Michelle Casciato
Surprise,AZ
Summary
Proven leader in Human Resources and Risk Management, notably with City of Glendale, adept at crisis management and leveraging investigative skills to optimize workflow and mitigate risks. Demonstrates resilience in fast-paced environments, excelling in team leadership and analytical problem resolution. Achieved significant reductions in liability through strategic risk assessments and claims management.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Human Resources/Risk Management
City of Glendale
Glendale, USA
09.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: Administers the City's self-insured property and liability program, the City’s insurance program, and the Risk Information Management System (RIMS)
- Origami is current platform
- Provides professional advice, strategic direction and consultation to managers, supervisors and employees regarding liability matters, potential incidents, risk transfer, claims, litigation, federal and state laws, policies and guidelines
- Identifies, develops, implements, and reviews risk management programs to avert or limit serious impact on City's financial structure from unplanned or uncontrolled losses
- Administers the property and liability claim program which includes the investigation and evaluation of claims, determining any risk transfer strategies, and appropriate settlement action; negotiates with claimant or claimant’s attorney in settling claims within prescribed guidelines
- Conducts complex recoveries
- Manages the procurement of workers compensation, property and liability insurance by consulting with internal departments, completing renewal applications, evaluating coverage for each line of insurance, processing binders and evaluating final insurance policies
- Identifies training and development needs through consultation with directors, managers, employees and loss control initiatives
- Provides direction to brokers, attorneys, consultants, and vendors about claims management, City insurance program and RIMS
- Oversees and participates in performing market cost/benefit analysis; prepares and reviews request for proposals (RFPs), bid specifications and agreements
- Develops, monitors and implements program policies and procedures; ensures conformance of program operations to standards and regulations
- Meets with directors, managers, employees to address safety, insurance and liability concerns, which relate to Risk Management
- Conducts and supervises extensive field investigations and assists departments with such investigations; Participates in the inspection and review of City operations and facilities; assesses risks; recommends appropriate corrective action
- Provides leadership and/or participates in day or evening meetings (small and large groups; local or regional) for the purpose of learning about and/or presenting information; or facilitating discussion and/or resolving complex, technical and professional risk issues
- Provides advice, knowledge and expertise in litigation cases to include depositions, testifying at hearings and settlement negotiations
- Administers the City's self-insured property and liability program, the City’s insurance program, and the Risk Information Management System (RIMS)
- Origami is current platform
Human Resources/Risk Management
City of Surprise
Surprise, USA
01.2017 - 01.2024
- Company Overview: Responsible for performing all aspects of claims management required by state statute, which involves the self-administration of the City of Surprise Workers' Compensation claims program
- Strong knowledge of Arizona workers’ compensation laws and liability statues
- Knowledge of Human Resource procedures
- Knowledge of State and Federal regulations pertaining to claims handling (General Liability, Auto, Property, Subrogation)
- Knowledge of local state and federal laws and regulations governing human resource functions such as FMLA, HIPAA, ADA, and OSHA
- Strong knowledge of risk management practices and emerging issues to include principles and practices
- Interview injured workers and leadership to assess injury claims to create a Root Cause Analysis
- Open, monitor, then close workers compensation claims for City team members using a claims management database
- Assist with light duty, return to work forms in accordance with the ADA/FMLA guidelines, and pays invoices associated with the claim management process
- Monitors and updates the Emergency Action Plan in accordance to City rules, regulations, and guidelines in coordination with various City departments
- Open, monitor then close general liability, auto liability, property damage, marine inland claims to include subrogation and assisting residents with Notice of Claims to begin the claim process
- Monitor all CDL for City team members
- DER (Designated Employee Representative) for all random drug and alcohol tests performed
- Maintains all scheduling of random testing and monitors the records retention associated
- Assist with Emergency Management efforts as part of the EM task force
- Responsible for performing all aspects of claims management required by state statute, which involves the self-administration of the City of Surprise Workers' Compensation claims program
Workers Compensation & Driver Leader
Swift Transportation
01.2007 - 01.2017
- Lead and retain a designated fleet of drivers
- Establish a good working relationship with each driver
- Manage driver availability to maximize productivity of their fleet
- Perform monthly driver reviews within the first 30 days of a driver being upgraded to solo status or 30 days of employment for experienced drivers in order to measure and record performance
- After initial review, perform quarterly
- Manage driver performance and take proper disciplinary steps if necessary
- Ensure payroll accuracy for assigned drivers
- Act as a liaison between the driver, DSSC personnel, and all internal departments including Benefits and Human Resources to make sure the person is on the correct type of leave and eligible for FMLA when needed
- Skills: Ability to lead others, knowledge of the transportation industry preferred, ability to communicate well with others, ability to transfer knowledge, above average writing skills and organizational skills, professional appearance, ability to take direction from managers and detail oriented, ability to solve problems and work in high pressure situations, and computer-based keyboard skills
Education
Master of Science - Leadership
Grand Canyon University
01.2024
BSCJA - Criminal Justice Administration, Human Services
University of Phoenix
AAFB - Foundations of Business
University of Phoenix
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Transportation Industry Expertise
- Strong Verbal Communication Skills
- Effective Knowledge Sharing
- Strong Writing Ability
- Skilled in Workflow Optimization
- Polished Professional Appearance
- Adaptability to Management Guidance
- Strong Detail Orientation
- Analytical Problem Resolution
- Resilience in Fast-Paced Environments
- Crisis management
- Investigative skills
- Interviewing techniques
- Investigative report preparation
Certification
- Emergency Mass Vaccination: Managing your POD (TAPI)
- Community Immunization Event (Maricopa County)
- Sport and Special Event Enhanced Risk Management and Assessment
- OSHA 511 Occupational Safety & Health Standards for General Industry
- Keys to Disciplining Unsafe Workers Without Creating Liability or Decreasing Morale
- Mismanaged Controls
- Rapid Needs Assessment (DEMA)
- Sports and Special Event Evacuation Training and Exercise (DEMA)
- Sports Event Risk Management (DEMA)
- ICS-100 (NIMS)
- ICS-200 (NIMS)
- ICS-700 (NIMS)
- ICS-800 (NIMS)
Publications
- Opinion | In Workers’ Compensation, True Success Begins with Trust, 11/17/19, Risk and Insurance Magazine, https://riskandinsurance.com/opinion-in-workers-compensation-true-success-begins-with-trust/
- 2019 Teddy Roosevelt Award Winners, 11/01/19, Risk and Insurance Magazine, https://riskandinsurance.com/workers-compensation-excellence-is-no-surprise-for-this-arizona-city/
Awards
- Recognized 2024 PEPP Large Employer Award recipient, 05/24, Award Ceremony
- Risk and Insurance Magazine (Cover Person), 11/17/19, Risk and Insurance Magazine, http://www.riskandinsurance-digital.com/riskandinsurance/november_2019/MobilePagedReplica.action?pm=2&folio=Cover
- City Manager's EXCELLENCE AWARD, 10/17, In Grateful Appreciation and Recognition of the Risk Management Department Hard Work, Passion, and Commitment to Excellence.
- 2018 4th Quarter Peer to Peer, Nominated for going above and beyond. Recognized at the 4th quarter Employee Recognition luncheon.
Membershipsaffiliations
- ICMA Leadership Academy graduate and member
- Alpha Chi National College Honor Society
- Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business Management & Administration
- Member of the AGSA (Arizona Governmental Safety Association)
- Serving as APC (Accident Prevention Committee) Secretary
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Human Resources/Risk Management
City of Glendale
09.2024 - Current
Human Resources/Risk Management
City of Surprise
01.2017 - 01.2024
Workers Compensation & Driver Leader
Swift Transportation
01.2007 - 01.2017
- Emergency Mass Vaccination: Managing your POD (TAPI)
- Community Immunization Event (Maricopa County)
- Sport and Special Event Enhanced Risk Management and Assessment
- OSHA 511 Occupational Safety & Health Standards for General Industry
- Keys to Disciplining Unsafe Workers Without Creating Liability or Decreasing Morale
- Mismanaged Controls
- Rapid Needs Assessment (DEMA)
- Sports and Special Event Evacuation Training and Exercise (DEMA)
- Sports Event Risk Management (DEMA)
- ICS-100 (NIMS)
- ICS-200 (NIMS)
- ICS-700 (NIMS)
- ICS-800 (NIMS)
Master of Science - Leadership
Grand Canyon University
BSCJA - Criminal Justice Administration, Human Services
University of Phoenix
AAFB - Foundations of Business
University of Phoenix