City of Norfolk, VA

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications.

In support of approximately 9,000 members and their dependents, the Norfolk Healthcare Consortium (compromised of the City of Norfolk, Norfolk Public Schools and Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing) provides high quality healthcare benefits at an affordable cost.

The Norfolk Healthcare Consortium Team (Consortium) is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Benefits Specialist, under the general supervision of the NHC Benefits Operations Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day support of benefits administration and retirement benefits. Performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for the daily benefit processing to include enrollments, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, medical and dental insurance, life, accident and disability, and retirement, etc.
• Answer benefit questions, research specific questions, and respond verbally or in writing as necessary.
• Processes and reviews benefit information ensuring that information is properly entered into the payroll/benefit system and staying informed of changes to benefit programs.
• Implements new and approved benefit plans and changes by preparing announcement material, booklets, and other media as well as conducting employee meetings for communicating new plans or changes to employees.
• Conducts employee benefit orientations, Annual Enrollment briefings and ensures employee understanding of benefit programs by regularly generating communication and counseling employees/dependents as situations arise.
• Resolves employee complaints related to benefit plans. Handles benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution.
• Acts as a resource for employees to ensure their understanding and compliance with benefit and HR policies and regulations.
• Keeps management advised of potential problem areas and recommends/implements solutions as appropriate.
• Monitors, administers, and communicates with employees matters regarding Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountabilities Act (HIPAA) and other federal and state laws ensuring compliance.
• Completes testing on benefit processes and reporting functionality related to, regular system updates/enhancements, and provider implementations as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

A Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources/Benefits, Business Administration, or equivalent in education and experience.

One year of experience in employee benefits and/or HR administration or related field preferred.

Additional Information & Requirements

Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) , Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Group Benefits Associate (GBA)/Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred.

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.