Benefits Coordinator

Human Resources Benefits Administrator

Under general supervision, performs other related duties.

Works under the general supervision of the Director of Human Resources; does not exercise supervisory responsibilities. Serves as the lead worker to Human Resources benefits administration support staff.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation. 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.

• Administers a variety of benefits programs offered by the City, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and other programs. Verifies and inputs data directly into various systems; processes enrollments for all insurance programs; monitors and verifies dependent eligibility for benefits; processes COBRA enrollments; monitors retirees activity and benefits enrollments coordinating with PERS, Social Security, Medicare and COBRA.
• Develops and coordinates new employee orientations; prepares informational material; explains and interprets health benefits, personnel policies, procedures and programs.
• Coordinates annual city-wide employee health benefits fair.
• Inputs new hires into City payroll/personnel program; verifies accuracy of all information relevant to each employee including reviewing, analyzing and verifying salary adjustments, tax exemptions, employee demographics, benefits electives, transfers, title changes, resignations, retirements, terminations, discipline, dismissals, and all information which impacts an employee's personnel profile, payroll data, and/or benefits information.
• Tracks, researches and reports on various types of Federal and State protected leaves, such as Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), leaves of absence, pay decreases and disciplinary measures, maternity leave and others. Responds to inquiries regarding vacation, sick leave, holiday leaves and accrual leave banks and policies.
• Identifies employee leave and benefits concerns, resolves issues in a timely manner, recommends appropriate employment status actions to the Human Resources Director and performs and follows through with appropriate action.
• Ensures all benefits and leave of absence information is current and accurately maintained in the Human Resources Perspective system, departmental databases and files; ensures confidentiality and compliance with relevant laws, such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Consults with employees and their families regarding death claims.
• Prepares and processes various highly confidential reports and/or documents relating to labor negotiations, DMV records, personnel records and files, Council and/or Commission reports.
• Coordinates city-wide identification badge program, including generating confidential security codes, verifying data entered into database system, maintain the software and hardware components, inventory control of badges, accessories, ink cartridges and other materials.
• Composes and generates various types of correspondence keeping employees and retirees informed of updates in benefits administration and policies of the City, including status of PERS Social Security benefits options, information and deadlines. Keeps up-to-date on benefits regulations, laws, procedures and administration in the field of human resources in general and in state-wide public service specifically.
• Coordinates communication with other City departments and personnel, insurance companies, health organizations and governmental agencies; maintains communication with retired employees regarding benefits.
• Assists management in developing and implementing new operational procedures to accommodate legislative changes; develops and monitors operational procedures to enhance workflow and program effectiveness.
• Assists in identifying and writing standard operating procedures and guidelines for leave of absences and benefits for employees and staff to follow. Responds to inquiries and complaints regarding benefits programs and payroll problems. Analyzes and participates in resolving problems and issues, conducts research when necessary.
• Ensures all employees are informed of their benefit eligibility according to collective bargaining agreement(s) and/or other City policies and procedures; ensures all benefit plan documents, summary plan descriptions, booklets and information brochures are accurate and current for dissemination.
• Provides information and assistance in person or on the telephone to City personnel, staff and the public regarding Human Resources matters, such as leave of absence coordination, benefits, job availability, Human Resources regulations, policies and procedures.
• May provide support and assistance in recruiting, classification, compensation, training programs and labor relations.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of benefits administration and human resource management.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Possession of a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or a related field; AND three (3) years of benefits administration and/or human resources programs experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License.

Required Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles and practices of contemporary human resource management including employee benefits administration.
• City Code, City Ordinances, Standard Operating Manual, personnel policies and procedures, and Memoranda of Understanding provisions concerning healthcare and other employee related benefits of the respective bargaining units in the City.
• Benefits programs and administration in the public service.
• Policies, procedures, laws, standards and regulations of the Public Employees Retirement System, Social Security and the healthcare benefits field and other employee benefit programs in general.
• Modern office practices and procedures, including business correspondence, record-keeping systems, and office equipment.

Required Skill in:

• Independently administering large and complex benefits programs.
• Interpreting and applying complex policies, and pertinent laws, rules and regulations related to insurance programs, benefits eligibility, payroll, leaves, claims, and other deductions.
• Making independent judgments and decisions.
• Exercising diplomacy, tact, and good judgment consistently; maintaining confidentiality.
• Operating a personal computer and related technical and specialized software programs.
• Meeting and communicating with the public in situations requiring tact and poise.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively in both verbal and written form.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, dependants, City departments, outside agencies, union or elected officials, and the general public.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is primarily performed indoors in a standard office environment.
• Work requires frequent light lifting, sorting, filing and typing.
• Moderate finger dexterity and near vision is required.
• May be exposed to minor amounts of dust and occasional sounds of office equipment running.

Internal applicants must use their personal email to apply, as City of Compton work emails will not be accepted for job applications. While we cannot prevent applicants from using their work email, the City is not responsible for missed communications due to system outages, firewall restrictions, employee leave, or any other technical or accessibility issues affecting City email accounts.

All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for the position and submit all required documents -such as licenses, certifications, and proof of education- outlined in the job posting. Incomplete applications, including those missing any required documentation, will not be considered.

Please note: Only the first 50 applications received that best meet the qualifications and needs of the hiring department will be invited to continue in the hiring process. Additional applications may be reviewed at a later time, based on hiring needs.

Examination: The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled. Phase one (1) is a written examination (weighted 50%) which will measure all or portions of the above knowledge, and skills. Phase two (2) is an oral examination (weighted 50%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. A passing score for each phase is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via e-mail of their status at each step of the recruitment. The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.

General Information to Examination Applicants: The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion