Benefits and Wellness Specialist

Are you RichmondR.E.A.D.YRespect.Equity.Accountability.DiversityYOU!!!

This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent fostering growth opportunities and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

The Human Resources Departments mission is to support our customers in accomplishing their missions by attracting and retaining a highly skilled and diversified workforce that is compensated and rewarded for its effort in an equitable safe and responsible work environment. Our mission is accomplished within existing resources in an environment of change with integrity and in a manner that is consistent with the Citys policies Code of Ethics merit system principles and federal and state laws. We are responsible for recruitment and testing classification and compensation training benefits administration and workforce relations.

The Benefits & Wellness Specialist will lead the retirement (Virginia Retirement System) optional life insurance and basic life insurance programs. This role will focus on ensuring effective and efficient financial management of those programs as well as provide support to employees. Ideal candidates will thrive in a fastpaced rewarding environment utilizing proficient skills in Excel Benefits Administration critical thinking and problem solving to successfully manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

• Work collaboratively with multiple external vendors to manage City of Richmond accounts (ex. Billing Wires Employee account updates) utilizing all vendor employer sites with a focus on Virginia Retirement System.
• Manage and reconcile large data sets (3000) from multiple sources utilizing advanced Excel skills such as sorting filtering pivot tables vlookup/xlookup adding/subtracting cells and formulas (ex. SUBSTITUTE / CONCAT / IF statements). Ability to demonstrate proficiency through an Excel assessment.
• Diagnose problems gathering pertinent information and identify alternative solutions followup with employees and leadership as needed to resolve issues.
• Work with internal and external auditors to produce reports and materials needed for requests on a regular basis.
• Ability to verify and ensure accuracy and validity of moderately complex benefits transactions. Ability to examine HRIS system records to assure adherence to standards and regulations.
• Support organizational goals and initiatives related to automation and process improvements
• Utilizes strong written communication skills / Microsoft Word to write and develops plans policies and procedures. Schedule meetings and track progress of priorities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
Data analysis:

• Complete benefit plan data audits to include producing reports and providing summaries and details for system reconciliations
• Oversight of reporting administrative functions plan eligibility and contributions of benefits programs
• Lead on inbound and outbound integration files wire transfers file reconciliations and file maintenance in collaboration with Finance IT and Audit
• Provide oversight and reporting for all plans programs and policies in compliance with federal state and local regulatory requirements
• Complete complex benefits adjustments in the HRIS/Payroll system that directly impacts statement of earnings (adjustments / refunds).
• Performs all additional related duties and responsibilities as required

• Collaborate on and lead processes related to pension and retirement benefits
• Manage benefits plan components in accordance with ERISA COBRA HIPAA and other federal and state regulations
• Oversee benefits programs such as basic life insurance optional life insurance and other benefits programs
• Handles complex and escalated customer service issues manages issue resolution
• Conduct benefits information program sessions provide estimates and coordinate all necessary correspondence with benefit providers and agencies
• Manage relationships and activities of assigned plan vendors to ensure outstanding customer service and accurate and efficient administration in accordance with plan/program design and legal requirements

• Oversee SOP project focused on process improvement solutions and engage in key projects/duties as assigned
• Leverages technology to engage in automation projects to increase productivity and efficiencies
• Communicate/present employee benefit information and plan changes to employees during Open Enrollment New Hire Orientation and life events
• Support RFP processes for new benefits and vendors as assigned

• Retirement and pension programs
• Budgeting and reconciliation of large complex data sets
• Benefits promotion/advertising techniques
• Human Resources / Employee Benefits
• Microsoft Office Suite with a focus on Microsoft Word and Excel

• Research and analysis
• Project management
• Oral and written communication
• Resourcefulness
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Diplomacy and interpersonal communication
• Public speaking/presenting to a diverse population

• Multitasking
• Encourage and motivate others
• Track and maintain multiple projects simultaneously
• Function independently with minimal supervision
• Listen attentively
• Manage time effectively and complete priorities accurately and quickly
• Pay attention to detail
• Manage timelines and deadlines

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5 years of Human Resources experience with 3 years in the field of employee benefits
• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business Administration Public Administration or a related field
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or HRCI HR Certification (PHR/PHR) orSHRM HR Certification (SHRMCP) preferred

• 4 years of experience in Benefits Administration
• 1 years leading/supervising staff
• Masters degree in Human Resources; Business Administration; Public Administration; or a related field
• Education in accounting finance or math is strongly preferred or training and experience equivalent.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts electrical currents vibrations etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes odors dusts gases and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people imminent danger and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:Due to the nature of work assignments incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly finger talk hear see and perform repetitive motions; frequently walk; and occasionally stoop reach stand push pull lift grasp and feel. The working conditions may contain environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties this classification is considered to be sedentary exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

* Internal use: HR Generalist to review.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process please contact Jessica McKenzie Human Resources Manager by email at .

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruitment hiring placement promotion termination layoff transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

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