City Of Philadelphia Office Of Human Resources

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2H49

BENEFITS SPECIALIST

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General Definition

• This is advanced performance level employee benefits work. Employees in this class are subject matters experts on the City’s benefits plans and regularly offer consultation to employees and City HR professionals regarding options, requirements, restrictions and procedures in the various benefits plans. These employees are accountable for accomplishing major aspects of projects such as the annual open enrollment, proposal solicitation and review, etc. with minimal direction and oversight. Employees participate in the analysis of demands and the development of proposals during the collective bargaining process. Employees regularly contact vendors and consultants to appropriately resolve problems and are supervised by the City’s Benefits Administrator.

Allocating Factors:

(The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

• Positions must work in the Office of Human Resources.

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Typical Examples Of Work (Illustrative Only)

• Track and monitor trends in benefit enrollments, delivery systems and costs for reporting and recommendation of benefit program modifications.
• Provides citywide services to departments and employees for several benefit programs such as health plans, life insurance programs, unemployment compensation, and/or secondary placement of disabled employees.
• Supervises support staff as needed to accomplish assignments or in the absence of a higher level supervisor.
• Address day-to-day benefit inquiries from department managers and employees on matters involving, but not limited to, enrollment, eligibility, claims and explanation of coverages for all fringe benefit programs.
• Handle all aspects of COBRA benefit administration.
• Assists in the development of requests for proposals and criteria to evaluate benefit proposals.
• Develops/revises employee benefit communication materials.
• Provides instruction/training for departmentally-based HR staff in eligibility requirements and enrollment processing.
• Develops administrative methods and procedures to implement new or revised benefit programs.
• Reviews and validates invoices and process payments for assigned benefit areas.
• Resolves difficult benefit problems for assigned areas through contacts with providers, departmental personnel, finance officials and others.
• Assists in open enrollment processes, including compiling communications and presenting to departmental managers program and plan options.
• Assist in the City’s employee health management and worksite wellness efforts.
• Defines, communicates and ensures provision of resources needed for successful and timely completion of projects
• Develops project plans and manages time and resources to ensure timely completion of projects
• Participates in the implementation and/or modification of benefits related human resources information systems to meet business needs.
• Develops and administers training programs to support benefits administration.
• Compiles and analyzes data and writes a variety of reports to support the City’s benefits programs.
• Provides consultation to department managers regarding employee benefits.
• Utilizes a variety of computer software to collect and analyze information and prepare reports and graphic exhibits
• Performs a variety of special assignments as needed.
• Performs related work as required.

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Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge Of:

• Benefits Administration
• Internal Revenue Service rulings, Federal and State laws related to benefits administration
• Basic Statistics
• Project management tools and techniques
• Payroll and financial systems as related to benefits processing, payroll deductions, taxable/non-taxable benefits, etc
• Use of personal computers and relevant software packages and applications comparable to MS-Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Skill In:

• Project Management
• Problem solving
• Interviewing
• Narrative report writing
• Use of software tools to track and analyze data and report results
• Oral and written communication

Ability To:

• Learn collective Bargaining and City labor contracts
• Learn the structure and functions of City departments
• Learn the Home Rule Charter and Civil Service Regulations
• Interpret and explain City benefits plans
• Resolve problems appropriately and in compliance with relevant benefits plans, contracts and policies.
• Direct the activities of other staff as needed to complete projects.
• Interact effectively with peers, superiors, department managers and employees and union officials.
• Maintain a high level of integrity with regard to the confidential nature of the position.

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Minimum Acceptable Training And Experience

(The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 6/11)

Education

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university that has included major course work in health insurance and risk management, business administration or human resources administration. AND

General Experience

• Three years of full-time benefits administration or analysis experience.

OR

• any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that includes completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Physical And Medical Requirements

1. Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

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PAY RANGE:

EP21

• Class Established:

  • CSC: 5/11, Ad Board: 6/11

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End Of Job Class Specification - 2H49