"Benefits Coordinator"

Job Description

In addition to the salary, this position qualifies for the choice of one of the Districts excellent Health Benefits and Welfare plans, which the premium cost is 100% paid by the District for the employee and their eligible dependents, and one health plan costing an estimated $60,000 for the District for fiscal year 2025-2026. We offer two medical plans (Anthem Blue Cross [PPO] and Kaiser Permanente (HMO)); dental (Delta Dental PPO); vision (VSP Choice); life insurance for the employee (The Lincoln); life insurance for eligible dependents (The Lincoln); a long-term disability/income protection plan (The Lincoln); and an employee assistance plan (Anthem EAP).

In addition, the District contributes an additional 26.81% of the employees salary towards an eligible employees pension (CalPERS).

Employees may also elect to participate in optional plans including purchasing additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible dependent(s); enroll in a medical, transportation, and/or dependent care Flexible Spending Account(s) (with the $4 monthly administrative fee paid by the District); and set pre-taxed dollars aside to supplement their pension in a 403b (tax shelter annuity) and/or a 457 (deferred compensation) plan(s).

Managers, Supervisor and Confidential employees earn 22 days per year of vacation, up to 12 sick leave days and 6 administrative leave days. There are currently 20 paid holidays.

Position Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Benefits Coordinator is a Confidential position and will report to the Director of Human Resources at the District Office. The work schedule is 12 months per year; Monday – Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

POSITION PURPOSE

Under general supervision, the Benefits Coordinator performs professional, technical and a variety of complex technical and specialized duties in the areas of employee benefits administration and employee relations; coordinates, develops, and evaluates the Districts health and welfare programs and assists employees with selection and use of plan benefits; administers the Districts benefits plans, workers compensation and employee leaves; ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and coordinates worker accommodations; liaises with vendors, third-party administrators, health insurance plan providers; reviews, approves and prepares vendor invoices to be processed for payment; participates in labor negotiations; may lead projects and provide lead-level guidance to all employees, Human Resources staff, and student workers; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Benefits Coordinator is distinguished from other classes in the series in that incumbents require specialized and in-depth knowledge of benefits administration including health plans, various types of insurance, retirement programs, workers compensation and leaves administration.
Incumbents assigned to the classification are exposed to sensitive collective bargaining information and materials during the negotiating process and are designated as a Confidential classification.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below exemplify the work of the classification and assigned duties may include work that is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Oversees and participates in the day-to-day operations and service delivery of the Districts benefits program including medical, dental and vision care insurance, employee assistance program, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD) insurance, and programs mandated by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).
2. Counsels and educates current employees and eligible retirees on the various aspects of available benefits programs and with understanding routine to complex benefit enrollment, usage and change processes and rules; provides general information on issues related to health plans in retirement; holds trainings and workshops to ensure employees understand and utilize benefits.
3. Coordinates and conducts the annual open enrollment process; prepares and distributes benefit enrollment information; prepares and presents workshops to explain new and available benefits options and plan changes to employees; updates the Human Resources Benefits website; coordinates enrollment in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), adding new enrollees and checking status of employee accounts.
4. Assists employees complete forms including those requiring additional information; compiles benefits orientation materials and presents benefits orientation to new employees; organizes the collection of enrollment forms and other paperwork; answers questions and disseminates information on health benefits and other standard and voluntary benefits.
5. Processes requests for enrollment of new employees and eligible existing employees with qualifying events; transmits information to carriers and third-party administrators and assists employees and their dependents resolve benefits enrollment/coverage issues.
6. Participates in collective bargaining negotiations and meet-and-confer meetings with employee groups; collects and analyzes benefits usage and cost data for use in regular meetings with the union and in formulating negotiations proposals; administers labor agreement provisions; serves as a resource to managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements; maintains and updates benefits documents, forms, and Human Resources Information System(s) (HRIS) post negotiations as needed.
7. Monitors and administers employee leaves and absences in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, health department mandates and other applicable laws and collective bargaining agreement provisions pertaining to employee leaves including those related to Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), parental leave, extended sick leave, military leave, and workers compensation; works closely with Payroll to coordinate, track and administer employee medical leaves.
8. Administers the Districts workers compensation program; serves as first point of contact in work-related injuries; provides required claim forms and refers injured workers to designated providers for evaluation and treatment; serves as liaison between the District and third-party administrators for claims administration, medical providers and employees; ensures non-industrial claims are properly scrutinized and investigated; monitors and tracks workers compensation leave usage; collaborates with third-party administrators, District Human Resources administration, and/or legal counsel regarding settlements.
9. Provides appropriate and timely notices to employees regarding their rights, obligations and, if necessary, payroll status; discusses options with employees unable to return to work as their leave time nears exhaustion; files benefits-related information in employee benefits files; maintains spreadsheets with benefited employee data for communication and tracking; maintains separate confidential medical and workers compensation files.
10. Facilitates reasonable accommodation determinations by interacting with employees, their super-visors, and District Human Resources administration, and coordinating the interactive discussion process for ADA/FEHA and workers compensation accommodation requests; coordinates and documents work restrictions and facilitates discussions related to accommodations and modified duties; coordinates employee return to work with employee and supervisor.
11. Serves as a department liaison with Information Technology Solutions and Services (ITSS) for the benefits module in the HRIS; ensures accuracy of employee records, codes, deductions (pre- and post-tax) and data in HRIS and compliance with collective bargaining agreements; processes and ensures accuracy of rate changes, taxation changes, and benefits updates and tests in HRIS system; participates in resolving data transfer issues to third-party providers; represents the department at meetings and in discussions regarding system changes/problems and makes recommendations for improvement.
12. Ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements including provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), contractual agreements and collective bargaining agreement requirements; ensures accuracy of data and collaborates with ITSS to generate and submit mandated reporting.
13. Represents the District and liaises with health insurance provider; coordinates with the Districts broker and attends meetings to present information on any benefit plan/cost changes under consideration; coordinates health insurance vendor payments; verifies eligibility, calculates monthly bills, calculates fiscal amount owed and ensures timely payments; works closely with third-party administrator to ensure receipt of monthly payments for retiree health and COBRA benefits.
14. Leads and coordinates staff in Districtwide studies and in developing and applying new methods and processes to achieve higher efficiency and quality in department work processes; participates in scheduling, assigning and monitoring work of other employees for completeness, accuracy and conformance with District standards; provides information, instruction and training on work processes, proper uses of equipment and safe work practices.
15. May represent the department or serve on committees; attends District, local, regional, state and national conferences, meetings, workshops and training seminars as directed.
16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

1. Policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to benefits administration, workers compensation and leaves administration in a public sector organization.
2. Employee relations principles and practices.
3. Labor relations principles and practices, including negotiation and contract administration.
4. Research methods and analysis techniques.
5. Advanced operational knowledge of HRIS as it relates to benefits and leaves tracking and system auditing.
6. Mathematical and/or statistical analysis and techniques.
7. Federal, state and other applicable laws and regulations and District policies and procedures governing human resources including applicable sections of the California Education Code, HIPAA, ACA, ADA, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
8. Principles, practices, methods and techniques of program analysis and planning and management as applicable to assigned area.
9. Practices and techniques of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
10. Board Policies, Administrative Regulations, Accrediting Commission for Community & Junior Colleges Standards, Human Resources procedures and collective bargaining agreements.

Skills and Abilities to:

1. Coordinate and implement assigned benefits program, services, policies and guidelines.
2. Understand, interpret, explain and apply District, state and federal policies, laws, regulations and court decisions governing the Districts benefits program administration including case law, Board Policies and Administrative Procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
3. Organize, coordinate and participate in the day-to-day administration of the Districts pre- and post-tax benefit plan offerings.
4. Understand, interpret, explain and apply complex insurance, benefit plan, leave and workers compensation laws, regulations, contract provisions, policies and procedures.
5. Represent the District and negotiate effectively with other District employees, vendors and third-party administrators.
6. Consult effectively with administrators and supervisors to develop solutions to difficult organizational and people-management issues.
7. Evaluate benefits program and make sound recommendations for improvement.
8. Research, collect and analyze accurate and relevant data and facts from multiple sources and through investigations.
9. Demonstrate excellent writing, training and presentation skills.
10. Maintain confidential and administrative records and files.
11. Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines.
12. Provide accurate and timely reporting and accountability.
13. Build and foster knowledgeable, cohesive and effective work teams.
14. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
15. Operate a computer, assigned office equipment and standard business applications; utilize HRIS, payroll and reporting systems for entering and extracting data and reports.

Required Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with course work in human resources management or a related field.
2. Three years of increasingly responsible experience in human resources or benefits administration.

Districts Diversity

• Demonstrated sensitivity, knowledge and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural, disability, and ethnic background of groups historically underrepresented, and groups who may have experienced discrimination.
• Success integrating diversity as appropriate into the major duties outlined in the job description and in the duties listed in the Districts hiring policy; or demonstrated equivalent transferable skills to do so.

Desired Qualifications

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience working at a higher-education institution is preferred.
2. Experience with complex Human Resources Information System operation.
3. Ability to travel to other District campuses and locations.

Foreign Degree

For positions that require a degree or coursework:

Degree(s) must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of Education.

All degrees and credits earned outside of the United States must have a U.S. evaluation (course by course) of the transcripts and must be submitted with the application.

Degrees earned outside of the U.S. without a U.S. credential evaluation attached, will not be considered.

Working Environment

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Employees work under typical office conditions, subject to frequent interruption and to intermittent exposure to individuals acting in a disagreeable fashion. The employee may be required to travel to locations other than the assigned work site, and occasional evenings, holiday and/or weekend work may be required.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this class, employees are primarily in a stationary position and are required to move about the office to access office machinery, files, etc.; perform constant computer operation and other communication and office equipment; observe details at close range; and move/lift up to 10 pounds.

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to accurately communicate information and other ideas so that others will understand using written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work; work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work independently and under intensive deadlines; and interact with District managers, staff, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

About San Jose/Evergreen Community College District

The District is represented by dedicated and talented employees who are passionate about providing our student population with the best educational experience possible. The District recognizes that cultural diversity in the academic environment promotes academic excellence; fosters cultural, racial and human understanding; provides positive roles models for all students, and creates an inclusive and supportive educational and work environment for its employees, students, and the community it serves.

As of Spring 2024, with enrollment of approximately 15,655 students per semester, and an extremely diverse student population (Hispanic/Latino 45.20%, Black/African-American 3.45%, Asian/Pacific Islander 31.70%, American Indian/Native American 0.36%, White/Caucasian 12.76%) attaining educational goals reflecting 56% – Transfer to a 4-Year College/ University, the Districts emphasis on student success makes it a recognized educational leader in the State.

The District encourages a diverse pool of applicants to serve as colleagues to an existing diverse group of managers, supervisors and confidential staff consisting of 34.2% Hispanic/Latino, 26.0% Asian/Pacific Islander, 6.8% Black/African American, 17.8% White/Caucasian, 1.4% American Indian/Native American and as well as encouraging applications from all qualified, outstanding applicants.

Important Information

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT:

San José-Evergreen Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, language, accent, immigration status, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, transgender, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, and physical or mental disability consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

CONTACT:

Employment Services,
Human Resources, SJECCD
40 S. Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 270-6414
Email: hremploymentservices@sjeccd.edu
Employment Website: https://sjeccd.peopleadmin.com
District Website: www.sjeccd.edu

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Interested applicants MUST SUBMIT ONLINE ALL of the following materials by the First Review Date/Closing Date as listed on the job announcement. Applications received after the First Review Date will only be forwarded to the hiring committee at their request.

1. A completed online San José-Evergreen Community College District APPLICATION.
2. A COVER LETTER (Stating how you feel you meet the qualifications as outline in the job announcement).
3. A current RESUME/CURRICULUM VITAE
4. TRANSCRIPT – (If Required) If a degree is listed as a requirement, transcripts (Not Diplomas) MUST INCLUDE confer or award date of stated degree. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted; however if the position is offered, official transcripts will be required prior to employment. If the transcripts or degrees are from outside of the United States, an official certification of equivalency to U.S. degrees by a certified U.S. credential review service (course by course of the transcripts) MUST also be submitted. (See below for a list of suggested services that provide foreign degree equivalency evaluation to U.S. degrees).
   Note: Some positions may require additional documents and/or certificates, in addition to the items listed above. Please refer to the job announcement.

OTHER APPLICANT INFORMATION:

1. Only complete application materials will be considered. No exceptions.
2. Letters of Recommendation are NOT required and will not be forwarded to the hiring committee.
3. Upon hire the successful candidate must provide the required documents of identity and authorization to work and attest he/she is authorized to work in the United States.
4. Application materials become the property of the District and will not be returned or duplicated.
5. Travel expenses to attend the interview are the responsibility of the candidate.
6. Meeting the minimum qualifications does NOT assure an interview.
7. The District may re-advertise, delay, choose not to fill the position, or choose to fill more than one position.

Suggested services that provide foreign degree equivalency evaluation to U.S. degrees:

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc.
Website: http://www.acei-global.org/

Education Records Evaluation Services
Website: www.eres.com

International Education Research Foundation
Website: http://www.ierf.org/

World Education Services
Website: www.wes.org