Human Resources Generalist - Benefits

Description

Job Summary

Examples of Duties

Major Duties

• Maintains strict confidentiality of information.

• Researches, analyzes, and administers employee healthcare plans, including medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.

• Works with carriers to recommend to City management ways to manage costs of benefits through best practices.

• Evaluates the costs and benefits of wellness programs, supplemental insurances, and employee assistance programs

• Builds and maintains relationships with health and retirement plan providers

• Processes employee benefits enrollment and change forms within required time limits to meet payroll deadlines.

• Processes and administers all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork, including medical, personal, disability, and FMLA; interprets FMLA and ADA regulations as they relate to leaves of absence and disability claims.

• Manages Workers’ Compensation program, from inception to close; establish and maintain close relationship with employees and third-party administrator for updates and to ensure timely recovery and return to work.

• Coordinates with insurance brokers to give timely notice to employees as required by the COBRA and HIPPA regulations.

• Stay current on changing Federal and State regulations and legislation that may affect employee benefits

• Assists with benefits orientation meetings and in the enrollment of new employees in benefits plans; processes status changes

• Distributes benefits enrollment materials; determines eligibility.

• Assists in the coordination of the open enrollment process, including making group presentations

• and preparing, distributing, and receiving materials and forms; assists employees by explaining benefits and appealing decisions made by insurance companies.

• Responds to retirement plan inquiries from directors and employees related to enrollments, plan changes, and distribution amounts.

• Maintains statistical data related to benefits and assists with the preparation of reports.

• Reviews vendor invoices, resolves disputes and reports on fees and costs

• Assists with new hire orientation.

• Performs related duties.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge Required by the Position

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of specialized training in the field of work, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education.

• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.

• Knowledge of employee benefits administration principles and practices.

• Knowledge of basic accounting principles.

• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.

• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.

• Skill in the use of such office equipment as a computer, scanner, fax machine, and copier.

• Skill in oral and written communication.

• Skill in the provision of customer services.

Supplemental Information

Supervisory Controls

• The Human Resources Director assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines

• Guidelines include employment laws, federal and state regulations, benefits agreements, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work

• The work consists of related specialized duties. The unique needs of each employee and the variety of benefits contribute to the complexity of the position.

• The purpose of this position is to provide specialized support for the city’s employee benefits functions. Successful performance helps ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of those functions.

Contacts

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, job applicants, attorneys, benefits providers, and the general public.

• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve inquiries, and provide services.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.

• The work is typically performed in an office.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

• None.

The City of Lawrenceville offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, health savings accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, short-term disability, holidays, and personal time off.

Health

• Health insurance benefits become active on the 31st day of employment. Health benefits include major medical, dental, and vision. There are three options.
• PPO – Options A & B with HRA (HRA is City funded through wellness program initiatives).
• HDP with HSA (HSA is City funded through wellness initiatives and also voluntarily employee funded).

• Retirement plans are Defined Contribution (401a), and Deferred Compensation (457b).
  • The 401a (City makes a 4% contribution beginning on first pay period after hire date)
  • 457b (Employee contributions only)
• If an employee contributes at least 4% into the 457b, which is voluntary, the City will make an additional 6% contribution into the 401a, totaling 10% into the employee’s 401a.
• Each contribution is a percentage of the employee’s earnings for that pay period.
• There is a graduated vesting schedule into the 401a plan.
  • One year - 20%
  • Two years – 40%
  • Three years – 60%
  • Four years – 80%
  • Five years – 100%

• There is City paid short-term disability, long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) and life insurance that pays two times the employee’s annual salary. Employees can opt into supplemental life insurance for self, spouse and children and pay the premium.

• New Year's Day
• MLK Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Juneteenth
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Employees earn PTO in lieu of individual vacation and sick leave; PTO is earned as follows:
  • First year of service – 3.692 hours per pay period (Department Directors accrue PTO hours at a rate of 5.538 from first day and moving forward until after ten years of service).
  • 1-5 years of service – 5.538 hours per pay period
  • 5-10 years of service – 7.384 hours per pay period
  • 10-15 years of service – 9.230 hours per pay period
  • Over 15 years of service – 11.076 hours per pay period
• Salaried employees are given 40 hours of Comp Vacation on January 1st of each year, that must be used by December 31st of that same year.

• Employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis; pay periods begin on Sunday and payday is every other Thursday. There is a mandatory direct deposit requirement.

• Tuition Reimbursement towards associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degrees, available to all full-time employees after one year of employment. (exclusions apply)