Workers' Compensation Lead

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

UCI Human Resources (HR) serves the UCI enterprise in three distinct business units: Health (Academic Hospitals and Community Network), College of Health Sciences, and Main Campus. UCI HR's vision is to empower people to drive a culture of innovation, learning, and service that requires us to enable the success of individuals within the UCI community and those who aspire to join. The HR enterprise consists of the Partnership for Strategy and Innovation (Partnership), People Services, Health HR, Campus HR, and the Office of the Senior Vice President and Vice Chancellor, Human Resources. The Partnership serves as a strategic center responsible for planning and implementing strategic initiatives across the entire UCI HR enterprise. People Services is a trusted partner in providing administrative support functions that allow the UCI community to focus on their core functions to accomplish the UCI mission of teaching, research, public service, and patient care. Members of the Partnership and People Services work in close collaboration with all three business units to leverage expertise across the enterprise.

https://hr.uci.edu/

The Workers' Compensation (WC) Lead serves as a dedicated resource within Human Resources, responsible for the oversight and strategic management of the university's workers' compensation program. This position plays a critical role in transforming UC Irvine's approach to workers' compensation from a reactive to a proactive model - streamlining claim processes, reducing loss frequency and severity, and implementing data-driven risk mitigation strategies across all campus departments.

The WC Lead applies knowledge of California workers' compensation law, claims management practices, and occupational health principles to independently manage the full lifecycle of workers' compensation claims from first report of injury through resolution. The incumbent serves as a knowledgeable and reliable resource for injured employees, supervisors, and departmental administrators - providing consultation, guidance, and direct assistance to ensure timely access to care and consistent application of claim procedures across all campus units. A key function of this role is coordinating closely with UC Irvine's third-party workers' compensation claims administrator to facilitate effective communication, monitor claim activity, and ensure that claim handling aligns with university policies, California regulatory requirements, and program goals.

Beyond day-to-day claims management and oversight, this position is instrumental in advancing a broader strategic shift within UC Irvine's workers' compensation program - moving from a reactive, case-by-case approach toward a proactive, data-informed model of risk management and loss prevention. The Workers' Compensation Lead analyzes claims data to identify trends and risk factors, develops and delivers training programs to improve departmental compliance and reporting practices, and builds cross-functional partnerships with other units to address workplace injury risks before they result in lost time and increased costs.

Applies knowledge of workers' compensation and job protected leaves to manage processes for employees. Provides consultation, assistance and manages cases. Coordinates with workers' compensation, disability management, benefits, and labor and employee relations.

Required:

• Thorough knowledge of FMLA, CFRA, PFL, PDL, Workers Comp, Military Leave, ERISA, HIPAA and applicable state and federal laws.
• Working knowledge of rules and regulations affecting employee benefit programs.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and safeguard information.
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively and with confidence.
• Skill and sensitivity in dealing with others. Ability to handle difficult and complicated issues with professionalism and sound judgement.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to build relationships, collaborate and problem solve across all levels of the organization.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to provide high level of service and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Knowledge of computer databases and Windows software.
• Ability to effectively utilize a case management software.
• Knowledge of CA workers compensation, and disability insurance programs; such as experience in the administration and counseling of income replacement insurance plans.
• Ability to motivate and develop team members.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Minimum six years of progressive benefits, worker's compensation, leave, and/or like experiences.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of state laws pertaining to workers' compensation.
• Knowledge of UCI organization, UC policies, procedures, and structure.
• Knowledge of UCI payroll personnel system and procedures.
• Knowledge of and application of UC's Insurance regulations and medical plans.
• Knowledge of UC or UCI collective bargaining agreements.
• PHR/SPHR, SHRM/SHRM-CP, World at Work or like credential.
• Professional administrative experience in higher education, healthcare, and/or large complex organization strongly preferred.
• Training with an emphasis in worker's compensation preferred.

Total Rewards

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $71,600 - $99,500 (Annual).

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.