Employee Benefits Specialist
CITY OF MISSOULA, Missoula, MT, United States
Overview
At the City of Missoula, our employees serve the community every day—and our Benefits Specialist plays a vital role in supporting them. This position serves as a trusted resource for employees navigating benefits and leave programs, providing expert guidance, thoughtful problem‑solving, and compassionate support during important life events. The role also offers a hybrid schedule after training, with the possibility of working from home up to two days per week and flexible Monday‑Friday schedules.
Essential Functions
Manage employee benefit programs, including self‑insured health/dental/vision and all supplemental benefits through eligibility determination, benefit enrollment, qualifying life status changes, beneficiary updates, and processing of life insurance claims.
Manage and ensure the accuracy of all entries of benefit enrollment and deductions in the Human Resource Information System (HRIS).
Ensure compliance with several federal regulations related to health benefits and leave, including the issuance of mandatory compliance notices in a timely manner and monitoring enrollment for compliance with regulations, plan documents, and policies.
Exercise independent judgment in interpreting benefit policies and regulations, identify compliance risks, and recommend corrective action when needed.
Provide timely and empathetic guidance and support to employees and managers, answering questions related to benefits, leave processes, and benefit‑related policies.
Provide support with protected and personal leave through leave determination, record‑keeping, compliance, and communication with employees, supervisors, and care providers as needed.
Manage Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Paid Parental Leave (PPL) requests; ensure prompt and compliant service.
Manage unemployment claim responses in a timely manner.
Serve as the primary point of contact for program vendors and third‑party administrators, resolving issues and ensuring effective service delivery.
Oversee accuracy of employee benefit files and payroll records while ensuring compliance with retention requirements.
Implement and manage HR systems to streamline operations and improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery for employees.
Create and maintain all benefits‑related communications on the website, intranet, email, mailings, and fliers.
Develop and facilitate education sessions for employees related to benefits.
Perform audits and required state and federal filings, including annual 1095 reports.
Process the monthly reconciliation of benefit invoices to identify and resolve discrepancies to ensure accurate billing, enrollments, and retiree benefit payments.
Research employee benefit and wellness practices and recommend changes and/or modifications to existing health plan design, policies, and programs.
Serve as HR staff representative to the Employee Benefits Committee; prepare and present benefits updates and recommendations.
Manage the Voluntary Employee’s Beneficiary Association (VEBA) program for multiple departments and groups, providing clear and timely employee communications regarding VEBA benefits; deliver employee training and information sessions; administer annual VEBA voting processes with attention to election integrity and confidentiality; route documents for approval and signature; and ensure ongoing compliance with State regulations and City policies.
Perform other duties as assigned, based on training and qualifications.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Knowledge of human resources administration principles and practices, including benefits and leave administration, personnel management, and collective bargaining agreements.
Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws such as FMLA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, Wage and Hour, etc.
Skill in utilizing various computer software and databases, including Microsoft 365 with the ability to learn job‑specific applications and equipment.
Skill in organization, and time management with the proven ability to have keen attention to detail and accuracy in performing work with adherence to strict deadlines.
Skill in creating educational materials, publications, and written reports.
Skill in public speaking, with the ability to present information to a variety of diverse groups and individuals, while facilitating positive outcomes and maintaining a calm demeanor.
Skill in multitasking in a fast‑paced environment and managing multiple projects while prioritizing tasks with shifting priorities and timeline demands.
Skill in communicating, in person and writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to research, analyze, and provide solutions and recommendations to various situations.
Proven ability to participate in a team‑oriented environment, contributing as lead and/or collaborator to implement practices in an inclusive, high‑performance organization.
Ability to maintain and exhibit integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
Ability to maintain and foster a culture of professionalism, adhere to departmental and City standards and specifications, and support a positive team environment.
Ability to learn, interpret, and apply City and departmental policies, procedures, and practices.
Qualifications And Additional Application Materials
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to eight (8) years’ experience in human resources, benefit administration experience, or another relevant field.
Benefits or HR related certification, preferred.
Benefits
Market‑Competitive Salary
Work/life balance, including the possibility of flexible schedules and remote work opportunities
$0 premium for health and dental coverage for employees and affordable premiums for family coverage
$10,000 Employer‑sponsored Accidental Death and Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy
Options for supplemental life, disability, critical illness, and accident
Constitutionally guaranteed retirement plan with the City contributing 8.77% of salary on your behalf and the ability to contribute to a supplemental deferred compensation program
Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Pre‑tax flexible spending accounts
The City of Missoula may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.
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Essential Functions
Manage employee benefit programs, including self‑insured health/dental/vision and all supplemental benefits through eligibility determination, benefit enrollment, qualifying life status changes, beneficiary updates, and processing of life insurance claims.
Manage and ensure the accuracy of all entries of benefit enrollment and deductions in the Human Resource Information System (HRIS).
Ensure compliance with several federal regulations related to health benefits and leave, including the issuance of mandatory compliance notices in a timely manner and monitoring enrollment for compliance with regulations, plan documents, and policies.
Exercise independent judgment in interpreting benefit policies and regulations, identify compliance risks, and recommend corrective action when needed.
Provide timely and empathetic guidance and support to employees and managers, answering questions related to benefits, leave processes, and benefit‑related policies.
Provide support with protected and personal leave through leave determination, record‑keeping, compliance, and communication with employees, supervisors, and care providers as needed.
Manage Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Paid Parental Leave (PPL) requests; ensure prompt and compliant service.
Manage unemployment claim responses in a timely manner.
Serve as the primary point of contact for program vendors and third‑party administrators, resolving issues and ensuring effective service delivery.
Oversee accuracy of employee benefit files and payroll records while ensuring compliance with retention requirements.
Implement and manage HR systems to streamline operations and improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery for employees.
Create and maintain all benefits‑related communications on the website, intranet, email, mailings, and fliers.
Develop and facilitate education sessions for employees related to benefits.
Perform audits and required state and federal filings, including annual 1095 reports.
Process the monthly reconciliation of benefit invoices to identify and resolve discrepancies to ensure accurate billing, enrollments, and retiree benefit payments.
Research employee benefit and wellness practices and recommend changes and/or modifications to existing health plan design, policies, and programs.
Serve as HR staff representative to the Employee Benefits Committee; prepare and present benefits updates and recommendations.
Manage the Voluntary Employee’s Beneficiary Association (VEBA) program for multiple departments and groups, providing clear and timely employee communications regarding VEBA benefits; deliver employee training and information sessions; administer annual VEBA voting processes with attention to election integrity and confidentiality; route documents for approval and signature; and ensure ongoing compliance with State regulations and City policies.
Perform other duties as assigned, based on training and qualifications.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Knowledge of human resources administration principles and practices, including benefits and leave administration, personnel management, and collective bargaining agreements.
Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws such as FMLA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, Wage and Hour, etc.
Skill in utilizing various computer software and databases, including Microsoft 365 with the ability to learn job‑specific applications and equipment.
Skill in organization, and time management with the proven ability to have keen attention to detail and accuracy in performing work with adherence to strict deadlines.
Skill in creating educational materials, publications, and written reports.
Skill in public speaking, with the ability to present information to a variety of diverse groups and individuals, while facilitating positive outcomes and maintaining a calm demeanor.
Skill in multitasking in a fast‑paced environment and managing multiple projects while prioritizing tasks with shifting priorities and timeline demands.
Skill in communicating, in person and writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to research, analyze, and provide solutions and recommendations to various situations.
Proven ability to participate in a team‑oriented environment, contributing as lead and/or collaborator to implement practices in an inclusive, high‑performance organization.
Ability to maintain and exhibit integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
Ability to maintain and foster a culture of professionalism, adhere to departmental and City standards and specifications, and support a positive team environment.
Ability to learn, interpret, and apply City and departmental policies, procedures, and practices.
Qualifications And Additional Application Materials
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to eight (8) years’ experience in human resources, benefit administration experience, or another relevant field.
Benefits or HR related certification, preferred.
Benefits
Market‑Competitive Salary
Work/life balance, including the possibility of flexible schedules and remote work opportunities
$0 premium for health and dental coverage for employees and affordable premiums for family coverage
$10,000 Employer‑sponsored Accidental Death and Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy
Options for supplemental life, disability, critical illness, and accident
Constitutionally guaranteed retirement plan with the City contributing 8.77% of salary on your behalf and the ability to contribute to a supplemental deferred compensation program
Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Pre‑tax flexible spending accounts
The City of Missoula may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.
#J-18808-Ljbffr