Benefits and Workers Compensation Manager

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises assigned staff, interns, and volunteers.

SUMMARY

The Human Resources Manager is responsible for leading and directing the routine function(s) of the Human Resources (HR) department including recruitment, administering pay, benefits and leave, worker’s compensation and safety, employee relations, systems and applying company policies and practices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Responsible for supervising assigned staff, interns and volunteers; recruitment, performance management and other personnel processes.

Shares responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources Office.

Oversees the administration human resources functions, such as but not limited to: benefits and leaves of absence, wellness, retirement plans, employee relations, safety and workers’ compensation, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).

Provides guidance and interpretation of policies to managers and employees to ensure understanding of policy intent and consistency of administration.

Assists with ensuring agency compliance regarding federal and state laws and regulations.

Advises Human Resources Director/Officer on human resources issues and activities within the agency.

Provides complex analysis of human resources data for statistical and legal reporting purposes.

Presents requested information to directors, officers, board of commissioners and others as requested.

Completes special projects as assigned by the Human Resources Director/Officer.

Provides assistance with staff relations issues.

Participates in and oversees employee committees as assigned.

Benefits and Leave Administration:

Plans, develops, and maintains effective benefit programs and leave administration policies and procedures including:

• Serves as point of contact for benefits to employees, vendors and third-party administrators.
• Provides direction and performance management to assigned staff for benefit and leave activities.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes; evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Maintains master list of all benefit programs, plan documents, summary plan descriptions etc.
• Manages benefit plans in HRIS; conducts quarterly ACA Reporting and generates annual 1095-C.
• In conjunction with benefits broker, participates in and analyzes benefit plan reviews, negotiations, plan utilization, implementation/termination of plan benefits, return on investment and cost effectiveness etc. for best plans, options and rates. Develop specific recommendations for review by management.
• Conducts benefit plan audits including eligibility and ability to enroll in eligible plans.
• Works with finance/payroll department to verify the accuracy of employee contributions.
• Ensures timely processing of vendor payments reflecting accurate coverage and enrollment costs.
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration.
• Processes qualifying event, court-mandated and qualifying event enrollments. Processes mandatory benefit deductions, disability, accident and death claims, loss of coverage, COBRA and related claims/changes.
• Ensures compliance with applicable government regulations.
• Design materials and communications for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions. Provide training and support to management and staff.
• Oversees leave administration in compliance with state and federal regulations, and agency leave policies.
• Ensures leave requests are processed timely and within available balances.
• Engages in interactive process meetings with staff needing accommodation.
• Provides engaging and beneficial wellness resources and events for employees.

Workers’ Compensation and Safety:

Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities related to safety programs and workers compensation.

• Disseminates agency-wide safety training, corrects safety hazards, and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal safety regulations
• Work closely with agency leadership to report safety/loss control, audits, inspections, and injury prevention training.
• Investigates and analyzes incident reports and refines procedures and methods to improve safety.
• Recommends improvements to developing future safety policies and procedures.
• Manages the entirety of the workers’ compensation function including: accident investigation, fitness for duty, injury reporting, claims management, communications with program directors and managers, claims resolution, interactive process, check detail reports (wage summary reports), subpoenas, first aid invoices; compensation class codes, claims audits.
• Stay current on workers' compensation and risk management laws and best practices.
• Oversees loss control mitigation related to workers' compensation claims and compliance reporting.
• Works with the company's workers' compensation attorneys on all litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Maintain all Agency risk management insurance, including but not limited to general liability insurance, automobile insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and fidelity.
• Responsible for maintaining professional relationships with claims adjusters, workers' compensation brokers, and third-party administrators.

Travels for agency business using reliable transportation.

Works evenings and weekends as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To execute 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s Degree with major courses in human resources, business administration, public administration, or related field of study required. Additional relevant work experience may substitute required education on a year-by-year basis.

EXPERIENCE:

Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional human resources management or generalist experience required.

Two (2) years’ supervision in a human resources capacity required, four (4) years preferred.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

PHR or SHRM certification designation strongly preferred. PHR-CA, SHRM California Credential, function-specific certifications such as Workplace Investigation, CEBS, OSHA30 highly desirable.

Previous practitioner experience in ADP WFN desirable.

Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply Federal and State employment laws as they pertain to

Human Resources administration.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills that contribute to a respectful and collaborative work environment.

Proven ability to develop and manage community partnerships and professional relationships.

Excellent problem solving, time management, analysis, design, project management and facilitation skills in a team-oriented work environment.

Strong business acumen. Ability to leverage available technology to its full capacity.

Ability to provide critical evaluation of processes and provide solutions that increase efficiency.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and related business software.

Effective presentation, written and verbal communication skills.

Willing to work non-traditional hours and days to meet the needs of this position.

Maintain a valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, adequate auto insurance as required by State law, and insurability by agency carrier for those driving agency vehicles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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 accommodations 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; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Fresno EOC.

New 1.27.2025