What are the responsibilities and job description for the Benefits Specialist position at City of Wauwatosa?
Position Overview
The City of Wauwatosa Human Resources team is hiring a full-time Benefits Specialist! The Benefits Specialist plays a key role in the administration of the City’s benefits and wellness programs and initiatives.
The full salary range for this position is $74,859.20 – 95,659.20, with starting salary determined on qualifications and professional experience. The City of Wauwatosa provides an excellent benefits package, on-site employee health clinic, on-site fitness centers, meaningful work, and more! Employees will be automatically enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a pension plan to help provide for financial security during retirement, which consists of employer and employee required contributions.
The Benefits Specialist will work primarily at Wauwatosa City Hall and may work at different City locations on occasion. A hybrid schedule with flexibility to work remotely no more than two days per week may be available after successful onboarding into the position.
Essential Functions
The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Partners with the Benefits & Wellness Manger to administer the city’s benefits including group health, dental, vision, flexible spending, life insurance, EAP, workplace clinic, and 457(b) deferred compensation.
- Implements wellness initiatives and programming and coordinates logistics.
- Ensures accuracy of employee and retiree benefit records. Conducts audits, reconciles vendor invoices, generates reports and analyzes data.
- Supports benefits enrollment initiatives, including annual open enrollment, new hire enrollment, qualifying life events and retirement.
- Assists with development of communication and education materials related to the city’s benefit and wellness offerings such as benefits guides, enrollment instructions, benefit highlights, training materials and program marketing.
- Performs as subject matter expert regarding benefits and provide benefits education, information, and assists in resolving issues
- Supports compliance initiatives, policies, notices, and reporting. Stays current on federal, state, and local regulations impacting employee benefits.
- Implements various HR processes and systems related to benefits administration.
- Provides support on other Human Resources functions and projects as necessary.
Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or related field required.
- Three to five years of Human Resources experience in a medium to large size organization with strong benefits experience.
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:
- PHR/SPHR Certification or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP Certification preferred.
In order to perform the functions and responsibilities of the position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential.
- Understanding of benefit laws and regulations, including ACA, HIPAA and COBRA.
- Ability to maintain high level of professionalism, confidentiality and customer service.
- Strong analytic and problem-solving skills and high attention to detail.
- Ability to build strong professional relationships with leadership, supervisors, employees and vendors.
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks with competing deadlines.
- Strong professional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Technical proficiency in relevant applications such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), as well as HR related databases and reporting programs.
- Commitment to continuous process improvement.
In evaluating candidates for this position, The City of Wauwatosa may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.
Additional Information
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, twist and reach. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is also regularly required to talk and hear, in person, in meetings and by telephone. They will need to interact with city management, employees, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees and the public; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to safely lift and carry up to 10 pounds occasionally.
Work Environment:
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. An employee in this class generally works in a standard office environment with exposure to individuals who may be agitated, angry, or highly emotional.
The employee must have the ability to work at different City locations on occasion. A hybrid schedule with flexibility to work remotely no more than two days per week may be available after successful onboarding into the position.
Salary : $74,859 - $95,659