Supervising Program Administrator Benefits & Wellness

Overview:

Valley Water has a robust Benefits and Wellness Program that supports over 800 employees. Reporting to the Total Rewards and Data Analytics Manager, the Benefits & Wellness Supervising Program Administrator will provide supervisory lead oversight of Valley Water’s Benefits & Wellness Team.  

The team is responsible for the administration of Valley Water’s benefits plans for all active employees, retirees, and the Board of Directors, including annual contract renewals, open enrollment, leaves of absence, processing retiree Medicare enrollments, benefits on-boarding and separations/retirements of employment. This position also supervises the bi-weekly processing of employee transactions and the response to customer service inquiries. The team is also responsible for Valley Water-wide wellness program including the coordination of wellness-related activities, education, and analysis of participation data to determine program effectiveness.

With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

At Valley Water, we provide Silicon Valley safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy and are a leading and nationally recognized water resources management agency. You will find that we are serious about what we do and care for the community we serve. We put people first, celebrate diversity, drive innovation, and do good in the communities where we live and work. When you join our team, you will find likeminded people that are passionate about what they do and have a customer focus to grow the people behind your water.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide day-to-day full operational supervision of the Benefits and Wellness Team including, but not limited to, conducting performance evaluations and fiscal year work plan, providing staff development, approving timesheets, conducting staff meetings and the hiring of any future staff or temporary workers.
• Provide lead oversight of the bi-weekly employee transactions, respond to management questions and requests for data. Resolve employee transaction issues/questions and (if applicable) obtain management approval and provide notification of the resolution.
• Interpret and implement any applicable changes to the state/federal regulations (i.e. CalPERS, health care laws, Medicare and applicable IRS guidelines), contracts, policies and procedures and MOU provisions to ensure Valley Water follows these provisions.
• Represent the benefits function as an SME during Union negotiations, Board of Director, management, bargaining units, and external vendor meetings.
• Compile data and prepare the fiscal year budgets for assigned projects and reconcile labor hours and services & supplies expenditures to ensure they do not exceed the established budgeted amounts.
• Conduct research related to the administration of Valley Water’s benefit programs, compile data, and prepare reports with recommendations for management decisions (i.e., Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB), Affordable Care Act (ACA)).

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

• Six (6) or more years of experience in benefits administration including one (1) year of experience planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing various projects or programs, or serving as a Benefits-recognized subject matter expert or advisor in the assigned program area.
• Experience in the public sector is preferred.
• Experience with CalPERS, Medicare, and working with benefits brokers for plan renewals.
• Experience with HRIS systems (Infor preferred) for accurate transaction entries, modifications, and supporting system testing to ensure functionality. 

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

• Effectively communicate (both verbal and written communication).
• Lead and supervise staff.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Provide excellent customer service across all levels including the Board members and retirees.
• Function as a subject matter expert during Union negotiations.

Ideal Knowledge:

• Knowledge of state/federal regulations (i.e., CalPERS, health care laws, Medicare, and applicable IRS guidelines).
• Principles of organization, administration, budget, and personnel management.

• HR Certification is a plus.

Ideal Training and Education:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, human resources or a related field. Directly related experience may be substituted for the college requirement on the basis of one and one-half years of experience for one year of education to a maximum of four years. 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis. 

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, after completion of the probationary period (one year) which typically entails working 40% remote and 60% onsite.

Salary : $137,197 - $175,698