Risk Management Specialist Jobs in Tennessee

Human Resource & Risk Management Director — Job Description

City of Etowah, Tennessee

Position Summary

The Human Resource Director serves as the chief administrator for all personnel, payroll, records management, and risk management functions for the City of Etowah. This position oversees recruitment, hiring, on-boarding, employee relations, benefits administration, payroll processing, compliance reporting, workplace safety, liability mitigation, procurement, grant documentation, bidding processes, and workforce development. The Director ensures that all HR, payroll, purchasing, and risk management policies and practices align with federal, state, and local laws, and supports a professional, ethical, and service‑oriented culture across all departments.

The Human Resource Director is a strategic partner to the City Manager, Finance Director, and department heads—providing guidance on organizational structure, staffing needs, risk exposure, procurement, grant compliance, and employee support. This role requires exceptional judgment, confidentiality, and the ability to navigate complex personnel, payroll, purchasing, and safety matters with fairness and consistency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Recruitment & Hiring

• Manage full-cycle recruitment for all city departments, including job postings, applicant screening, interviews, and selection processes.
• Issue purchase orders for UCI, UPC, Benchmark, and Volunteer Behavior during applicant screening processes.
• Develop and maintain accurate job descriptions and classification structures.
• Ensure hiring practices comply with EEOC, FLSA, ADA, and all applicable laws.
• Report all new hires to the State of Tennessee in accordance with statutory requirements.

Onboarding & Offboarding

• Conduct new hire orientation, benefits enrollment, and policy training.
• Maintain personnel files, digital records, and retention schedules in accordance with MTAS and Tennessee requirements.
• Oversee exit interviews, separation documentation, and final payroll coordination.

Employee Relations

• Ensures employment practices and policies comply with Etowah Human Resource Handbook
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee concerns, conflict resolution, and workplace investigations.
• Provide guidance to supervisors on disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and documentation standards.
• Respond to TDES unemployment claims and provide required documentation.
• Promote a respectful, inclusive, and professional work environment.

Benefits & Compensation

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, leave accruals, and workers’ compensation.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment and employee education sessions.
• Process monthly online payments for employee insurance (BCBS, Principal, and AFLAC).
• Process additional online payments to SentryLink, Department of Safety (MVRs), and other required vendors.
• Work with Finance to ensure accurate payroll changes, deductions, and reporting.

Payroll Administration

• Process bi-weekly payroll for all city employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal and state wage laws.
• Maintain payroll records, timesheets, leave balances, and employee status changes.
• Review and approve leave requests and submit to the City Manager for final approval.
• Update the Skylite calendar promptly with employee leave entries.
• Coordinate payroll corrections, retroactive adjustments, and supplemental payments.
• Ensure proper calculation and reporting of overtime, holiday pay, certifications, stipends, and special pay categories.
• Collaborate with Finance on payroll reconciliation, journal entries, and audit preparation.

Risk Management

• Administer the City’s risk management program, including liability, property, workers’ compensation, and crime coverage.
• Report all workers’ compensation–related injuries to the insurance carrier immediately.
• Document each workplace injury or incident, maintaining complete records, statements, medical updates, and corrective actions.
• Investigate workplace accidents, incidents, and claims; coordinate with insurance carriers, adjusters, legal counsel, and department supervisors.
• Maintain OSHA logs, safety records, and required federal and state reporting.
• Prepare and submit annual insurance renewal applications for workers’ compensation, liability, property damage, and crime coverage.
• Prepare and provide workers’ compensation records for the annual audit.
• Conduct risk assessments and recommend strategies to reduce financial, operational, and personnel-related risks.
• Develop and implement safety policies, training programs, and corrective action plans.
• Coordinate and lead the City’s Safety Committee, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, documenting minutes, and ensuring follow‑through on safety initiatives.
• Serve as the City’s liaison for TML risk management programs, audits, inspections, and claims reviews.

Purchasing & Procurement

• Serve as Purchasing Agent for City Hall, including Amazon procurement and vendor coordination.
• Issue purchase orders for required vendors and services.
• Manage the bidding process for city projects or services, including bid notices, bid packets, compliance checks, and award documentation.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with municipal purchasing laws and internal policy.

Compliance & Reporting

• Prepare and submit required federal, state, and local employment and payroll reports, including tax filings, retirement contributions (TCRS), workers’ compensation documentation, OSHA logs, and FMLA records.
• Maintain compliance with FMLA, FLSA, OSHA, Title VII, Tennessee employment regulations, and municipal policy standards.
• Update and enforce personnel policies, handbooks, and administrative procedures.
• Provide required records for the annual city financial audit.

Other Administrative Duties/Proficiencies

· Computer hardware and software proficiency required

· Ability to count and balance cash drawer twice weekly

· General accounting knowledge required

· Ability to process and receipt credit card and cash payments

· Customer service and public relations skills required

Records Management & Legislative Support

• Assist in preparing agendas for City Commission meetings.
• Manages and ensures timely compliance with Tennessee Open Records Act and FOIA requests.
• Maintain the Resolution and Ordinance numbering system.
• Obtain and maintain signed minutes, resolutions, and ordinances.
• Maintain all grant documents, including copies of grants, purchases, payments, reimbursement requests, and compliance records.
• Coordinate publication of City Commission meeting notices in the local newspaper
• Coordinate with the City’s website and Facebook manager to ensure timely posting of agendas, notices, and public information.

Training & Development

• Identify training needs and coordinate professional development opportunities for staff and supervisors.
• Provide coaching on leadership, communication, and performance management.
• Maintain records of mandatory certifications and continuing education.

Strategic & Administrative Leadership

• Advise the City Manager and department heads on staffing, organizational planning, workforce trends, procurement, and risk exposure.
• Oversee HR technology systems, digital records, and workflow improvements.
• Support transparent, accessible communication with citizens and staff through consistent public‑facing updates.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment, payroll, purchasing, grant, and risk management laws.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulations, and procedural standards.
• Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills.
• High level of professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical judgment.
• Skill in managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and sensitive matters.
• Proficiency in Nexgen systems, payroll software, digital recordkeeping, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to build trust, support staff, and uphold consistent accountability.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Five years of progressively responsible HR experience, preferably in municipal government.
• Experience in payroll administration, risk management, purchasing, grant documentation, employee relations, investigations, benefits administration, and policy development.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, IPMA-HR, or similar certifications preferred.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment with frequent interaction with employees, supervisors, and the public.
• Requires handling confidential information with discretion.
• Occasional travel for training, conferences, or regional meetings.

Reports To

City Manager

Supervises

May supervise HR staff, administrative personnel, or cross-departmental project teams as assigned

Pay: $52,582.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person