Senior Underwriting Specialist

PRISM is a joint powers authority (JPA) that provides risk management and coverage programs for public entities throughout California, including 93% of California counties, 77% of California cities, 30 joint powers authorities, educational organizations, special districts, housing authorities, fire districts and 10 national participants through PRISM’s captive insurance company. Our organization is member driven meaning that our public entity members have numerous opportunities available to participate in the governance of our JPA.

One of PRISM’s greatest assets is its staff. PRISM employees are smart, creative, hard-working, and passionate individuals working in areas ranging from member services, risk control, claims administration, information technology, accounting, and risk pool administration. Working here requires energy, commitment, and teamwork. At the same time, we offer a great work environment built upon our Core Values of People, Families, Trust, Integrity, and Growth. We are looking for an individual who shares these values to join the PRISM team.

PRISM is seeking a Senior Underwriting Specialist who enjoys working with detailed information, solving complex problems, and helping others understand the results. This role combines data analysis, coverage review, premium development, and direct service to the public agencies that rely on PRISM’s property and casualty coverage programs.

You will evaluate prospective members and coverage changes, coordinate renewal and budget estimates, make presentations to governing committees, validate premium calculations, and explain findings to members, leadership, brokers, and colleagues. You will also take initiative to improve processes, strengthen data accuracy, and develop practical solutions across departments.

The Sr. Underwriting Specialist will, under direction of the Underwriting Supervisor, provide technical and analytical support to PRISM’s management, members, staff, and other personnel conducting business with PRISM.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluate prospective members by reviewing operations, exposures, loss experience, and other relevant information to develop underwriting recommendations and proposed premiums.
• Analyze coverage questions and change requests by interpreting coverage terms, exclusions, and program requirements; prepare endorsements and calculate associated premium adjustments.
• Coordinate renewals and budget estimates across multiple coverage programs, establishing timelines with department leadership and broker partners, communicating responsibilities, and following through on outstanding information and deadlines.
• Review and validate member exposure information, including renewal applications and payroll data; investigate discrepancies and complete payroll audits to support accurate underwriting and premium calculations.
• Maintain and validate program premium allocations, applying allocation methodologies, updating member data, checking calculations, and investigating unexpected results. Explain how changes in exposures, loss experience, or program costs affect member premiums.
• Analyze proposed reinsurance and excess coverage terms, including rating plans, retentions, and coverage layers, to support evaluation of program structures, costs, and member pricing.
• Prepare agenda materials and deliver presentations to PRISM’s governing committees and Board of Directors, explaining analyses, alternatives, and making recommendations to support business action and obtain direction on underwriting policies, coverage programs, and premium allocation.
• Serve as a resource to members, brokers, and internal departments on coverage and premium matters, researching questions and translating technical information into clear explanations and practical recommendations.
• Prepare accurate premium billing information and financial reports, reconcile amounts with allocation records, and coordinate with Accounting and other departments to resolve discrepancies.
• Translate coverage structures into usable program information, including coverage charts, reinsurance descriptions, and annual coverage and premium data for claims and pool administration systems.
• Take initiative to improve department processes, identifying recurring problems and opportunities to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and member service through Excel, data tools, automation, and emerging technology.
• Support consistent department practices and staff development by documenting procedures, assisting with training, sharing technical knowledge, and maintaining accessible historical program records.
• Attend industry conferences and seminars to strengthen technical knowledge, stay informed about emerging issues, and share relevant insights with the team.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of department and organizational goals.

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, risk management, statistics, or a related discipline and five years of progressively responsible experience in underwriting, financial or business analysis, risk management, program administration, or a related field involving complex data analysis and application of policies or contractual requirements; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Knowledge of insurance and risk management principles and methodologies.
• Experience in JPA pooling, underwriting, risk management, program administration, or policy administration is desirable.
• Knowledge of analytical methods and techniques.
• Moderate to advanced knowledge and work experience with Microsoft Office products as well as pool or policy administration systems, claims systems, and familiarity with database concepts.
• Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulas, lookup functions, PivotTables, conditional calculations, data reconciliation, and troubleshooting.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multi-task and juggle competing projects and deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• The ability to present information both in person and in virtual environments.
• A strong customer service orientation.
• The ability to conduct research, analysis, interpret information/coverage, and make sound recommendations.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and good public relations with other employees, agencies, members, and the public.
• Professional designations such as CPCU, AU, ARM, ARM-P, AIDA, or other designations as provided by the Institutes.

For approximately the first month following hire, selected candidates will report to our Folsom office daily for training. After successful completion of training, selected candidates will have the option to work full-time in our Folsom office, or remotely from a home location within a commutable distance from our Folsom, CA office, up to three times per week. Candidates must also be able and willing to report in person to our Folsom location for committee meetings and agency events several times throughout the year.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical requirements of this position typically include: reaching, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, repetitive motions, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move. Some travel may be required.