BENEFITS MANAGER

Performs responsible management and professional work in administering, coordinating, organizing, and planning the benefit administration activities of the Personnel Department. This is highly responsible management work overseeing the benefit administration function for the city and reports to the Personnel Director. The Benefits Manager has primary responsibility for overseeing and participating in the administration of all benefits and wellness activities. The Benefits Manager is also responsible for assisting the director in developing and implementing benefit offerings, ensuring compliance with guidelines, establishing budgets and departmental objectives according to city policies. This is a managerial level position that serves under limited supervision and will assist with the supervision of the personnel specialist and administrative staff. Serves as a senior member of the team responsible for the following job functions; Ensures adherence to City, County, State and Federal laws and ordinances; Follows ACA, HIPAA, ERISA and COBRA guidelines; Administers employee benefits: health, dental, vision, life insurance, voluntary supplemental policies, tuition reimbursement, wellness program and leave benefits; Administers disability, retirement, and collaborates with staff on city pension plan; Assists with the pension board meetings and provides subject matter expertise on civil service rules along with city policies and processes; Assists with regularly scheduled new hire orientations and mandatory training; Coordinates with new hires on benefit enrollment and assists employees or retirees in identifying the appropriate benefit selection(s); Counsel's employees, elected officials and retirees on benefit administration; Oversees health fairs, open enrollment events, wellness initiatives and activities related to involuntary and voluntary benefits; Serves as liaison between outside vendors and city employees as necessary; Partners with vendors, finance, and payroll on required reporting; Processes monthly, quarterly and year-end and fiscal transactions; Develops and measures benefit performance, prepares various reporting, tracks benefit usage and health insurance claims; Implements changes to streamline processes and new programs as directed by leadership; Represents the department at meetings as directed; serves as liaison between the department and public, and other City Departments and Offices; Research benefit issues and provides recommendations on administration and policy; Develops and analyzes the costs associated with collective bargaining proposals; System administrator for Eden, PlanSource and other applications; Performs other duties as assigned by the department director. Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Public/Business Administration, Psychology, or related field, plus three (3) years progressively responsible experience in human resources/personnel administration including experience in public sector and civil service systems. Master's Degree Preferred. A valid Florida driver's license Demonstrated experience handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately; Extensive knowledge of the specialized principles and practices of public personnel administration, including benefits administration; Thorough knowledge of personnel department functions and employee programs; Extensive knowledge of health care policies, HIPAA, ERISA and associated reporting requirements is essential; Good knowledge of federal, state and local legislative, regulatory and judicial requirements applicable to the area of benefit administration; Significant experience in Benefit Administration including reconciliation of monthly insurance premiums and administrative adjustments; Skilled in adapting to a changing work environment, competing demands and ability to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events; Strong judgement skills and the ability to follow through on tasks; must be thorough and detail orientated; Strong technology skills; and extensive knowledge in the use of Microsoft Office products (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word); Ability to work independently with high initiative while also being comfortable to work as a team member; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, elected officials, other agencies, vendors and the public; Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively to ensure deadlines are met; Ability to plan, implement, and coordinate technical and administrative programs; Ability to identify and develop new benefit offerings and organize health fairs along with open enrollment events; Ability to manage wellness programs, assess potential initiatives for current and future needs.