Benefits Manager

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

BENEFITS MANAGER

Department: Human Resources/Benefits

Unit: Professional and Administrative Exempt

Salary: Compensation range listed is based on an average 1-15 years of experience

Grade 107 – Specific salary paid is based on actual relevant years of experience

HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT MISSION

Human Resources, in support of the district’s mission, will strive to be a model of efficiency, innovation, exceptional customer service, leadership, and best practices.

JOB SUMMARY

This position supervises employee benefits and the benefits team for the district as a member of the Human Resources Team. This position also manages the Family Medical Leave Act and the District’s Personal Medical Leave programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

Supervision

• Supervise and evaluate benefits staff

Benefit Plans and Administrations

• Plan and coordinate the implementation and provide oversight and administration of the district’s benefits programs
• Create and update benefit information and materials for employees on all required platforms
• Assist employees with benefit questions and concerns
• Provide new staff with the applicable benefit package and introduction to the online enrollment system.
• Assist all staff with inquiries about employee benefits, initiation of disability and life insurance claims, and benefits eligibility
• Develop and implement processes and procedures for monthly reconciliation of invoices to ensure accurate and timely payments are authorized and processed
• Develop and implement procedures to ensure employee contributions are accurate and appropriately audited including but not limited to the payment of flex spending accounts
• Act as the benefits troubleshooter and liaison between school district and insurance service providers
• Processes complex health, vision, dental, disability, life, and other benefit invoices for payment after reviewing for accuracy
• Coordinates all employee benefit payment deductions with Payroll
• Responds to employee and eligible dependent’s inquiries regarding benefit continuation
• Implements other required notices related to benefits, such as Medicare Creditable Coverage. Prepares and submits benefit-related reports required by law, such as the Affordable Care Act.
• Coordinates with third party vendors to supply required benefits notices to all staff.
• Oversee voluntary 403(b)/457(b) benefits programs
• Coordinate notification to employees of changes in benefit programs
• Organize an annual Open Enrollment for employees to make benefit changes

Leave Administrations

• Coordinate with third party administrator for employee leave time

Other Duties

• Analyze existing benefits policies/procedures and prevailing practices among similar organizations to establish competitive benefits programs; work with the Purchasing Department and/or District’s insurance broker to create requests for proposals
• Prepare, collect, and compile pertinent data for effective collective bargaining and participate in negotiations as requested
• Prepare and submit required benefit reports to District officials, companies, state and federal regulatory bodies
• Work with the Director of Human Resources and the Budget Office in development of the annual benefit budget
• Utilize the District’s benefits sections of the HRIS as needed
• Research and keep abreast of current issues in the benefits field, make recommendations for improvements and assist with the development of appropriate policies and procedures
• Remain technically competent and knowledgeable of the job expectations, comply with the district’s requirements for professional development
• Interact with all stakeholders in positive, supportive professional manner
• Perform other related duties as requested

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or five years of recent work experience in the benefits area
• Recent experience working with multiple benefits plans required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a school system or a large business entity with complex benefits plans
• Demonstrated experience with an automated benefits system, including employee information set-up and maintenance, preferred
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both oral and written

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet the demands of the position
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple tasks at the same time and meeting the required deadlines

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at (616) 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org.