify trends and recommend and implement strategies and projects to meet those needs.
• Provide staff support participation and preparation of meeting and meeting materials for all required program reports to the Retro Advisory Committee (RAC) and the Retro Board of Directors.
• Negotiate contracts with and monitor the services and work products of contracted vendors and consultants.
• Serve as liaison to Washington State Labor and Industries Retro Program.
• Oversee the program administration vendor management regulatory compliance and member services of the D&A Consortium including technical inquiries communications and training.
• Be an active member of the team of Member Pooling Program directors by exhibiting collaboration to deliver high-quality solutions that address evolving risk management health and workplace safety needs across MPP member programs.
• Supervise three full-time employees and two indirectly.
• Incumbent will travel to trainings and events; overnight stays are expected to exceed 20 nights per a year.

Requirements:

• 5 years of professional experience in insurance related work insurance benefits underwriting auditing disability claims adjudication or related experience.
• 3 years experience in a supervisory position or demonstrated ability.
• Bachelors degree in a related field; Masters degree preferred; experience may be substituted year-for-year for academic achievement.
• Related designations preferred
• Must maintain a valid Washington state drivers license in good standing.

What you bring to the team:

• Extensive knowledge and skill in all aspects of state workers compensation law and practices and workers compensation retrospective rating program.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis.
• Skilled at leading and managing projects.
• Ability to effectively supervise and manage a diverse team of staff members involved in a variety of activities.
• Knowledge of basic math finance and accounting skills to develop budgets and monitor financial reports.
• Knowledge of U.S. Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations with particular focus on their applicability to governmental entities.
• Ability to plan organize and prioritize multiple diverse work tasks for self and others.
• Demonstrate creativity and willingness to experiment with new ideas.
• Skilled communicator with the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to both internal and external customers.
• Ability to be flexible and open to changing priorities and managing multiple tasks simultaneously within compressed timeframes.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to make effective decisions and to act independently in managing and coordinating assigned duties.
• Ability to meet deadlines and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 office products and can learn and use a wide variety of proprietary software.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity equity inclusion and belonging through continuous development modeling inclusive behaviors and proactive management of personal bias.
• Ability to protect the confidentiality integrity and availability of data assets and services through understanding of and adherence to all security and data privacy policies and practices.

Working conditions:

The hours worked by exempt employees are often irregular and may begin and end beyond the normal workday when necessary. Position requires teamwork and relationship building with staff in other departments which includes a substantial number of in-person meetings. Employees are expected to be present in the office on a regular basis as needed for fostering leadership maintaining strong team connections and supporting effective collaboration and decision-making.

Work is performed primarily in an office setting and sedentary in nature with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Incumbent must be able to lift and carry objects up to 30 pounds at times. Work may involve standing for long periods walking on uneven or slippery terrain climbing stooping kneeling crawling and repetitive motions with hands wrists and fingers. Incumbent may experience exposure to hazardous materials unusual loud sounds and various climates; AWC employees shall not enter environments or spaces with identified or potential hazardous exposures without appropriate PPE or other controls sufficient to make the exposures non-hazardous. Driving an automobile is necessary incumbent may spend prolonged periods in a vehicle.

To request reasonable accommodations in the application process please email

AWC is looking for people who can help us achieve our mission and vision not just check the boxes. If youre excited about this role and interested in supporting local government we encourage you to apply. You might just be the right candidate for this role or other roles at AWC!

All offers of employment are contingent to authorization for employment in the United States criminal background check reference checks and required education/credential verification. Information obtained from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but may be considered.

All AWC employees must work in Washington state unless explicitly preapproved by the CEO to work in Oregon or Idaho.

AWC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity on our team. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race color religion creed sex sexual orientation national origin ancestry age perceived or actual physical or mental disability genetic information marital status veteran status gender identity or expression as required by federal state and local laws.