Benefits Administrator

City of Irwindale, CA; Covina (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Irwindale seeks a qualified Human Resources candidate to manage employee benefit programs. Key responsibilities include policy development, liaising with insurance providers, and compliance with relevant regulations. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in HR or related fields and five years of HR experience, preferably in a municipal environment. The position offers comprehensive health benefits, retirement options, and potential for career advancement within city services.

Benefits

100% health, dental, and vision premiums for employees

Bilingual pay

Tuition reimbursement program

Flexible spending account

Deferred compensation plans

Qualifications

• Five years of HR experience, preferably in municipal settings.
• Strong understanding of benefits administration and compliance.
• Ability to analyze and interpret regulations and policies.

Responsibilities

• Administers employee benefit programs and ensures compliance with legal statutes.
• Acts as liaison between insurance providers and employees.
• Develops and implements policies related to employee benefits.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Human resources management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

HR software

Job description

Closing Date : 5 / 15 / 2025 6 : 00 PM Pacific

Description

Health, Dental, and Vision Premiums Paid at 100% for Employee and Eligible Dependents

Choice of CalPERS Health Plans

Retiree Medical (subject to vesting)

Bilingual Pay, Education Incentive, Tuition Reimbursement Program

4% COLA Effective July 2025

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, and administers employee and resident benefit programs including the resident ID program; independently performs complex administrative duties in support of assigned programs; monitors and evaluates programs and negotiates proposed plans and contracts; audits benefits plans, ensures compliance with benefit provisions of the Memoranda of Understanding for represented employees and Salary Resolutions for non-represented groups and federal and state law, oversees employee leave of absence program; performs related duties as assigned.

Examples of Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and / or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Develops, plans, and implements policies and procedures related to employee and resident benefit programs in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Administers and assists with procedure and policy changes internally and with vendors.
• Acts as liaison between insurance providers, residents, employees, and retirees, in person or over the telephone. Resolves insurance coverage and benefit administration problems. Works closely with residents, employees, and carriers to resolve billing and enrollment related issues.
• Develops, evaluates, recommends, administers and communicates benefit programs and policies, such as the benefit summaries, and retirement and open enrollment guides.
• Interprets and explains benefits plan requirements and procedures to residents, employees, and beneficiaries; serves as liaison and advocate with external plan administrators to resolve benefits concerns and coverage / payment problems in the best interests of the residents, employees and the City.
• Administers employee leaves of absence in compliance with all federal and state legal statues.
• Conducts employee orientations; prepares documents, conducts benefits orientation, explains policies and procedures, and enrolls new employees in applicable systems.
• Assists employees with retirement matters; explains retirement benefits and options, retiree medical contributions, and social security and Medicare programs.
• Participates in the employee exit process; prepares exit documents, conducts exit interviews; updates payroll and CalPERS systems.
• Monitors, analyzes and prepares detailed reports on existing and proposed legislation, existing regulations, municipal codes and other documents and statutes related to the benefit processes.
• Develops monitoring controls, regulations, reporting procedures and forms. Monitors benefits costs and makes recommendations regarding plan design and cost containment measures.
• Oversees and monitors the service performance of various third-party administrators, such as CalPERS, PARS, and life and disability insurance carriers.
• Serves as liaison with the California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CalPERS) regarding contract issues and analyzes and interprets the contract.
• Maintains highly confidential information in accordance with HIPAA standards.
• Supervises the maintenance of health plan data and records on computer systems and files.
• Develops plans to implement new legislation related to benefit compliance (e.g., Affordable Care Act) and leaves of absences (e.g., Paid Sick Leave), including city-wide training on benefits topics.
• Assists in assembling and preparing the annual budget for areas of assignment; monitors expenditures against budget; prepares purchase requisitions and requests for payment.
• Participates in the selection of staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
• Manages the City's summer youth work program; prepares application packets, communicates with departments to determine open placements, coordinates interviews, and conducts orientation.
• Develops and implements recruitment and selection plans and schedules; may act as coordinator in the assignment and review of assigned recruitments; coordinates pre-employment background checks; receives confidential information on all candidates for employment and maintains recruitment files.
• Provides complex analytical and professional level assistance to the Human Resources / Risk Manager; maintains records and documentation for the preparation of narrative and / or statistical reports; tabulates information, analyzes and prepares statistical reports; assists in the performance of complex administrative tasks, utilizing judgment, tact and confidentiality in the application of policy.
• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge of :

• Practices, methods and techniques of benefits program administration, including eligibility determination, enrollment, claims processing, benefits reporting and insurance / benefits plan record-keeping; ACA, COBRA, California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) programs
• Federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the administration of Section 125 benefits plans and maintenance of plans / employee records
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its application to health benefits administration
• Standard benefits plan contract and coverage provisions and requirements
• Business mathematics
• Advanced methods and techniques used in conducting research and analyzing data
• Advanced principles, laws and procedures of benefit administration
• Business letter writing and report preparation
• Principles and procedures of record keeping
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to area of assignment
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Ability to :

• Analyze and interpret laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations relating to various types of employee benefit programs
• Analyze benefit policies affecting resident and employee benefit programs and prepare related reports and recommendations
• Demonstrate initiative in the satisfactory research, follow-up and resolution of insurance related issues
• Negotiate, prepare and manage benefit contracts
• Provide professional human resources management services independently in the absence of supervision
• Evaluate the costs and benefits of alternative insurance programs
• Prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials
• Understand, interpret and apply human resources theory, applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Identify and respond to employee and resident inquiries, complaints, concerns and needs
• Conduct salary, benefit and classification surveys and prepare reports
• Effectively supervise employees
• Review and evaluate employees' job performance
• Think independently and make decisions in the absence of supervision
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications
• Participate in researching, compiling, analyzing, and interpreting data
• Research files and prepare statistical reports and analyses
• Establish and maintain a variety of specialized files and records
• Learn and effectively utilize various software applications
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education / Training :

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in human resources, public administration, business administration, organizational development, or a related field.

Experience :

Five years of progressively responsible human resources experience, preferably in a municipal setting. Supervisory experience and direct experience in the administration of benefit programs.

License or Certificate :

• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Physical demands and working environment : The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment : Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting.

Physical : Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and / or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision : See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing : Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Supplemental Information

SELECTION PROCESS :

Applications will be reviewed and only those candidates whose applications and resume most clearly demonstrate the job related experience, education, and training sought by the City shall be selected to move forward in the recruitment process, which may consist of a written exam, performance tests, and oral interviews. The final candidate must successfully complete a thorough background which may include : medical exam, drug screening, employment history verification, DMV check, and fingerprinting.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE :

Complete an online application at https : / / www.governmentjobs.com / careers / irwindaleca. The online application process allows you to attach electronic documents (i.e. resume, certifications) that you would like the hiring department to take into consideration when reviewing your application.

Please feel free to contact Human Resources at [phone] or should you have any questions or need assistance.

Communication regarding your application and / or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout process.

All applicants must be legally eligible for employment in the United States. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Irwindale does not discriminate and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Insurance Benefits :

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (premiums paid at 100% for employees and their eligible dependents)

Life Insurance (premiums paid at 100% for employees and their eligible dependents)

AD&D Insurance (premium paid at 100% for employee coverage only)

Retirement Benefits :

• CalPERS - California Public Employees' Retirement System

Classic members : 2% @ 55 formula, employee pays 100% of employee contribution rate (currently at 7%)

New members : 2% @ 62 formula, employee pays 50% of total normal cost

• CalPERS pension calculation based on three-year average final compensation

Retiree medical benefit calculated based on employee's years of service and in accordance with CalPERS vesting resolution

Other Benefits Include :

• 96 hours of Vacation leave per year

96 hours of Sick leave per year

140 hours of Floating Holiday per calendar year

Bilingual pay for Spanish or Sign Language proficiency at 2½% of salary

Education Incentive Pay

Deferred Compensation Plans

Flexible Spending Account Program for medical and dependent care expenses

Computer Loan Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Employee Assistance Program

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