Benefits Specialist

The City of Austin; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Austin is seeking a Benefits Specialist to support city-wide benefits programs through HR guidance, problem solving, and day-to-day administration. This hybrid role in Austin, TX focuses on assisting employees and retirees with benefits questions and enrollment while reviewing qualifying life events and dependent documentation via the City’s online eligibility platform.

Working with Austin Human Resources (AHR), the specialist helps keep benefits administration accurate and

Qualifications

• Associate degree plus three years' benefits-related experience required.
• Experience may substitute for education up to two years.
• Familiarity with Workday benefits module is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Implement, administer, and evaluate benefits programs as designed by AHR.
• Develop systems, procedures, and processes to support benefits programs and policies.
• Provide counsel to management and employees on benefits policies and laws.
• Assist in solving benefits problems and monitor action implementation until resolution.
• Coordinate with third-party administrators and City vendors on issues.
• Advise on benefits-related decisions and data reporting.
• Support morale analysis and provide recommendations for action when needed.
• Collaborate with HR teams and others on projects and coverage.
• Review and process routine and non-routine financial transactions related to benefits.
• Assist with enrollment guidance for employees and retirees via the eligibility platform.
• Travel to multiple locations as needed per Driver Safety standards.

Skills

Benefits knowledge

Customer service

Data entry

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Associate degree in related field

Tools

Workday

Online eligibility platform

Job description

The City of Austin is seeking a Benefits Specialist to support city-wide benefits programs through HR guidance, problem solving, and day-to-day administration. This hybrid role in Austin, TX 78704 focuses on assisting employees and retirees with benefits questions and enrollment while also reviewing qualifying life events and dependent documentation through the City’s online eligibility platform.

Working with Austin Human Resources (AHR), the specialist helps keep benefits administration accurate and responsive, coordinating with third-party administrators and internal teams to resolve issues and support policy interpretation. The position also includes managing billing for employees on leave and maintaining timely, correct data entry for benefits-related reporting.

What you’ll do

• Implement, administer, and evaluate benefits programs designed by Austin Human Resources (AHR).
• Develop benefits systems, procedures, and processes to support City or department benefits programs, policies, and strategies.
• Provide advice and counsel to management and employee groups on communication, interpretation, and implementation of City Benefits Policies and other applicable benefits-related laws and regulations.
• Assist in solving benefits problems and monitor implementation of agreed-upon actions until resolution.
• Coordinate resolution of benefits issues with third-party administrators and other City vendors.
• Provide advice for benefits-related decisions.
• Support analysis of morale indicators such as surveys, turnover, and grievances, and present recommendations for corrective action when needed.
• Collaborate on teams with HR and other team members.
• When necessary, prepare, review, maintain, and approve routine and non-routine accounts payable, cash receipts, billing, or other financial transactions by verifying documentation from multiple sources.
• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
• Assist employees and retirees with benefits questions, including guiding enrollment and reviewing Qualifying Life Events (QLE) and dependent documentation via the City’s online eligibility platform.
• Manage billing for employees on leave, reconcile eligibility and enrollment reports, and complete timely and accurate data entry.
• Provide essential customer service and operational support, including occasional front desk assistance and other duties that support department operations.
• If selected and meeting Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of regular duties; otherwise, you are responsible for traveling to and from locations.

Required background

• Knowledge of assigned areas within Benefits.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances governing benefits activities.
• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Skills in oral and written communication.
• Skills in handling hostile conflicts and uncertain situations.
• Skills in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing, including working with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in planning and organizing, including data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to develop and maintain knowledge in benefits.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Technology

• Workday
• City’s online eligibility platform

Minimum qualifications

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a related field, plus three (3) years of experience in a field related to Benefits.
• Experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of two (2) years.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience administering employee benefits programs day-to-day, including assisting employees and retirees with enrollment, QLE changes, and annual Open Enrollment.
• Experience serving as a primary point of contact for employees and retirees, responding to inquiries, providing guidance, and resolving routine benefits issues professionally and in a timely manner.
• Experience using Workday to manage benefits eligibility, process enrollments, and review and approve benefit elections.
• Experience conducting benefits eligibility and enrollment audits, verifying data accuracy, identifying discrepancies, and resolving errors.
• Experience providing front desk coverage and assisting walk-in customers.Experience maintaining confidential employee and retiree records in alignment with privacy requirements and organizational policies.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (preferred).

Compensation and location

• Location: Austin, TX 78704 (hybrid); Office location: One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, Ste. 600, Austin, TX 78704.
• Salary range: $29.11 to $35.66 per hour (depending on qualifications and experience).
• Annual hiring range: $29.11-$35.66.
• Physical location listed: 505 Barton Springs Rd Austin, TX 78704.

Schedule

• Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Hours may vary based on operational needs.
• Alternative schedules and remote work options are available, with a requirement of at least 40% in-office each week.
• A flexible hybrid schedule may be offered after successful completion of the probationary period.

Benefits

• City of Austin benefits supporting the health, security, and peace of mind of employees, retirees, and their dependents.
• Generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
• City of Austin Employees’ Retirement System.