Human Resources Benefits Analyst- Term-Limited Position

Job Description

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!

The City of Kent Human Resources department is looking for a new addition to their Benefits team! The person selected for this position will provide critical support to our employees regarding leave requests (FMLA, PFML, etc). The person selected for this position possesses a strong grasp of benefit and leave administration and is compelled to provide the highest level of customer service to our employees and their family members. Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills are a must. 

**A cover letter and resume are required with your online application in order for your application to be considered complete.  Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.  Please note that you cannot attach documents to your application after it has been submitted.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding your online application, please call our office at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**

This is a term-limited temporary position with benefits. This position is open until filled with a first review taking place on September 26, 2022. Ideally, this position will be filled by November 16.

SALARY:

$6,576.00- 8,017.00 per month, depending on experience

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Benefits Manager, perform professional, analytical and technical duties in the area of benefits administration. The incumbent performs complex statistical analysis; applies written and analytical skills to gather and analyze information for self-funded and insured health and welfare programs, chairs and maintains benefit programs, administers leave of absences and the impacts of state and federal laws and regulations; conducts new hire orientations and exit interviews; balances and authorizes payments for vendors; and provides internal counseling services to managers, supervisors, employees and dependents.

Work is characterized by professional level analytical Human Resource duties associated with the research, development, implementation and administration of policies, programs and procedures in the area of benefits; employee relations; and training. Incumbent is regularly required to communicate with City officials, departments, and staff, outside agencies, and the general public regarding a variety of benefits and related Human Resource matters. Incumbent shall also be familiar with training City employees in the areas of employee benefit updates and new technology as it pertains to employee benefits programs. While actual duties will vary from time to time, the incumbent is responsible for performing work in all human resource areas as assigned. In addition, incumbent may assist in training of new department personnel.

Work is performed independently under limited supervision. Supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. Incumbent and supervisor work together to develop deadlines, projects and work to be completed. Incumbent is frequently required to work in confidence and under pressure for deadlines. Incumbent is frequently involved in sensitive and emotional issues requiring a considerable amount of tact, diplomacy, and skill in gaining trust and confidence. Incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives. Incumbent keeps supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support benefit programs: research industry and employment trends, track legislation and estimate impact; recommend benefit programs, examine, evaluate and optimize employee understanding, acceptance, cost, regulatory requirements and competitive advantage of programs. 

Administer leaves of absence, long term disability and ADA claims; consult with and advise employees and managers regarding leaves of absences.  Calculate eligibility and coordinate leave requirements under various applicable statutes, organizational policies, procedures, and practices. Perform ongoing evaluation and analysis and act as the situation progresses. Maintain leave documentation in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and City policy.  

Assist in the evaluation and administration of the City’s self-insured and insured health and welfare programs, life insurance, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts and pension programs. Perform benefits enrollment audits and benefit plans’ invoice reconciliation.

Administer the city-wide Wellness program and coordinate events such as the Health Fair, Biometrics, and Flu Shot events.  

Provide internal consulting relating to benefits administration: develop and conduct presentations for varied audiences (employees up to council); work with third party administrators to resolve issues; prepare reports, clarify and interpret benefit contracts and city policies as needed.

Conduct new hire orientations and exit interviews in compliance with benefit contracts and state and/or federal laws.

Chair and/or staff city-wide employee benefit committees, such as, Rewards and Recognition, Wellness, Health Care Board, LEOFF I Board and/or Commute Trip Reduction; prepare and present staff reports as needed.

Administer various programs such as the COVID19 contact tracing program. Research, analyze, recommend, and implement new federal, state and county regulations. Recommend new protocols, develop and implement the reporting process and tracking solutions. Perform case analysis and provide protocol guidance to employees and managers.

Research, develop, implement, and administer the City’s electronic HR filing system. Maintain electronic and hard copy filing systems, including establishing, updating, retaining, purging, and indexing to provide organization and retrieval of information following established record retention guidelines.

Provide Employee Self Service (ESS) support to employees and Managers, including training, processing of leave of absence and benefit transactions. Process assigned employment-related transactions; audit and maintain information in Human Resources-related systems (i.e. HRIS); compile, research, verify, recommend and correct data; perform calculations and prepare summaries, charts and other reports.

Support payroll coordination of benefits processes and procedures; develop and maintain HRIS related Job Aids, develop and conduct Department Liaison training; conduct the city’s open enrollment process, develop and maintain the Benefits Web Pages, and act as point of contact to Department Liaisons and administrative support staff.

Provide research and assistance in the development, implementation and review of personnel policies and procedures in benefits administration and department goals and objectives.

Research industry and employment trends, track legislation and estimate impact; recommend benefit programs, examine, evaluate and optimize employee understanding, acceptance, cost, regulatory requirements and competitive advantage of programs.   

Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City. 

PERIPHERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

May act as the Benefits Manager in the Manager’s absence as assigned.

Perform related duties as assigned.

SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL:

HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Benefit programs, terminology, and practices
• Principles and procedures of self-insured health and welfare plans
• Principles, policies, and procedures of development, maintenance, and administration of citywide benefit programs
• Municipal government policies, procedures, and structure; and applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances
• Current literature, trends, and developments in the field of Human Resource Management
• Principles and practices of governmental budgeting, accounting, and purchasing including preparation, management, monitoring, transfers, and reporting
• Software evaluation and implementation as it applies to area of responsibility
• Principles, policies, and procedures of development and maintenance of citywide personnel records
• Oral and written communication skills
• Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary as it pertains to the job

BE SKILLED IN:

• Use of research and analytical methods, practices, and procedures to define and resolve issues
• Effective organization and expression of ideas using oral and written communications
• Effective use of interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner
• Effective public speaking and preparation of supporting print and online materials, and multimedia presentations
• Consensus building
• Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and HRIS applications
• Gathering, correlating, and analyzing facts to develop a recommended course of action
• Analyzing and understanding complex data; identifying and describing current and emerging trends and understanding the effect of unrelated events on municipal operations
• Providing technical expertise regarding human resources principles, practices and policies
• Marketing and promotion techniques

HAVE THE ABILITY TO:

• Maintain confidentiality
• Establish and maintain trust, confidence, and effective working relationships with all customers
• Prioritize work to meet deadlines, while effectively managing multiple projects
• Work independently and make decisions within established guidelines
• Respond quickly to inquiries and issues
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Apply common sense in solving problems, including those where limited standardization exists
• Compose, proofread, and edit correspondence, reports, contracts, grievance responses, personnel policies, procedures, etc.
• Read, analyze, and interpret relevant publications
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide; compute fractions, ratios, percentages, proportions; draw and interpret graphs and charts; and apply these concepts to practical situations
• Speak effectively and present information before groups of employees, managers, or officials

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education:  

Bachelor’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Insurance Management or a related field; and

Experience: 

Two (2) years of increasingly responsible human resources experience at a professional level with benefit administration, self-funded health and welfare programs, and policies and procedures.

OTHER DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist certification (CEBS) or SHRM-CP Preferred
• Multi-lingual ability – highly desirable
• A minimum of one (1) year of professional benefits administration experience is desired
• Workday software experience

MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer including spreadsheet and word processing software, printers, scanners, telephone, fax, copy machine, calculator, and overhead projector.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; talk; hear; and use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; taste; and smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an office environment subject to frequent interruptions by walk-in applicants, employees, telephone calls, and inter-office activities; may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile; and may be required to travel to different sites to attend/conduct meetings. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $78,912.00 – $96,204.00 per year