Benefits Coordinator

This position is open only to current Colorado state residents.

An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities

Our Vision -Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado

Our Core Values –Unity, Honor, Service

CDPS commits to cultivating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. We ensure that we recruit, retain, and promote engaged employees. Our approach to diversity is simple - it's about embracing everyone! We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. Our strength is our promise to be inclusive with intentional strategies to welcome and uplift our employees to thrive - while building a more equitable workplace. CDPS is an equal opportunity employer. See our

Description of Job

About the Work Unit

The Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS) Human Resources office exists to provide human resources services to the general public, applicants, managers, and employees of COPS. Consultation services include benefit administration, compensation consultation, employee relations, exam development, HR policy development, job analysis, job evaluation and classification, organizational development, new employee orientation and onboarding, performance management (PMP), interpretation of COPS HR policy, state personnel rules, state and federal employment laws, progressive discipline, records management, recruitment, responding to grievances, appeals, charges of discrimination, reorganization matters, retention, selection and selection appeals, worker's compensation, settlement advice, strategic planning and overall HR guidance to COPS managers, supervisors, and employees.

Work Environment

Hybrid (two days in the office minimum)Work unit core business hours Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm (Flexible option available)Mostly sedentary

About the Job

This position works in partnership with the Benefits Administrator and Payroll and Benefits Manager to ensure proper administration of benefits programs and services for CDPS’ 2200 employees across the state.

This position coordinates benefit programs and consults with and advises employees on eligibility for insurance, PERA, and other benefits. Maintains benefit records and prepares documents necessary for implementing benefit coverage. Maintains all benefits records, health information, and employee/family personal information confidential. This position is also a subject matter expert in the State of Health Colorado Wellness Program and provides information to CDPS employees and Supervisors to ensure maximum participation. This position provides information and guidance to CDPS employees and management staff on all state benefit programs. Responsibilities require knowledge of Federal, State, and program rules and regulations, as well as an in-depth understanding of how those rules and regulations apply to benefit programs.

Key Responsibilities
Benefits Administration

• Performs as the dedicated Benefits Coordinator and benefits advocate for more than 2,200 employees. Communicates with the DPA State Benefits Administration as necessary. Provides information to employees on medical, dental, wellness, flex spending, retirement plans, tax-deferred annuities, life insurance, Colorado State of Health, etc.
• Views, approves and processes all changes to state benefits on-line enrollment system, death notifications, etc., for all employees to ensure all applicable rules, regulations, and laws are applied. Provides consultation and problem resolution and resources to employees and supervisors by interpreting agency policies and State personnel rules and regulations, and resolving benefit issues and problems with various carriers on behalf of employees. Ensures all materials and information are accurate and reflect the current state benefits. Views, approves, and processes all changes to state benefits on-line enrollment system for all employees by ensuring all applicable rules, regulations, and laws are applied.
• Ensures department compliance with federal and state laws, including reporting requirements.
• Working within the Benefit Administration System, independently investigates and reviews inquiries from employees, to include eligibility discrepancies and specific employee coverage issues.
• Investigates and resolves complex eligibility issues within BenefitSolvers. Reviews documentation submitted by employees to verify dependents relationship with employees and exercise discretion in determining dependent eligibility.

Benefits Reconciliation and Reporting

• Manage the benefits email box, phone messages, weekly queries, and ongoing and annual benefits enrollment activities.
• Coordinates proper employee compensation with payroll colleagues on employees using leave without pay. Determines whether employees will owe for benefits and communicate deadlines and processes to employees regarding their premiums owed.
• Ensures security of employee medical information. Maintain records and administer processes for compliance to state regulations.
• Responds to phone calls and messages, assists walk-in traffic, and responds to email and other inquiries, including following through to report findings/resolution.
• Views, approves, and processes changes to state benefits in the online enrollment system, death notifications, etc., for all employees to ensure all applicable rules, regulations, and laws are applied.
• Guides employees through benefits enrollment, open enrollment, benefits changes.
• Researches employee benefit and health and safety practices, and recommend changes or modifications to existing policies.
• Plans and develops curricula and materials for training programs and conduct training.
• Assists in preparation and maintaining personnel guidance materials and handbooks.
• Issues required by law, notice to separating employees.
• Maintains current knowledge of State Personnel Rule, State Statutes, plan documents, benefits related IRS rules (HIPAA, ACA, etc.), and interpreting these rules to answer questions.
• Conducts benefit enrollment audits.
• Provides retirement enrollment information and paperwork to PERA.
• Develop procedures, conduct open enrollment, and any training needed to enhance employee access and understanding of benefit related information.
• Acts as the expert on benefits systems that employees use to enroll in and trains employees and other HR staff on the use of systems.
• Runs reports and works with payroll to ensure that all issues surrounding payroll are resolved in a timely fashion.
• Ensures required personnel records are maintained and accurate. Includes statistical records and any necessary reports as required by the Department of Personnel, Controller’s Office and other state agencies.
• Responds to audit queries, CORA, or any other requests as required. Ensures all required publications are clearly posted and maintained as required under federal and state law.

Training, Customer Support

• Conducts monthly New Employee Orientation. Also, as necessary, conducts special New Employee Orientations and follow up for CSP Cadet, POE Academy classes that sometimes occur outside of normal business hours. Provides additional attention and meetings to Divisions with a large number of new hires that may be outside of the 30 day deadline for enrollment.
• Completes New Employee Orientation sign in sheet in preparation for orientation and the Statewide NEO spreadsheet. Submits Statewide NEO spreadsheet to DPA on the first working day each month.
• Assists the Benefits Administrator to manage open enrollment annually to ensure employees are informed about changes to benefit options and ensures all employees enroll when there is a mandatory open enrollment and that all required documents are present.
• Administers and coordinates wellness activities and events department wide ensuring accessibility and equity.
• Collaborates with stakeholders on creation of benefits guides in an accessible format to provide resources to the employees on benefits selections, requirements, and deadlines as a value add service to increase employee understanding and compliance.
• Position may be required to travel to different parts of the State where our offices are located periodically to provide open enrollment meeting or benefit trainings.
• Ensures appropriate use of time and leave keeping system by facilitating necessary updates and conducting training as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Note, to be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills

Six (6) years of relevant experience in employee benefits or a related human resource role.

OR Education and Experience, Knowledge, Skills

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in employee benefits or a related human resource role equal to six (6) years.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies

• Solid understanding of employee benefits programs (health insurance, retirement plans, etc.)
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and record-keeping.
• Proficiency in Google Suite and HRIS systems.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and professionalism.
• Problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to addressing employee benefit concerns.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, reference checking.
• Must be Colorado resident at the time of application

Appeal Rights
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Supplemental Information

Are you in need of an accommodation?
If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at cdps_hr@state.co.us .

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $57,300.00 - $92,340.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lakewood, CO 80215

Salary : $57,300 - $92,340