Responsible for planning, implementation, maintenance, and administration of a broad range of employee benefits and services to City employees in all City operations. Benefits include, but are not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurances, wellness programs and events, as well as a variety of voluntary programs. Provides special guidance and assistance to all employees and departments on various employee benefits plans. Surveys industry and/or community to determine the City’s competitive position in employee benefits. Develops goals, standards and objectives, recommends, and implements approved, new, or modified plans and employee benefit policies and supervises administration of existing plans. Develop cost control procedures to ensure maximum coverage at the least possible cost to the City and employees. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the City.

The following duties are illustrative for this position. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Keeps the mission, vision, and values of the City of Port St. Lucie and Human Resources Department at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintains high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Leads and schedules Quarterly Benefit and city clinic meetings with third party administrators.
• Schedules, coordinates, and execute open enrollment period meetings for eligible employees, COBRA enrollees, retirees along with third party administrators.
• Organizes the annual Benefits Fair to include development of a theme, procurement of vendors and exhibitors, arrangement of attendance by carrier and health care agencies, production of collateral and marketing events. Recommends additional events related to Benefits and Wellness.
• May provide specialized customer service to employees and retirees on an as needed basis, addressing complex questions regarding available and elected benefits.
• May serve as a liaison between the employees and the carriers to assist in resolving claim issues for medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• May process death claims for beneficiaries of life policies.
• Oversight of the reconciliation of any and all benefit related reports. Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations.
• Oversight of enrollment process for employees in voluntary benefits programs.
• Acts as subject matter expert (SME) for benefits at on-site new hire orientation, Keys to the City (KTTC).
• Ensures provisions of services are compliant with labor agreements and Federal, State, and City statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
• Reviews legislation to determine the effect on benefits programs and services.
• Oversight and management of the Employee Health Clinic and associated inventory
• Oversight and management of the City’s Wellness Program.
• Works closely with the City’s Agent of Record for all City Benefits.
• Implement wellness initiatives and events together with department leadership team. Identifies and implements benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
• Routinely evaluates and compares existing City benefits with those of other employers/governmental agencies by analyzing other plans, surveys, and other sources of information. Plans, develops and/or participates in area and industry surveys. Analyzes results of surveys and develops specific recommendations for review by Director.
• Develop specifications for new plans or modify existing benefit plans for review by the department leadership.
• Develops census data and works with the Director on all Benefits request for proposals (RFPs). Evaluates quotes and makes recommendations to the Director. Oversight and implementation of all benefit related contracts.
• Participates in the preparation for labor negotiations with respect to benefits by conducting benefit related research, acquiring actuarial study and making recommendations.
• Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits policies. Works closely with OD Project Manager on collateral, marketing materials and intranet benefits and wellness page.
• Works with Training & Development to conduct employee benefit seminars/lunch and learns for personnel.
• Oversight and coordination of Life Scan Program.
• Assists in the development of the City bargaining proposals for employee benefits and analyzing Union benefit demands. Obtains and prepares cost data for City and Union proposals and final settlements.
• Supervises preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with Federal and State agencies, such as Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, insurance commissioners, and other regulatory agencies. Reviews and analyzes changes to State and Federal laws pertaining to benefits and reports necessary or suggested changes. Coordinates company benefits, with government sponsored programs.
• Handles specialized benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution.
• Supervises maintenance of human resources records as it pertains to benefits. Supervises maintenance of enrollment, application and claims records for all benefit plans.
• Oversight of retiree benefits, and subsidy programs.
• May provide training and instruction on benefits, plan coverage and related tasks.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, surveys, invoices, personnel authorization forms, budget reports, insurance/benefit billings, contracts, policies, procedures,
• rules, regulations, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation. Reviews, completes, processes, forwards, or retains as appropriate.
• Serves on health and wellness-related committees.
• Performs general clerical tasks in support of department operation which may include greeting the public, distributing documents, explaining employment policies and procedures, responding to public records requests.
• Maintains current knowledge of benefit trends, laws, regulations, and how they impact programs and plans.
• Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the City’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree of Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration or a closely related field required. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in benefits administration required, preferably with a public sector agency. Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience required.

A comparable amount of training, education, or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) / SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certifications required.
• Benefits Administration Certification or comparable required (CEBS, CBP, GBA).
• Possession of valid driver’s license and maintenance of clean driving record required with the ability to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days from date if hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of basic Human Resources principles and benefits plan administration.
• Understanding various medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance and disability plans/programs.
• Familiarity with the Affordable Care Act, COBRA and other Federal and State regulations that relate to the administration of employee benefits plans.
• Ability to perform data entry and systems processing functions, generate reports and provide exemplary customer service.
• Effectively communicates with supervisors, employees, other departments, contractors, companies, vendors, outside agencies, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities and events, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Ability to accurately, and expeditiously, deliver messages and information to the appropriate individuals.
• Ability to prepare accurate and thorough written records and reports.
• Ability to work independently on complex tasks and projects and prepare detailed records and reports.
• Ability to interpret City policies, procedures, benefit programs, and a wide variety of City Personnel matters and effectively communicate to prospective applicants, current employees, retirees, and the public.
• Detail oriented with ability to produce accurate work products.
• Ability to complete multiple tasks with competing priorities.
• Ability to mitigate conflict during communications.
• Strong technology skills.
• Demonstrated experience handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the department and public.
• Knowledge of the legal requirements concerning insurance coverage, as well as other benefits administration.
• Ability to effectively deal with employees and their family members in the resolution of benefits related problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow through with assigned tasks.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.

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 accommodation 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 finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions that may be adverse and extreme (heat, humidity, cold, rain, etc.).

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Office environment is fast paced.