General Description:

Working with a team of generalists, the Benefits and Compensation Specialist performs a variety of work with the administration of the RPS employee benefits programs, including all insurance benefits and retirement plans, and works closely with the Payroll Office of the Finance Department to ensure accurate and timely payments to staff. Specialists provide assistance and information to employees and retirees regarding benefit options, claims processing, and procedures. Specialists are expected to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and privacy in dealing with employee records and personal information.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responds to inquiries from employees regarding benefits and resolves problems that may arise; assists with annual open enrollment and responds to inquiries regarding status changes.
• Maintains and updates benefit and retirement records; processes and forwards documents to benefit providers.
• Maintain current and comprehensive knowledge of laws and regulations applying to the Family and Medical Leave Act, COBRA, HIPAA, and ACA and employee benefit plans.
• Processes and reviews applications, maintains and updates benefit records, processes enrollment, cancellations, and payroll deductions for employee benefits.
• Makes presentations at New Employee Orientation sessions by explaining benefit options, policies and procedures and answers any questions regarding retirement, health/dental/life insurance, and other benefit issues.
• Collects benefit option information from new hires and reports deduction information to the payroll department.
• Prepare and send COBRA information to terminated employees. Follow proper procedures to handle COBRA choices by former employees and related family members.
• Manage, coordinate, and ensure compliance with the division’s leaves of absence policies (medical, family, personal) in accordance with school board policy and local and federal laws.
• Administer and track FMLA, short-term and long-term disability, and calculate and audit available leave to use while using leave.
• Serve as liaison between employees and third-party administrators to ensure efficient and compliant plan administration.
• Calculates disability pay and leave adjustments for VRS hybrid employees as it relates to payroll.
• Assists with the administration of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), maintaining employee data for all plans, which require monitoring of employee changes to investments and employee match.
• Assists with the development and implementation meaningful wellness programs to help employees become aware of health risks and encourages them to think in terms of healthier lifestyles.
• Performs quarterly in-depth benefit plan enrollment audit/reconciliations to ensure accurate employee/dependent/retiree enrollments and premium deductions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field preferred.
• Minimum three years of experience in administration of employee benefits programs preferred.
• Knowledge of practices and procedures of school personnel administration, experience with Virginia Retirement System, and understanding of laws governing FMLA.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas simply and succinctly.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail.
• Experience working independently in a fast-paced, environment and adaptable when managing multiple, shifting priorities.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office products, Google applications, and other business solutions software.
• Ability to work non-standard hours occasionally.
• Bilingual/proficiency in Spanish preferred.

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access the website at: www.rvaschools.net

Please upload a current resume with your application. Three references names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting, and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment. EOE.