School Benefits Coordinator

City of Westfield; Westfield (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Westfield seeks an HR Benefits Administrator to assist in benefits administration, data maintenance, and employee records. The role focuses on Westfield Public Schools benefits while coordinating with the City’s HR team.

Required is an associates degree with at least three years of related experience, or a bachelor's degree in a related field. Strong communication and confidentiality are essential.

Qualifications

• Associates degree plus 3+ years related experience or Bachelor’s degree with related experience.
• Ability to interact with personnel at all levels and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of HR/payroll databases and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and processes benefits administration, including retirement, health/dental, life, deferred comp, FSA, OBRA and other benefits.
• Implements new benefit programs; conducts information sessions and enrollments.
• Calculates and inputs benefit data into city databases; reviews monthly audits for accuracy and updates as needed.
• Collaborates with Westfield Public Schools HR Office to ensure accuracy of information.
• Acts as main contact for benefit/training questions for school and city employees.
• Gathers enrollment information and coordinates enrollment for fringe benefits.
• Compiles operational statistics and related data; assists in annual reporting.
• Maintains Personnel/Employee Benefits website with necessary information.
• Reconciles deduction reports through MTRS enrollment database; coordinates with MTRS.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Personnel Director.

Skills

Benefits administration

Data management

Interpersonal skills

Confidentiality & HIPAA

Education

Associates degree in public administration or HR management

Bachelor’s degree in related field (preferred)

Tools

HR/payroll databases

Word processing

Spreadsheet software

Job description

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GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

This administrative position is responsible for assisting in the oversight of employment practices and the general management of employee benefits. This position is more narrowly responsible for a ssisting employees with enrolling in and understanding benefits, maintaining employee data bases, assisting with insurance billings and maintaining employee files. This position requires strong skills in dealing with people and data in an objective manner. Incumbent must be able to relate to employees and understand their problems yet possess the ability to remain impartial.

SUPERVISION:

Works under the direction of the Assistant Personnel Director and/or Personnel Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinates and processes benefits administration, which include, but are not limited to, retirement benefits, health and dental insurance, life insurance, deferred compensation, flexible spending, OBRA and all other voluntary benefits. This position is required to assist with City side employee benefit administration but is intended to focus on benefit administration for the Westfield Public Schools employees.
• Implements new benefit programs; arranges and conducts employee information presentations and enrollments.
• Calculates and inputs benefit data into the City’s database in a timely manner and reviews monthly audits for accuracy, initiating any required changes in a timely manner and assists in ensuring proper pay deductions are made for corresponding employee benefits.
• Works in conjunction with the Westfield Public Schools Human Resources Office to ensure accuracy and communication of new hire and benefits related information.
• Acts as point of contact in Personnel office regarding benefit and training aspects of employment for both school and city employees, including, but not limited to, acting as main contact with benefit organizations, orchestrating benefit knowledge and training fairs, and answering general pertinent municipal and public questions.
• Meets with new employees and/or retirees to explain and coordinate entitlement to and selection of fringe benefit plans; prepares enrollment forms or otherwise assures proper enrollment for such benefits; coordinates activities regarding employee fringe benefits with appropriate offices.
• Compiles operational statistics and gathers other benefits or trainings related data as required.
• Assists with maintenance, generating and annual filing of necessary reports to the Director and/or any other department or non-municipal agency.
• Assists in all general Personnel Department work matters; assures accuracy, compliance and strict confidentiality of Personnel Department data and information; work may include, but is not limited to, accumulating and/or disseminating general personnel information . Updates the Personnel/Employee Benefits website with necessary information.
• Responsible for reconciling, finalizing and submitting deduction reports through the MTRS enrollment data base for school employees; coordinating directly with MTRS as needed.
• Will perform any other duties as assigned by the Personnel Director or designee.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Associates degree in public administration, benefits administration, human resources management, or other related field with no less than three years of responsible related work experience or bachelor’s degree in such a field of study with some related work experience. A combination of education and experience which provides requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to interact in a positive and effective manner with personnel at all levels of authority.

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and compliance with all HIPPA requirements.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in writing and orally.

Ability to collect, input, analyze and evaluate complex data, to create and test hypothetical models and to prepare reports and make recommendations; ability to orally defend the results.

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference; to apply percentages, rations and similar mathematical concepts to practical situations.

Working knowledge of use of integrated human resource/payroll databases; working knowledge of use of word processing and computer spreadsheet software.

Ability to operate standard office equipment including personal computers with keyboard in the performance of duties.

PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS

Physical Skills

Work is generally conducted within Municipal Building, where Employee is required to report. Ability to travel throughout the office and within the Municipal Building is necessary. Work is largely sedentary in nature, with occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds with some pulling and pushing or reaching above, generally of desk and file drawers. Frequent use of hands to operate keyboards and telephones, and other office equipment.

Motor Skills

The work requires motor skills for activities such as keyboarding, filing, moving objects and using a variety of office equipment.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

The City of Westfield is committed to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

POSITION TYPE: Full-time, 35 hours per week

The City of Westfield is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.