Benefits Program Manager

Hiring Range: $89,140 - $111,508

Salary range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.

Hiring range is an estimate of the compensation amount for the selected candidate. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and equity amongst other City employees in a similar position.

GENERAL PURPOSE:  Under general supervision, perform technical and professional human resources work focusing primarily on the areas of employee benefits. Incumbent administers the daily activities of the programs as well as plan, develop, organize and implement key strategic systems and programs related to employee benefits in support of the City’s mission. This position requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills; strong analytical skills and attention to detail; and a positive, can-do attitude toward providing exceptional customer service.

Embrace the New – Do Right – Lend a Hand – Find a Way – Enjoy our Work – Celebrate Uniqueness

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Key participant in the citywide analysis of moving to a self-funding model. Act as primary liaison with third party vendors. 
• Updates and develops all process documentation under the Benefits umbrella. Manage benefits data including internal and external sources. You will document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefit processes
• Serve as a subject matter expert to the HR Generalists for all leaves: FMLA, ADA and Craig Tiger Act
• Collaborates and partners with HR staff to understand the challenges related to benefits in attracting, motivating, and retaining high quality, diverse talent.
• Leads the with selection, evaluation, and ongoing management of benefit vendors and consultants;
• Works with consultants to prepare proposal specifications, analyze proposals and prepare recommendations; review contracts for accuracy, monitor contracts for compliance with negotiated terms and conditions
• Validates the effectiveness of benefit programs, ensuring market competitiveness and City objectives are achieved.
• Participates in the design, development, implementation, communication, and administration of all benefits and leave of absence programs.
• Acts as Secretary of City employer PSPRS Boards, and liaison to employees. This includes planning the semi-annual Board meetings and all coordination and prep of Board materials and external data needed from employees and medical providers (if applicable)
• Analyze and report on benefits costs and trends to senior management.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising the quality of benefits offered.

Tactical Responsibilities: 

• Administers the employee benefit programs such as health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, HSA, group life insurance, retirement plans and other benefits; handles benefit claims, enrollments, and cancellations. 
• Lead the annual Open Enrollment process
• Remains current on industry trends, best practices, and compliance; makes recommendations to update policies regarding employee benefits. 
• Processes all benefit changes including new hires, life events, terminations and COBRA enrollments; coordinates the submission of appropriate paperwork to ensure timely deductions of benefits. 
• Maintains benefits records and documents; reviews monthly benefit deductions; audits and reconciles invoices.
• Conducts benefit audits to ensure accuracy of benefit deductions.
• Consults with and advises employees on eligibility, provisions and other matters related to benefits; answers questions and concerns related to employee benefits. 
• Maintains all benefit related contracts and ensures timely receipt of signatures; distributes and communicates all benefit related changes and required plan designs.
• Verifies calculation of monthly premium statements for all insurance policies and maintains statistical data relative to premiums, claims, and costs. 
• Resolves administrative problems with carriers. 
• Designs, develops and prepares employee benefits booklets, open enrollment materials, benefits newsletters, and other employee benefit communications.
• Distributes Summary Plan Descriptions, Summary of Benefit Coverage, and annual employee notices as required.
• Acts as liaison to outside benefit vendors for employee and employer needs.
• Conducts orientation meetings for new employees involving the detailed explanation of benefits and the completion of required paperwork.
• Collaborates with the Wellness Coordinator and other internal and external team members on employee meetings and training on benefits topics
• Maintains regulatory compliance with the Affordable Care Act, including the preparation and distribution of annual 1095C forms; Medicare, CMS, HIPAA, COBRA, ASRS, PSPRP, and other applicable compliance requirements. 
• Monitors ASRS / PSPRS membership enrollment, contributions, and retirement.
• In addition to benefits, may perform generalized professional level work in human resources programs, including but not limited to, recruitment, testing, selection, training, employee relations, compensation and/or human resources information systems (HRIS).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Public or Business Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development or related field, and five (5) years’ experience in benefits administration; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Preference will be given to those applicants with municipal experience.  Tyler Munis software experience preferred.  IPMA-HR SCP or PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP/SCPcertification preferred. 

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: 

• City organization, operations, policies and procedures
• City human resources rules and policies
• Principles of contemporary human resource management
• Benefit and wellness programs, plan design, and administration
• Accounting, budgeting, and financial management principles and procedures
• Analysis and research methodology specifically related to benefit and wellness programs
• Statistical computations, concepts, and methods as they apply to benefit and salary data
• Local, state and federal laws and regulations governing human resource functions such as FMLA, Title VII, COBRA, FLSA, ADA, state retirement plans, etc.
• Principles of group dynamics and human behavior
• Current practices of organizational development and constructive problem solving
• Principles of confidential records and file management

Skill in:

• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software 
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Active listening
• Providing excellent customer service

Ability to:

• Understand, interpret and apply relevant federal, state and City rules and regulations  
• Interpret and explain technical employee benefit policies and procedures and resolve disputes or discrepancies 
• Effectively handle conflict and sensitive employee issues
• Collect, correlate, and analyze data; prepare summaries, recommendations and reports
• Present information clearly and concisely to various audiences
• Effectively manage time 
• Perform extensive research, make independent analysis, and report findings 
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions 
• Provide leadership to effectively resolve issues
• Read, analyze and interpret policies and procedures, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations
• Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals
• Maintain confidentiality of information
• Work under pressure of deadlines
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of work

Special Requirements: Pass background screening.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  Standard office environment.
Reports To:  Human Resources Director or designee
Supervision Exercised: None
FLSA Status:  Exempt

12-month goals:

• Be an active committee member in the city-wide analysis of moving from fully insured to self-insured.
• Plan and execute 2 health fairs.
• Document and define all benefits processes.
• Collaborate with Wellness Coordinator to establish Employee Wellness Program.
• Develop Critical Key Success Indicators to present to leadership.
• Document and define the PSPRS Board strategy

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:  It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Salary : $89,140 - $111,508