Benefits Specialist

Reading School District l Reading, Pa.; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Reading School District is seeking an experienced Human Resources Specialist to coordinate employee benefits and risk management functions. The role involves open enrollment communications, audits of benefit enrollments, and collaboration with union leadership on employee/union matters.

The successful candidate will manage leave processes, assist with ADA accommodations, and help ensure compliance with workers' compensation programs and bargaining agreements.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree preferred with 5+ years HR experience.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Big-picture view with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Confidential handling of information.
• Knowledge of FMLA, ACA compliance, and bargaining agreements.

Responsibilities

• Communicate open enrollment information to employees and retirees.
• Audit employee benefit enrollments and payroll deductions.
• Collaborate with union leadership on employee/union issues.
• Investigate workplace injuries and assist in preventive measures.
• Prepare purchase orders for Benefits and Risk Management Office.
• Process employee property claims and respond to leave requests.
• Ensure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Assist in investigations under ADA and accommodate requests.

Skills

HR management

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

English communication

Detail oriented

Multitasking

Confidentiality

Maturity

Tactful

Attendance

Flexible hours

PC skills

Education

Associate's degree in HR management

Tools

MS Office

Database software

Spreadsheets

Job description

Position Title: Human Resources Specialist
Classification: RSSSA
Reports To: Director of Employee Benefits and Risk Management
Position Goal: Coordinates and provides necessary services in various aspects of the District's employee benefits and risk management functions, including, but not limited to, those related to workers' compensation, self- insured medical benefits, employee orientation, communication to employees and retirees and compliance reporting.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in human resources management or a related field preferred and at least five (5) years' experience in a fast-paced, high-demand human resources office required.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to work effectively and in harmony with the public in general and all individuals at all levels of the organizational chart.
• Strong verbal and written skills with a proven ability to communicate effectively in English using proper grammar and vocabulary, including, but not limited to, the ability to independently compose correspondence and reports.
• Proven ability to understand and appreciate the "big picture," while also being extremely detail oriented.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to organize and prioritize work to meet all deadlines.
• Possess personal characteristics indicative of maturity, flexibility, tactfulness, and cooperation.
• Proven track record of integrity, good moral character, initiative, and even-temperedness.
• Proven track record of stellar attendance and demonstrated ability to be on time and in regular and consistent attendance.
• Ability to flex hours on as as-needed basis to meet demands related to deadlines.
• Ability to use personal computer with database, spreadsheet, presentation, and word processing software.
• Proven appreciation of and willingness to uphold information in strict confidence.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Family Medical Leave Act, ACA Compliance and the ability to interpret collective bargaining agreements.

Performance And Administration Responsibilities

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties:

• Communicate in writing to employees and retirees, information related to open enrollment, plan changes, change in benefit premiums and any other benefit related communications needed.
• Perform routine audits of employee benefit enrollments and payroll deductions.
• Collaborate with the Director of Employee Relations & Internal Affairs in working with union leadership in addressing employee/union issues, including, but not limited to, attending labor management meetings and responding to grievances.
• In cooperation with the Director of Employee Benefits and Risk Management, investigate reported work related injuries and assist in the training, discipline and the establishment of preventive measures to avoid work related injuries.
• Prepare purchase orders related to the operation of the Benefits and Risk Management Office.
• Investigate and process employee property claims.
• In coordination with the Leave and Attendance Specialist, verify and respond to Family Medical Leave of Absence Requests and subsequent billing of benefits to employees.
• Attend Safety Inspections and Safety Meetings as needed.
• Maintain the District's Accident and Illness Prevention Program
• In cooperation with the Director of Employee Benefits and Risk Management, ensure that adherence is met regarding all terms related to benefits and leave policies of the applicable collective bargaining agreement(s) and provide information for the negotiations process.
• Collaborate with first-line supervisors in low-level disciplinary matters, up through written warnings/reprimands and unsatisfactory ratings.
• Collaborate with the Director of Benefits & Risk Management in ensuring compliance with the District workers' compensation program, including, but not limited to, the timely and accurate reporting of injuries, the establishment and oversight of transitional duty, and attending hearings if necessary.
• Collaborate with the Department of Human Resources in investigating and addressing requests for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Perform other job-related duties as required or assigned by the Director of Employee Benefits and Risk Management Services.

Terms Of Employment

Full-time 12-month exempt position. Salary and benefits determined by appropriate employment agreement.

Evaluation

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of personnel.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the school district administrator designated as immediate supervisor of the position, of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.