Benefits Administrator

This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature and not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.  The specific tasks/duties may vary based on position assignment and as determined by the Town of Queen Creek.

JOB CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

Positions assigned to this class are responsible for administering the Town's employee benefits and leave programs. This role focuses on day-to-day benefits and leave operations, including open enrollment, employee inquiries, liaison for vendors/carriers, compliance monitoring, data management and reporting. This classification serves as a knowledgeable resources for employees, providing support to ensure they fully understand and utilize their benefits options effectively. This position is non-supervisory and requires an in-depth understanding of benefits and leaves administration and related HR functions.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a fully qualified and experienced advanced level professional classification in the human resources job family.   Incumbents perform the full range of duties that demonstrates knowledge of expected functional requirements or performance specifications within human resources. Work involves a variety of benefits and leave-related tasks independently, applying strong analytical, application of sound principles and best practices associated with planning and problem solving and customer service skills. This position demands both technical expertise in benefits and leave administration and the ability to address employee inquiries professionally. This role manages day-to-day benefits tasks, referring complex or strategic issue to HR management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification.  While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the Town’s needs.

• Manages the administration of employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, and wellness programs. Ensure all enrollments, changes, and terminations are processed accurately and timely.
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts open enrollment, providing guidance to employees on plan options, changes, and enrollment procedures. Prepares and distributes communication materials, manage enrollment data, and collaborate with HR and payroll for seamless implementation.
• Responds to employee inquiries regarding benefits and leave eligibility, coverage, claims, and provider issues. Educate employees on available benefits, helping them make informed decisions and ensuring a positive employee experience.
• Serves as a point of contact with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and other benefits vendors. Works closely with providers to resolve employee issues, track service levels, and ensures accurate billing and plan administration.
• Administers Workers’ Compensation claims, ensuring timely reporting, accurate documentation, adherence to state and federal regulations, maintains compliance with applicable laws, conducting periodic audits, and implementing best practices to minimize risks and ensure organizational compliance.
• Oversees the Town’s wellness program; organize and coordinate wellness initiatives, such as health screenings, fitness challenges, financial planning and mental health workshops and promote employee participation.
• Assist with annual employee engagement program; coordinate and lead employee engagement activities, including focus groups, and surveys to foster a positive workplace culture and increase overall employee satisfaction and well-being. 
• Ensures benefits, leave and wellness programs comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA). Prepares and files required reports, such as ACA filings, and support audits or compliance reviews as necessary.
• Enters, updates, and maintains benefits and leave data in the HRIS system. Generates reports to track enrollment, participation, and other benefits metrics. Monitors benefits deductions, reconciliation, and adjustments in collaboration with payroll.
• Facilitates claims resolution and coordinates with insurance carriers to address any benefits-related issues that arise, ensuring prompt and effective resolution of employee claims and concerns.
• Analyzes benefits, leave and wellness utilization and employee feedback to identify trends and areas for improvement. Recommends enhancements to programs and processes to enhance employee satisfaction and program efficiency.
• Chairs and/or participates in Town committees as assigned.
• Collects and analyzes program feedback to assess program impact and identify areas for improvement.
• Interprets, applies and explains Town policies and procedures.
• Provides individual, departmental, or organizational-wide training.
• Performs related work as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (at job entry)

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Public or Business Administration, Business, Human Resources, Psychology, or a related field and 6 years of progressively responsible experience in benefits and leave administration; 2 years of overseeing benefits programs or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience. Master’s Degree preferred. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: To be eligible, incumbents cannot be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Certification as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR or SPHR), Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP), or Certified Professional in Public Sector Human Resources Association (PSHRA-CP or PSHRA-SCP)  is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE

• Principles and practices of public personnel management, ethics and professional standards, benefits and leave administration;
• Health and wellness programs and insurance terminology;
• Organizational development theories and applications;
• Training methods, programs, and techniques;
• Employee engagement strategies;
• Applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations; 
• Strategic planning and budgeting principles;
• Project management/concepts and application; 
• Statistical concepts and methods;
• Customer service principles; 
• English grammar, spelling and punctuation;
• Standard office equipment including the computer and programs relevant to the performance of applicable duties and responsibilities.

SKILLS

• Perform advanced-level benefit and leave administration, and various special personnel-related research studies/projects;
• Maintaining compliance with benefits regulations and filing requirements
• Identifying problems or needs, involving appropriate stakeholders, and developing viable plans of action to address issues;
• Developing, planning and implementing assigned human resource program(s);
• Maintaining confidentiality and exercising good judgment in handling sensitive information;
• Assessing, analyzing, identifying and implementing solutions to complex problems;
• Training methods, adult learning processes, and diversity concepts and applications;
• Conducting comparison and statistical analyses;
• Formulating reports;
• Composing correspondence;
• Performing research, making independent analysis, and reporting findings;
• Using computers and related software applications; 
• Utilizing standard techniques to assess program effectiveness;
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and other interested parties sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

This Benefits Administrator role is office-based and requires frequent interaction with employees, vendors, and other HR team members to support the effective administration of the Town’s benefits and leave programs.

OVERALL PHYSICAL STRENGTH DEMANDS:

Physical Strength for this classification is indicated below with an “X”
X	Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.
	Light: Exerting up to 20 lbs. occasionally, 10 lbs. frequently, or negligible amounts constantly OR requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
	Medium: Exerting 20-50 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly.
	Heavy: Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly.
	Very Heavy: Exerting over 100 lbs. occasionally, 50-100 lbs. frequently, or up to 20-50 lbs. constantly.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

C	F	O	R	N
Continuously	Frequently	Occasionally	Rarely	Never
2/3 or more time	1/3 to 2/3 of time	Up to 1/3 time	< 1 hour per week	Never occurs

Note: This is intended as a description of the way the job is currently performed. It does not address the potential for accommodation.

Physical Demand	Brief Description	C	F	O	R	N
Standing	Communicating with co-workers, observing work site, observing work duties			X
Sitting	Desk work	X
Walking	To other departments/offices/office equipment			X
Lifting	Supplies, files				X
Carrying	Supplies, files				X
Pushing/Pulling	File draws, tables and chairs				X
Reaching	For supplies, for files		X
Handling	Paperwork		X
Fine Dexterity	Computer keyboard, telephone pad, calculator, calibrating equipment	X
Kneeling	Filing in lower drawers, retrieving items from lower shelves/ground				X
Crouching	Filing in lower drawers, retrieving items from lower shelves/ground				X
Crawling	Under equipment				X
Bending	Filing in lower drawers, retrieving items from lower shelves/ground				X
Twisting	From computer to telephone, getting inside vehicles			X
Climbing	Stairs, step stool			X
Balancing	On step stool				X
Vision	Reading, computer screen, driving	X
Hearing	Communicating with co-workers and public and on telephone, listening to equipment	X
Talking	Communicating with co-workers and public and on telephone	X
Foot Controls	Driving				X
Other (Specify)

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE:

Standard office equipment; vehicle

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

D

W

M

S

N

Daily

Several Times Per Week

Several Times Per Month

Seasonally

Never

Health & Safety Factors

D

W

M

S

N

Health & Safety Factors

D

W

M

S

N

Mechanical Hazards

X

Respiratory Hazards

X

Chemical Hazards

X

Extreme Temperatures

X

Electrical Hazards

X

Noise and Vibration

X

Fire Hazards

X

Wetness/Humidity

X

Explosives

X

Physical Hazards

X

Communicable Diseases

X

Physical Danger or Abuse

X

Other (Specify Below

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

None

NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

C	F	O	R	N
Continuously	Frequently	Occasionally	Rarely	Never
2/3 or more time	1/3 to 2/3 of time	Up to 1/3 time	< 1 hour per week	Never occurs
Description of Non-Physical Demands	C	F	O	R	N
Time Pressure			X
Emergency Situation				X
Frequent Change of Tasks			X
Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime				X
Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously		X
Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team		X
Tedious or Exacting Work		X
Noisy/Distracting Environment				X
Other (Specify Below)

PRIMARY WORK LOCATION:

X	Office Environment
	Warehouse
	Shop
	Recreation/Neighborhood Center
	Vehicle
	Outdoors
	Combination of Office, Vehicle and Field
	Other (Specify Below)

Salary : $87,768 - $127,264