Benefits Coordinator

City-of-Compton,-C; Compton (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Compton seeks a Benefits Administrator under general supervision to manage the City\'s employee benefits programs and related confidential HR duties. You will administer medical, dental, vision, life, COBRA and other plans; process enrollments, verify eligibility, track leaves (FMLA), and ensure HIPAA compliance while coordinating with PERS, Social Security and the payroll system.

This role requires a Bachelor\'s degree in HR or related field and at least three years\' benefits

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or related field; three years of benefits administration and/or HR programs experience.
• Valid California Class C Driver's License.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA and benefits regulations.
• Strong data accuracy and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Administers a variety of benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life and other programs; processes enrollments and monitors eligibility.
• Verifies dependent eligibility, processes COBRA enrollments and coordinates with PERS, Social Security, Medicare and COBRA.
• Develops and coordinates new employee orientations and explains health benefits and policies.
• Tracks and reports on FMLA, leaves of absence, and related policies; responds to inquiries about leaves and accruals.
• Maintains confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and other laws; ensures data accuracy in personnel and payroll systems.
• Coordinates city-wide health benefits fair and communication with departments, retirees, and external agencies.
• Assists in developing procedures for leaves and benefits; creates SOPs and advises on legislative changes.
• Maintains benefits information and communications with employees, dependents, and the public as needed.
• May assist in recruitment, classification, and labor relations as assigned.
• Attends professional group meetings and stays current with benefits administration trends.

Skills

Benefits administration

Confidentiality

Data entry

Leave management

Payroll data accuracy

Policy interpretation

Communication

Interpersonal skills

HIPAA compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / related field

Tools

HR Perspective system

Payroll/Personnel program

Job description

Under general supervision, performs complex and specialized personnel related functions involving administration of the City’s employee benefits programs, and responsible technical duties of a highly confidential nature; and 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.

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.

Education and Experience:

Possession of a Bachelor's 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.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• 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 Understandingprovisions 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.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• 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.

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, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.

ELIGIBLE LISTS

Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).

PLEASE NOTE All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only.

Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill any one (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.

When certified eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. (Repetition intentionally omitted for brevity.)

EXAMINATION APPEAL PROCEDURE

A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).

EXAMINATION RECORDS

All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for purposes and under conditions established by the Personnel Board.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

In all entrance examinations (open-competitive only) for positions in the Classified Service, veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during time(s) of war, and who attain an overall passing score in the examination are allowed additional preferential credit in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations. In order to claim veterans' credit, the applicant must submit proof of service and honorable discharge (showing specific dates of service) on a U.S. Military form (DD-214) at the time of application or not later than the final filing date for the examination.

FRINGE BENEFITS

The City's comprehensive fringe benefits program includes: retirement (Public Employees' Retirement System), medical, dental, life and vision insurances, deferred compensation, sick and vacation leaves, after-hours education reimbursement, ride share program, uniform allowance and other provisions.