Job Description
Responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the city’s employee benefits program. This pivotal role involves maintaining and enhancing the city’s competitive benefits package by designing and administering employee benefit programs that align with employee needs while ensuring fiscal responsibility.
This supervisory and professional position entails a range of administrative and technical responsibilities with oversight of benefits services. Key functions include managing, implementing, evaluating, and developing communication plans to effectively communicate all employee benefit programs, policies, and procedures of the City of Boca Raton. The Benefits Manager will administer benefit programs covering health, dental, life, and disability insurance, deferred contribution retirement programs, wellness and cost containment programs, COBRA and retiree insurance, insurance contract negotiations, and premium conversion programs.
Work involves fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment and providing consultative service to internal clients as needed. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Human Resources with use of independent judgment and the selection of work methods and procedures and applying professional techniques.
Essential Functions:
• Manages and coordinates daily operations of the benefits functions that includes health, dental, vision, COBRA, and other City benefits, including management of a benefit enrollment system.
• Analyze financial data including claims costs, expenditures, and program utilization; analyzes plans based on claims history, usage, services, and cost and makes recommendations to management for plan changes.
• Conduct regular benchmarking analysis and surveys to ensure our benefits offerings remain competitive and meet the needs of our diverse workforce.
• Keeps comprehensive understanding and proficiency in employee benefit plans, offers suggestions on upcoming legislative actions related to benefits, and performs research on benefit-related topics.
• Communicate benefits information to employees through production and administration of presentations, informational sessions, and written materials. Coordinate monthly information sessions with plan representatives and educational seminars. Ensure that employees understand their benefits and how to utilize them effectively.
• Participates in strategic planning for future benefit changes; assists in developing effective solutions and options; manages the implementation process of all changes and ensures the City complies of all regulations and requirements.
• Serve as the Plan Administrator for all 401a, 457b, and Roth IRA plans, managing the implementation of modifications to these plans. Conducts oral presentations to employee groups and management staff on retirement plans; Coordinate monthly information sessions with plan representatives and educational seminars.
• Design, develop, and administer the City’s Wellness Program; Conduct oral presentations to employee groups and management staff on the City’s Wellness Program. Manage budget of same.
• Ensures compliance with all State and Federal Regulations, the Affordable Care Act (Health Care Reform), collective bargaining agreements, and policies and procedures.
• Prepare Request for Proposal (RFPs), Request for Quotes (RFQs) and/or Bids for all Group Health lines of coverage and Broker/Consultant Services. Serves on Review and Selection committee for vendor proposals.
• Conducts surveys, research and various studies for enhancement, modification, and/or implementation of benefits programs.
• Identify necessary changes in business processes as well as HRIS configuration to ensure efficient and accurate workflow and the best utilization of system capabilities and department resources to fit the City’s best practices.
• Manage the annual open enrollment process, including preparation, communication, and assistance to employees.
• Performs personnel management duties such as managing and mentoring of the benefits staff, recommending hiring, discipline, and promotion of personnel; authorization and approval of leave/overtime.
• Performs related tasks as required.
Related tasks:
• Assist in the department’s annual budget preparation specific to Benefit plan administration.
• Assists with the preparation and review of vendor agreements related the city’s health insurance programs.
• Monitors all carrier and vendor agreements for compliance with City standards and related regulation requirements.
• Assists in preparation of back-up documentation for City Manager or City Council approval.
• Authorization of all loans, hardship withdrawals, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO’s), hardship withdrawals and beneficiary administration.
• Coordinates monthly information sessions with plan representatives and educational seminars.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
• Budgeting and financial forecasting related to benefits costs.
• Various types of benefits such as health, dental, vision insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, wellness programs, and employee assistance programs.
• Laws and regulations related to benefits, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and COBRA
Skilled in:
• Communicating both verbally and in writing to explain complex benefits information clearly to employees and negotiate with vendors.
• Managing multiple projects and priorities, and the ability to pay attention to details.
• The use of spreadsheet and database applications, data query tools, word processing software, electronic mail, and internet search tools.
• In the use of least one complex human resource and payroll computer based system (HRIS).
• Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Personnel management – effectively communicate, provide feedback, guidance, and clear expectations to varied professional level direct reports.
Ability to:
• Handle sensitive and confidential information ethically and professionally.
• Analyze data and use this information to optimize benefits program.
• Identify issues, review related information, develop, and evaluate options, and implement solutions.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and lead projects to successful completion.
• Lead and direct a team responsible for administering benefits, as well as managing vendor relationships.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with employees, insurance providers, and other stakeholders.
• Make informed decisions that consider the costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Adjust to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands, and deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
Job Requirements
Minimum and Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration, or related field is required.
• Supplemented by three (3) years of supervisory experience with increasing responsibility in Human Resources required.
• Possession of a valid State of Florida Class “E” driver’s license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Related Professional Certifications (CEBS, SHRM-CP or greater).
• Experience in the local government experience in the State of Florida
Additional experience is accepted as a minimum requirement in lieu of the postsecondary degree on the following basis: additional four (4) years in lieu of the bachelor’s degree, and additional two (2) years in lieu of an associate degree.
POST OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:
Final offer and employment are contingent upon successful completion of the following post-offer, pre-employment screening items:
• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Verification
• Education Verification
• Certification/License Verification (if applicable)
• Drug and Alcohol Screen
CITY & STATE
Boca Raton, Florida
JOB TYPE
Full-Time
COMPENSATION
($) 85000 - ($) 115000
COMPENSATION RATE
Per Year