Benefits Specialist Salary $46,510.00 - $75,196.00 Annually Location Raleigh, NC Job Type Full-Time Department Human Resources Job Number 2018-00658 Closing 11/8/2018 11:59 PM Eastern Job Description This class is the first level in a five-level Human Resources Series devoted to providing the full scope of human resources services to the City as well as management consulting and organizational development activities. Incumbents provide advanced paraprofessional work, typically working independently to perform the most complex human resources support and transactional functions. Work may include providing day-to-day administration and support for one or more City employee benefit plans, including medical, life, vision, retirement and flexible spending plans; consulting with and responding to employees regarding benefit inquiries; serving as a liaison to payroll and preparing/transmitting payroll benefit information; reconciling and processing vendor invoices; serving as a liaison between vendors and employees; revising and updating procedures; providing benefit information to other human resources staff; developing, facilitating and presenting the new employee on-boarding process; coordinating annual wellness assessment and open enrollment; administering employee leave including FMLA; processing benefit transactions; and participating in human resources special event planning. Duties and Responsibilities Essential Duties: Provides day-to-day administration and support for one or more City employee benefit plans, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, voluntary insurance plans, retirement and flexible spending plans. Responds to inquiries from employees and retirees; serves as liaison between vendors and employees; performs research regarding claims, coverage, benefit questions, and/or information requests; provides guidance and information related to benefit plans, policies, procedures and forms completion; researches and resolves issues and/or provides referrals to appropriate resource. Provides human resource transaction processing support; reviews completed paperwork and forms to ensure thorough completion and compliance with applicable rules and regulations; enters, updates and/or verifies system data related to plan enrollment, changes, terminations, distributions, claims and/or other elections or requests; reviews and provides completed paperwork and information to payroll for further processing. Maintains confidential files, records, data and documentation. Reviews and reconciles invoices; processes refunds; prepares estimates; transmits data files; scans forms and sends to vendors; prepares schedules; and/or provides related administrative office support. Assists in planning, scheduling and coordinating space arrangements and materials for special events, new hire onboarding, benefit enrollments, orientations, workshops, and/or ad hoc training meetings; provides administrative support of special projects. Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned. Typical Qualifications Education and Experience Associate's Degree in human resources, business or public administration and two years of human resources experience. OR An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation. Licensing/Certifications Valid Driver's License required Additional Information Knowledge of: Standard practices, methods and materials of assigned work. Business math concepts. Filing and record-keeping principles. Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practices. Uses and properties of supplies and equipment. Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (based on assignment). Customer service principles. Specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment. Modern office technology. Skill In: Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands. Performing basic original research, compiling and assembling data. Following directions and meeting standards. Providing attention to detail in assignments. Proofreading and error correction. Business math computations. Exercising confidentiality. Organizing and maintaining records and files. Maintaining and updating data and documentation. Comprehending reference books and manuals. Scheduling meetings and events, determining logistics and making required arrangements. Reviewing and resolving issues or providing appropriate resource referral information. Operating assigned tools and equipment. Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards (based on assignment). Providing customer service. Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications. Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction. ADA and Other Requirements: Positions in this class typically require: fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Working Conditions: Work is routinely performed in an indoor, office environment. Note: This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position. City of Raleigh Employee Benefits When you join the City of Raleigh's work family, your benefits are an important part of your "total rewards". Your benefits impact many aspects of your life including your health, your finances, and the protection of your family. The City provides a comprehensive benefits package as part of our total rewards program to support you through important events in your life, to enhance your life outside work, and to help you plan and prepare for the future. This benefits summary describes benefits that are available to: Regular full-time employees Regular part-time employees Firefighters Police Officers (Law Enforcement Officers) Temporary employees Seasonal employees Interns Full - Time Regular Employees: The City's Benefits Package includes: Paid Time Off Holidays (12 paid holidays determined by the City Council): New Year's Day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Good Friday Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veteran's Day 2 Days for Thanksgiving 3 Days for Christmas Vacation The City of Raleigh provides paid vacation for you to be away from work for rest and relaxation. Vacation is earned at the rate of 1 day per month, beginning the first of the month, following the completion of 30 days of employment. You are required to complete six months of service before vacation leave will be granted. Vacation Accrual Schedule is shown below for years of service: 0 - 3 years | (1 day/month = 12 days/year) 4 - 10 years | (1.25 days/month = 15 days/year) 11 - 15 years | (1.5 days/month = 18 days/year) 16 - 20 years | (1.75 days/month = 21 days/year) 20+ years | (2 days/month = 24 days/year) Note : Employees may accrue up to 50 day. Vacations days over 50 are automatically converted to sick leave. Sick Leave The City provides sick leave for you, which is earned at the rate of 1 day per month (12 days per year), beginning the first of the month following completion of 30 days of employment. Additional Sick Leave In addition to sick leave, after 8 years of employment, you will have an Additional Sick Leave account and will accrue 5.44 days per month during your 8th year. After 15 years, you will accrue 5.44 days per month during your 15th year. After 25 years, you will accrue 10.88 days per month during your 25th year. Petty Leave As a City employee, you earn 12 hours of petty leave per year. Petty leave can be used for attending to personal matters which usually cannot be transacted outside of office hours, such as medical appointments, etc., not to exceed 4 hours in one day. Health Benefits Medical Coverage For many employees, one of the most important decisions you make is selecting the medical plan option that is best for you and your family. The City provides you with the choice of two medical plan options (Blue Options PPO Plan A and PPO Plan B), administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. When you enroll in medical coverage, prescription drug coverage is included. Plan A: The City pays a significant portion of your and your dependents' premiums under Plan A. Plan B: The City pays the full cost of individual coverage and a significant portion of your dependents' premiums under Plan B Note : The City offers a wellness incentive on medical insurance premiums for employees who complete the requirements of the Health Risk Screening/Assessment and Tobacco Attestation each year. Coverage for new employees is effective the first day of the month following your date of hire. Premiums for the plan are paid through payroll deductions on a pre-tax basis. We offer the following levels of coverage to cover yourself and your eligible dependents: individual (for employee only) parent/children employee/spouse family Dental Coverage Good dental care is an important part of your overall health care. The City provides you with dental coverage and pays a significant portion of the cost for you and your family. Coverage for new employees is effective the first day of the month following your date of employment. Premiums for the plan are paid through payroll deductions on a pre-tax basis. We offer the following levels of coverage to cover yourself and your eligible dependents: individual (for employee only) parent/children employee/spouse family Life Insurance Benefits Group Term Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance An important concern for most employees is providing economic security for your family in the event of your death or accidental dismemberment. All regular employees are provided basic life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment in an amount equal to 1 times their base annual salary, up to a maximum of $250,000. The coverage is effective the first day of the month following your date of hire. The City pays the full premium cost for Basic Life/AD&D insurance for you. Voluntary Term Life Insurance You may purchase additional Voluntary Life for yourself through payroll deductions in the amount of 1, 2, and 3 times your base annual salary, not to exceed $400,000. You may apply for as much as $125,000 without medical evidence of insurability if you elect it within 31 days of your initial eligibility. Dependent Life Insurance You may also purchase Dependent Life coverage for your spouse or dependent children. You may purchase coverage for your dependents in the amount of $2,500 or more through payroll deductions. Whole Life Insurance To provide additional life insurance for yourself, you may purchase Whole Life Insurance. Whole Life Insurance is permanent insurance that supplements your term life insurance. Coverage includes a long term care rider, which allows you to access a death benefit for long term care and home health care needs. Guaranteed issue coverage premiums range from $3 to $25 per week. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) Flexible Spending Accounts are another valuable feature of the City's Benefits package. A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a tax-free account that allows you to pay for essential health care expenses that are not covered, or are partially covered. Expenses include medical/ dental/ vision expenses, child/dependent care expenses, or monthly parking fees. The City has established medical, dependent care, and parking "reimbursement" accounts so that employees may pay for these expenses on a pre-tax basis. Disability/Accident/Critical Illness Disability Income Plan You may purchase short-term disability insurance to replace a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to an off-the-job accident, illness, surgery, or pregnancy. You may enroll in this voluntary payroll deduction plan, which provides up to 60% of your income up to a maximum monthly benefit of $5,000 if you are unable to work. Accident Insurance You are eligible to enroll in this voluntary payroll deduction plan, which may supplement your health insurance providing 24-hour coverage for accident-related injuries. Coverage provides lump-sum payments directly to employees for accident related injuries including, but not limited to, broken bones, cuts, burns, eye injuries, ruptured discs, etc. An annual wellness (health screening) benefit is included. Critical Illness You are eligible to enroll in this voluntary payroll deduction plan, which provides a lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a covered critical illness. You may purchase coverage for your spouse. Each dependent child is covered at 50% of the amount of coverage you purchase at no additional cost. A wellness (health screening) benefit is available. Retirement N.C. Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (NCLGERS) All regular full-time employees are covered under the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (NCLGERS). As an employee, you contribute 6% of your annual salary on a tax-deferred basis. The City contributes a percentage of your annual salary to your retirement accounts. Regular Full-Time Employees are eligible for a full unreduced retirement benefit after they: Complete 30 years of creditable service at any age Reach age 60 and complete at least 25 years of creditable service Reach age 65 and complete at least 5 years of creditable service Regular Full-Time Employees are eligible for a reduced early retirement benefit after they: Reach age 50 and complete at least 20 years of creditable service Reach age 60 and complete at least 5 years of creditable service Purchase of Creditable Service Effective January 1, 2003 pre-tax money from an eligible retirement plan or IRA may be accepted via rollover on an in-service plan-to-plan transfer to purchase creditable service. This was approved in October 2003 by Prudential 401(k) and City of Raleigh Supplemental Retirement Plan. What Does This Mean To You? If you have withdrawn service, military service, or part time local service, etc., then you can use your funds from your Prudential 401(k) or the City of Raleigh Supplemental Retirement Plan to purchase this service by rolling over the funds. How Can You Do This? Contact Human Resources at 919-996-3315 to obtain the forms. You may also go to the following websites to download the forms Supplemental Retirement Plans To maximize your retirement income, all regular full-time employees may voluntarily participate in either the City's Supplemental Retirement Plan or the Supplemental Retirement Income Plan of North Carolina 401(K) Plan, or in both plans. Supplemental Retirement Plan Participation in this Plan is voluntary. Employees may contribute a minimum of 1.0% of their salary to receive the City's match of 2%, except for law enforcement officers. Contributions can be made on a tax-deferred or after-tax basis. Supplemental Retirement Income Plan of N.C. 401(k) Plan All regular full-time employees may participate in the Supplemental Retirement Income Plan of North Carolina 401(K) Plan. Participation is voluntary and officers may contribute up to a maximum level as provided by IRS regulations. Contributions can be made on a tax-deferred or after-tax basis. The maximum contribution limits for both Plans are $17,500 in 2014. Note : If you are age 50 or older, you may contribute an additional $5,500 in 2014. Social Security City employees are members of the Social Security System. The employee contributes 7.65% of their annual salary and the City contributes the same amount. Social Security benefits include retirement and disability payments and survivor's insurance. Other Important Benefits Employee Health & Wellness Center The City operates an Employee Health Center for its employees, which is used to treat job related injuries and illnesses which occur while employees are at work. All employees are required to have a pre-employment drug screening. Screenings of new employees are to be completed within the first two weeks of employment. Periodic health screenings that include vision, hearing, and blood pressure screening are provided and are required for certain departments. Wellness Program The City provides a comprehensive and innovative wellness program, Wellness for Life, to employees. Our wellness program is designed to help employees prevent disease and illness by lowering health risks through education, adopting healthy lifestyles, increasing the use of preventative medical screenings, and preventative health care. Our program also provides management for employees with diseases through work sessions and customized health strategies. Raleigh Employee Assistance Program (Reap) The City of Raleigh provides employees and family members with confidential counseling to help resolve problems that may affect their work or family life. Credit Union The Local Government Federal Credit Union is available to all regular employees. Employees must complete 6 months of continuous employment and be a Credit Union member before becoming eligible to obtain a loan. In order to keep your membership in the Credit Union, you must have a minimum of $25 on deposit. Savings and loans are insured in the event of your death. Worker's Compensation All City employees are covered under the North Carolina Worker's Compensation Act. This act covers those employees who suffer injuries as a result of an accident while performing duties. It will pay medical expenses and a portion of the employee's salary if the individual is out of work as a result of a work related disability. Tuition Assistance The City offers a Tuition Assistance Program to those employees who wish to further their education and training. An employee may receive financial assistance up to $1,250 per fiscal year for courses relating to their present job or future position with the City. Part-Time Regular Employees Regular part-time employees who work at least 20 hours or more per week are eligible for the City's benefit package. These benefits include: Medical, Dental, and Life insurance (employee pays on prorated basis) Vacation, Sick, and Holidays (earns and is charged on prorated basis) Additional Sick Leave (employee must work the full-time equivalent of the years of service required in order to receive benefit) Petty Leave (6 hours per year) Retirement Plan (employee participates in both NCLGERS and Supplemental Plans; City contributes also) City of Raleigh Credit Union Part-time regular employees are not eligible for: Award for Service (Longevity) Tuition Assistance Employee Service Awards Firefighters If you become a firefighter for the City, you are eligible for all of the benefits listed under the "Regular Full-Time Employees" section of this summary. However, the eligibility for a reduced early retirement benefit under the N.C. Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System is different than the eligibility for a regular full-time employee. (See below) N.C. Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (NCLGERS) Firefighters are eligible for a full unreduced retirement benefit after they: Complete 30 years of creditable service at any age Reach age 60 and complete at least 25 years of creditable service Reach age 65 and complete at least 5 years of creditable service Firefighter are eligible for a reduced early retirement benefit after they: Reach age 50 and complete at least 20 years of creditable service Reach age 55 and complete at least 5 years of creditable service Police Officers Law enforcement officers are eligible for all of the benefits listed under the "Regular Full-Time Employees" section of this summary except for the benefits shown as follows: N.C. Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (NCLGERS) Police Officers are eligible for a full unreduced retirement benefit after they: Complete 30 years of creditable service at any age Reach age 55 and complete at least 5 years of creditable service Police Officers are eligible for a reduced early retirement benefit after they: Reach age 50 and complete at least 15 years of creditable service Special Separation Allowance for Law Enforcement Officers As a law enforcement officer, if you retire on a service allowance (i.e., 30 years of service at any age or age 55 with at least 5 years of service, you may be eligible for a monthly separation allowance payable until you reach age 62, or until you return to any employment with the local government if a LGERS retiree. Other conditions also apply. Contact Human Resources for details, since the City is responsible for making all determinations of eligibility and for making these benefit payments when you retire. Temporary/Seasonal Employees and Interns The City employs temporary and seasonal employees and interns who generally are scheduled to work on a short-term basis. However, if you are hired as a temporary or seasonal employee, or as an intern, you are not eligible for the City of Raleigh's benefits package as described in this summary. 01 Please select your highest level of education completed. Some high school High school diploma (or GED) Some college Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree PhD or other professional degree 02 How much relevant work experience do you have in this field? None Less than 1 year 1 to less than 2 years 2 to less than 3 years 3 to less than 4 years 4 to less than 5 years 5 to less than 6 years 6 to less than 7 years 7 to less than 8 years 8 to less than 9 years 9 to less than 10 years 10 years or more 03 How many years of benefits administration experience do you have? None Less than 1 year 1 to less than 2 years 2 to less than 3 years 3 to less than 4 years 4 to less than 5 years 5 to less than 6 years 6 to less than 7 years 7 to less than 8 years 8 to less than 9 years 9 to less than 10 years 10 years or more 04 Please explain your experience with benefits administration. 05 Do you have experience with self-funded health plans? Yes No 06 Please explain your experience with leave administration. 07 Do you have PeopleSoft experience? Yes No 08 Do you have a valid North Carolina driver's license (or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)? Yes No Required Question Agency City of Raleigh North Carolina Address 222 W. Hargett St. Raleigh, North Carolina, 27602 Website