The Risk Management Division consists of four programs:

Administrative Operations

• Create and maintain risk management information system.
• Review and execute contracts, agreements, leases, and grants.
• Identify, evaluate, and rate all risks of accidental loss.
• Respond to citizen and public requests for assistance.
• Respond to employee, supervisor and management requests for assistance.
• Market and negotiate placement of commercial insurance policies.
• Initiate investigation and recovery of costs for loss or damage to City property caused by insurable perils or a negligent third party.

For more information, contact:
Mark Howard
Risk Manager
(805) 897-2654
(805) 897-2642 Fax
mhoward@santabarbaraca.gov

Liability

• Administer incident claims and procedures.
• Investigate departmental activities relative to claimed damages.
• Pay or deny claims and communicate findings to claimants.
• Represent the City in Small Claims court.
• Request and track hazard mitigation throughout City activities.
• Provide tailored loss prevention classes to City personnel.
• Consult with departments to assess workplace security needs.
• Prepare preventability reports of vehicle and equipment damage.
• Organize defensive driving classes and materials.
• Notarize City and employee documents.
• Report loss amounts monthly and annually.
• Assess and provide loss prevention training.
• Claim for Damages Against the City of Santa Barbara (PDF Form).

For more information, contact:
Marisa Kahn
Risk Analyst II
(805) 897-2585
(805) 897-2642 Fax
mkahn@santabarbaraca.gov 

Workers' Compensation (related to City Employees only)

• Ensure compliance with federal and California laws, monitor legislation, legal opinions, and case law for changes in the law.
• Collect, maintain, and analyze loss data.
• Investigate, evaluate, and authorize all new lost time claims.
• Approve the use of salary continuation.
• Approve the expenditures, evaluate and recommend settlement proposals, and obtain approval for settlement payments.
• Ensure that the third party administrator completes all required elements of contracts.
• Assist outside legal counsel to defend claims and coordinate subrogation recovery.
• Notify management of any permanent work restriction for injured employees and evaluate industrial disability retirement applications.
• Assist managers and supervisors to return an injured employee to regular or modified duty and develop a modified duty contract.
• Respond to employee, supervisor and management inquiries, and provide training on workers' compensation.

For more information, contact:
Michael Ranson
Risk Analyst II
(805) 897-2619
(805) 897-2642 Fax
mranson@santabarbaraca.gov

Occupational Health & Safety (related to City Employees only)

• Review and update the Injury Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) to conform with Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) regulatory changes.
• Maintain and schedule master IIPP compliance activities and other safety training regulations according to state law.
• Provide training guidance and resources to supervisors.
• Conduct job safety analysis for job classifications with most frequent work injuries.
• Identify job task hazards that cause the most frequent work injuries and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain City network of internal occupational safety trainers.

For more information, contact:
Julie Ruggieri
Risk Technician
(805) 564-5347
(805) 897-2642 Fax
jruggieri@santabarbaraca.gov