Marketing: Agency Relationship Manager position now available!

At Pinnacol we call our marketing team Agency Relations and we are currently looking for an experienced Agency Relations Manager to manage the relationship, communication methods, education/training and performance metrics (production/sales, loss ratio, growth, and combined ratio goals) for assigned agents and safety groups.

For this position a Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred although relevant work experience (similar kind of work at a similar level of work as described in the essential duties) may be substituted for the bachelor's degree. Pinnacol always encourages and supports the completion of a degree. In terms of experience we are looking for someone with three years working with agency relationships or related underwriting/marketing experience. CPCU, CIC or other insurance certifications are a plus as is knowledge of underwriting procedures, the NCCI underwriting manual, and the regulations and law for workers’ compensation insurance in Colorado. Candidates must have excellent computer skills in Microsoft applications and must have strong time management skills, verbal, written, interpersonal and customer service skills and be capable of handling multiple assignments and priorities.

In this position candidates should expect extensive telephone and computer work both in an office and home environment including extensive field activities. Travel within the state is required so candidates must also possess a valid Colorado driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.

If the Agency Relationship Manager position sounds of interest we would love to hear from you! We do ask candidates to complete an on-line application via our company website.

MyPath a great resource for exploring insurance careers...

If you or someone you know is interested in exploring what an insurance career is all about, MyPath is a great resource. MyPath is dedicated to educating students and young professionals about the insurance industry, as well as about the limitless career opportunities it has to offer. As a collaborative insurance industry effort, The Institutes and their affiliates — The Griffith Insurance Education Foundation, the CPCU Society, and the CPCU — Loman Education Foundation — created the MyPath website as a marketplace of information and are leading the collective initiative to provide educational information about the insurance industry.

MyPath also has a great blog full of useful articles. Some of the recent topics include:

• Why Insurance Professionals Love Their Careers
• Choosing a Career - 10 Practical Tips For Deciding What To Do With Your Life
• Majoring In Risk Management - What to Expect
• Insurance Claims Careers - Restoring People's Lives, One Story At A Time
• Insurance Underwriter Careers - Analyzing Risk From Shipwrecks To Sports Cars

One of my favorites was actually from this past Holiday season and was aptly titled "A Risk Manager's Guide to Holiday Gift Buying". And for those still in school it even has a resource to help find and land an internship. It's really a great resource to check out! 

Surviving the Blizzard of '16

Tuesday night after work I went for a bike ride in shorts and a light jacket and the temperature was near 70 degrees. That morning when I was driving into work at 6:00 it was already 52 degrees and the wind was strong from the south. I noticed that the barometer was also pretty low and still falling. For March in Denver that combination should give pause and the meteorologists were already hyping up the approaching storm slated for the next day.

Pinnacol has a dedicated team of folks who assemble when the weather looks to turn bad who have the hair-pulling job of deciding whether to close for the day. They are usually about their work around 4:30 in the morning and yesterday was no exception. There are at least six people involved with the decision and they live around the metro area. As they phone conferenced the weather was being typically uncooperative. A couple of folks were reporting rain at their location and others indicated they were receiving just light snow. Didn't seem that bad and nothing like the blizzard conditions that were forecast. The initial signal to employees was for a delayed start but as the storm intensified the word quickly went out that yes indeed we would be closed for the day. By that time anyone looking out their window at the snow blowing horizontally in the howling winds would have agreed with, and been thankful for, that smart decision.

Heavy Equipment clearing snow in 2006

If you've been in Denver for any length of time you can probably rattle off the major Denver blizzards you've been through (dare I use the term "survived"?). The Christmas blizzard of 1984 is the first I can truly remember and it too had started out with unseasonably warm weather before smacking the town with so much snow they had to get out front-end loaders rather than plows to clear the major roads. Back then the wisdom was to let mother nature take its course and allow the snow to melt from the streets and that decision ended up costing a Denver Mayor his job come the next election. Blizzards tend to bring us together as a community as we collectively share the experience of watching what nature can do. For those new to Denver the blizzard of '16 will likely be what the blizzard of '84 was for my family. Fondly or not so fondly, years from now you'll likely remember yesterday's maelstrom. Of course yesterday's event was no worse than others that preceded it or others yet to come.

Pinnacol's offices this morning

I think Denver is at its prettiest after a major snowstorm and this morning was no exception. Those famously blue Colorado skies and a morning sun glinting off the still pristine snow made a challenging commute that much more tolerable and reminded me once again why I make this place my home. I take Colorado Blvd. as part of my route to work and looking to the west at the City of Brest Park (Cherry Creek Drive South & Colorado Blvd.) the snow covered trees were absolutely breathtaking. I don't think too many of my fellow commuters took advantage of the sight though and mores the pity but I can't blame them for their white-knuckled focus on the road in front of them. Our office building too looks nice under a mantle of freshly fallen snow and it was nice to arrive safe and sound. I had an 8:00 interview scheduled and kudos to the candidate for his efforts to make it in through some challenging driving conditions.

By this afternoon the roads will hopefully have improved, the snow will take on a brownish tinge, and the drive home will likely be a slush fest. By tomorrow yesterday's blizzard will be just another memory. The good news? There's another storm forecast for Saturday!

Looking for a great Paralegal to join our Legal team!

We are looking for an experienced Paralegal to provide comprehensive paralegal and litigation support to our subrogation counsel. A Bachelor’s Degree is strongly preferred although relevant work experience (similar kind of work at a similar level of work as described in the essential duties) may be substituted for the bachelor's degree.

Candidates should bring three or more years paralegal experience in legal department or law firm. Paralegal certification is required and may be substituted for years of experience. Knowledge of legal and medical terminology helpful as is knowledge of general principles of law, workers compensation, Colorado Civil Rules of Procedure and Colorado Appellate Rules of Procedure.

If you are interested in this opportunity we would ask that you please complete an application via our company website.

Family Tree benefits from Volunteer with Phil event

The Family Tree has for four decades provided innovative, life-changing services designed to end child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. As the only organization in the state to actively address the interconnectedness among these issues, Family Tree is changing how individuals, families and communities see, respond to and overcome them.

On March 14th our CEO, Phil Kalin, along with 22 Pinnacol In Action volunteers spent time at House of Hope, one of seven Family Tree shelters. House of Hope is home to 40 women and children facing some very difficult circumstances.

Family Tree's website has a quote that caught my attention: "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart". Pinnacol recognized years ago that time is still important and gives every employee two days a year to volunteer in the community. Our CEO, who regularly participates in volunteer events throughout the year, has hosted several Volunteer with Phil events since coming to Pinnacol and this year's event at House of Hope also served as Pinnacol In Action's inaugural volunteer experience with Family Tree after the organization was selected to be a new PiA partner just over a month ago.  

“It's sobering to be reminded about the challenges that too many families are facing, but always inspiring to see Pinnacol at our best," Phil shared. "Nothing was beneath us — we cleaned, we cooked, we organized and we painted. We left House of Hope a far better place for the women and children who will call it home this month. As I left I was reminded how thankful I am to work every day with people of such character and conviction.”  

Thank you to the Family Tree for allowing our volunteers to lend a hand and we look forward to working with you in the future!

Several new opportunities to join Pinnacol Assurance!

We have recently added several opportunities including Claims Representative, Provider Relations Specialist, and Learning & Organizational Development Coordinator.

I'll start with the Learning & OD Coordinator role. While this is not a corporate trainer role this position does lead the administrative aspects and logistical coordination for our Learning & Organizational Development (L&OD) team and business team specialists and liaisons.  This position will also maintain the Learning Management System (LMS), maintain the training calendar, schedule all insurance designation classes (AICPCU designations), schedule and proctor exams, maintain all training materials and supplies used by L&OD, and partner with our facilities team to ensure all classrooms are set prior to the day of training in accordance with the requirements of the class being facilitated. A Bachelor’s Degree is strongly preferred although relevant professional work experience may be substituted for the degree.  We are seeking candidates with three years of corporate training experience who have familiarity with analytics and/or event coordination experience and previous experience with Learning Management Systems or databases. Must have excellent verbal and written communications skills and be able to work with all levels in the organization.  Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, PPT, etc., as well as other types of media (projectors, video recording equipment, etc.).

Next up is the Provider Relations position. We are looking for an experienced Provider Relations Specialist to market, service and educate providers within our SelectNet healthcare network. By establishing strong working relationships statewide you’ll help ensure a high performing provider network which provides optimal care for injured workers. A Bachelor’s Degree is strongly preferred although relevant work experience may be substituted for the degree.  Ideally you’ll have three years of insurance or managed care experience, preferably in a Workers’ Compensation setting with some of this experience related to collaborating, negotiating, and working directly with physicians and medical facilities.

We're also looking for candidates interested in a career as a Claims Representative. You’ll work with team members to manage claims and claim-related issues to the most expedient, cost effective resolution while providing quality customer service to all Pinnacol stakeholders including injured workers and their employers.  A Bachelor’s Degree is strongly preferred though  relevant work experience (similar kind of work at a similar level of work as described in the essential duties) may be substituted for the degree.

If any of these positions sounds of interest we'd love to hear from you! Please apply on-line via our company website.