Program Manager - Workers' Compensation & Occupational Health

Chelan County PUD is located in the geographical center of Washington State at the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers.   A public power leader, the complex and progressive nature of PUD operations offer a unique mix of challenges and opportunities.
We rely on the mighty Columbia River for much of our hydropower generation and we're proud to take a leadership role in environmental stewardship as related to this great river system. Each year we dedicate millions of dollars and thousands of work hours to protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plant ecosystems. As part of hydropower operations, we've also built 14 parks that serve more than 3 million visitors each year.
Rated by Forbes in 2017 and 2019 as one of the top 25 places to retire, Wenatchee is a recreational paradise with an abundance of adventure. The natural scenic beauty of the Wenatchee Valley provides a vivid backdrop to its thriving economy, where the quality of life is high and the climate is moderate with four distinct seasons, including more than 200 days of sunshine!
We are a small town to some and big city to others. We invest in our children and believe that education is the key to our future success.
We live a life of abundant choices and enjoy water sports on the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers, hiking, biking, rock climbing and unlimited golfing. Downhill and cross-country skiing are just minutes away. The area is also known for producing quality wines.
Consider Chelan PUD as a career choice today! The community is waiting for you.
Chelan PUD is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce. M/F/Vet/Disabled

APPLICATION MATERIALS
Applicants are required to submit a combined cover letter and resume in one PDF document. Your cover letter must summarize your education and experience as it relates to the role.  Incomplete materials will not be considered.
To expedite the application process, combine your cover letter and resume into one PDF document before applying and upload electronically when requested in the online application process.
This position is OPEN UNTIL FILLED and applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.  The first review date for application materials is scheduled for 
Interested parties are also invited to contact Human Resources at joblist@chelanpud.org to discuss the position.

SALARY RANGE
The hiring range will be $103,280 - $129,100, with a maximum opportunity of up to $154,920 with tenure and strong performance.
Introductory Period: New employees holding regular positions must complete an introductory period of twelve months.

BENEFITS
In addition to competitive wages Chelan PUD employees also enjoy outstanding benefits which include zero cost employer funded medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits, access to the employee assistance program, a VEBA health reimbursement account, and long-term care.
Washington state retirement PERS participation and optional 457 plan participation with an employer matching 401(a) plan.
Leave, life & disability benefits including paid leave starting at 21 days per calendar year up to 35 with tenure, 11 paid holidays per calendar year, paid jury duty, short-term disability & long-term disability, and basic life, AD&D, and optional voluntary life.
The work life benefits include optional flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care, educational assistance, various rewards and recognition programs and position specific stipends.
For more explanation of the district benefits please visit our benefits website www.mychelanpudbenefits.org.

JOB POSTING
Overview
Manages the District's Workers Compensation & Occupational Health programs including Worker's Compensation Fund, Occupational Health Programs (e.g., respiratory fitness, hearing loss, asbestos, dive team physicals), CDL Programs, and Fitness for Duty management. Oversees the self-insured Worker's Compensation fund, including provider, vendor, and consultant contracts. Provides strategic recommendations to optimize performance and control costs in occupational health services. Collaborates with Safety & Health Managers to maximize value for the District.

Responsibilities

• Manage the District’s Workers’ Compensation Program by ensuring policies, standards, and procedures comply with regulations and best practices. Coordinate with medical providers to respond to injuries and illnesses, focusing on employee care. Facilitate authorizations for diagnostics, medications, and surgeries with third-party adjudicators, medical providers, pharmacies, and claimants. Oversee settlement negotiations and manage injury/illness records, including annual OSHA log filings. Execute and manage contracts with third-party Workers’ Compensation Adjudicators for self-insured status. Ensure compliance with self-insured regulations, perform financial reconciliations, set risk class rates, fund surety bonds, and maintain excess insurance policies. Collaborate on claims settlements and represent the District in legal proceedings. Work with regulatory agencies like Labor and Industries and the State Auditor’s Office as required.
• Manage the District's CDL program in compliance with regulations. Oversee the Federal Motor Carrier Administration Clearinghouse and Training Provider Registry, conduct annual CDL queries, and manage drug/alcohol testing with a 3rd party medical review officer. Partner with management on the CDL Training School and provide compliance training.
• Manage the Hearing Loss Prevention program, collaborating with Industrial Hygiene and Safety & Health teams. Oversee audiograms, equipment, and service contracts. Coordinate reviews, monitor hearing shifts, ensure compliance reporting, and lead as the certified occupational hearing conservationist. Develop and maintain hearing policies and procedures in line with regulations.
• Manage the fitness for duty program in compliance with federal and state regulations. Collaborate with Safety, HR/Labor Relations, Legal and field management to provide compliance training on fitness for duty requirements and District policies. Coordinate drug and alcohol testing, reporting results to HR/Labor Relations and Legal as needed.
• Manage and negotiate contracts for medical services across District programs (e.g., asbestos and respirator surveillance, diver certifications, hearing conservation, medical follow-up referrals, etc.). Execute professional service agreements with 3rd party vendors in partnership with internal contract services. Manage internal software systems for tracking certifications and expirations of medical surveillance clearances.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
• As an essential function, drive a motorized vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the District.

Reports To
Director - Safety, Health and H&OP

Overtime exemption
Exempt

Qualifications

Education
Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education.

• Bachelor's Degree (B.S., B.A.) from four-year college or university in Occupational Health, Safety Management, Human Resources, Interdisciplinary Studies, or a related field is required. 
• Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education. 

Experience

• 5+ years progressively responsible experience managing worker’s compensation, occupational Safety & Health, and/or CDL programs is required. 

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid Driver's License at hire and WA Driver's License within 30 days of hire Washington State Drivers License upon hire is required. 
• Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) within 180 days required.
• Washington Workers Compensation Professional (WWCP) within 24 months required. 

Skills and Abilities
A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge skills & abilities: 

• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to worker’s compensation, occupational health, and commercial driver license (CDL) programs, including OSHA, FMCSA, DOT, and other relevant regulations. 
• In-depth understanding of self-insured worker’s compensation programs, including injury response protocols, claims management, settlement negotiations, and financial reconciliation.
• Expertise in occupational health principles, including hearing loss prevention, respiratory protection, asbestos management, and other related health surveillance programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of CDL program requirements, including the FMCSA Clearinghouse, drug and alcohol testing protocols, and CDL certification processes. 
• Proficiency in managing contracts with third-party vendors, including negotiation, execution, and compliance monitoring. 
• In-depth knowledge of the District's Operational Excellence and Human Performance Improvement (HPI) strategies and practices. 
• Effective negotiation skills for managing contracts with vendors, adjudicators, and medical providers, ensuring favorable terms and compliance with District requirements. 
• Strong oral and written communication skills. 
• Effective leadership skills. 
• Sound decision-making abilities, particularly in high-stakes situations such as settlement negotiations, legal proceedings, and safety protocol enhancements. 
• Goal oriented focus on effective business management.
• Familiarity with safety data collection, trend analysis, and reporting to support decision-making and enhance program performance. 
• Interpret regulatory rules and apply to program activities and policies. 
• Communicate with all levels of the District, including an open public forum 
• Effectively manage multiple priorities while motivating others and achieving results 
• Formulate and/or oversee policy and procedure development and implementation 
• Remain calm in a crisis and respond after hours 
• Translate broad strategies into existing processes and actionable tasks. 
• To perform this job successfully, an individual is required to have basic knowledge of PeopleSoft HRIS and PeopleSoft Financials; intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Maximo Order Processing, data analytics (COGNOS), governance and compliance systems (i.e. GRC/Enablon) and General Office Equipment. 
• Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English. 
• This position communicates with the public 5 - 20% of the time. Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is desired.

Physical Demands

• Sitting – Regularly
• Standing – Occasionally
• Walking – Occasionally
• Stooping/Bending – Occasionally
• Reach Waist to Shoulder – Occasionally
• Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, mousing, etc.) – Frequently
• Repetitive Motions – Frequently
• Talking – Frequently
• Hearing – Frequently
• Visual - Near Acuity – Regularly
• Visual - Far Acuity – Regularly
• Visual - Depth Perception – Regularly
• Visual - Color Discrimination - Regularly

Working Conditions

• Proximity to Moving Mechanical Parts – Occasionally
• Noise Intensity Level: - Moderate

District Values

• Safety - Protect public and employee health and safety
• Stewardship - Acting on behalf of customer-owners, protecting public resources entrusted to us
• Trustworthy - Competence, integrity, respect
• Operational Excellence - High-quality innovative work execution

 

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
A valid driver's license is required for this position (verified upon hire).  A valid Washington State driver's license is required within 30 days of employment.

BACKGROUND SCREENING
Chelan County Public Utility District #1 conducts background screening of personnel who have access to employee confidential information, such as social security numbers, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and/or HIPAA protected information.

DISCLAIMER
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. This should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.

EEO
Chelan PUD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled). We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law.
EEO Law Posters can be found on the main Careers page in English and Spanish. 
Chelan PUD will not be offering any work visa sponsorship for this role.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-I.35(c)