Job Description

The City of Worcester is seeking qualified applicants for a Benefits Specialist in the Human Resource Department. Under the direction of the Director of Benefits, the position will handle relevant employment matters, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements and departmental policies.  The Benefits Specialist performs professional, confidential, and highly responsible administrative duties requiring independent judgement in the administration and coordination of the employee benefits plans for the City of Worcester and Worcester Public School employees and retirees.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS   

• Administer benefit offerings for the City of Worcester and Worcester Public School employees and retirees, explain benefit plans, costs, and procedures, advise employees and eligible retirees of benefit options; assist employees with enrollment changes and termination of benefits, and ensure that the correct payroll deductions are put in place.
• Perform data entry of benefit elections made by new hires, employees during open enrollment and employees experiencing status changes in various database systems; determine benefit effective dates and make plan/rate calculations; set up payroll deductions for benefits and other voluntary payroll deductions; enter employee enrollment and plan change data
• Reconcile accounts with payments, resolve billing, cancellation or change of coverage issues with insurance carriers or retirees/surviving spouses and employee on leave
• Provide guidance to employees, retirees and their beneficiaries on benefit matters associated with life changes, i.e., birth, death, marriage, divorce, retirement, and position changes
• Perform monthly and quarterly audit of City insurance invoices
• Ensure that payroll and retirement deductions coincide with insurance monthly invoices
• Complete requested reports/submissions as required from national, state, and county agencies, boards, and governing bodies
• Keep up to date and knowledgeable of all health insurance and benefit related federal and state laws such as Medicare A & B, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, M.G.L Chapters 32B and 150E as it relates to health benefits
• Respond to general inquiries and direct customers to appropriate city divisions when necessary
• Assist customers when applying for open City employment opportunities
• Perform similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of Chapter 32B of the Massachusetts General Laws
• Federal and State laws and regulations relating to employee benefits administration, i.e., COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, etc.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, perform assigned projects to their completion
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, retirees, and the public
• Experience with communicating and providing customer service to populations diverse in language, race/ethnicity, and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records
• Respond to general or specific questions regarding policies or procedures and to recognize those instances when inquiries should be referred to a supervisor
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
• Ability to multitask and to handle stressful situations
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, other computer software, copier, scanner, printer, and fax machine

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Human Resource, or;
  • An equivalent combination of education & four (4) years of experience that provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the required duties of the position will be considered in lieu of the above-mentioned requirements.
• Experience in human resource and/or benefits administration
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Excellent communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Four (4) years of benefit administration experience
• Four (4) years of customer service experience in an office setting
• Prior work experience in public sector
• Experience with Workday

SALARY RANGE: $25.83 – $32.28 hourly, full-time, with an excellent benefits package

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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