"Benefits Specialist (Human Resources)"

Full job description

The Human Resources Department is seeking a talented individual to fill the Benefits Specialist (Human Resources) position. The successful candidate will administer the employee benefits program for West Valley-Mission Community College District employees.

Comprised of two colleges, West Valley College and Mission College, we are located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Our staff and faculty are among the most qualified in the state and our students appreciate our two colleges for our friendly staff and supportive atmosphere.

Under the direction of the Operations Supervisor, the Benefits Specialist will provide expertise, skill and knowledge related to the administration of employee benefits (active and retired), including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and life insurance. This includes the full scope of administration including open enrollment and vendor relationships.

Applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and life experiences to address the cultural and educational needs of a diverse student population are encouraged to apply.

Assignment

100% of full time, 40 hours per week, 12 months per year, with an anticipated start date of May 2024. Schedule may change to include some evening or weekend hours, as needed. This position is a member of the Confidential Employee Unit.

Work Location: The West Valley-Mission Community College District office is located on the campus of West Valley College, Saratoga, CA. The Human Resources department also maintains an office on the campus of Mission College, Santa Clara, CA.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range:

• $8,398.00-$9,173.67 monthly (Confidential Employee Salary Schedule, Range 49, Steps A-C).

Benefits include:

• Employer-contributed medical, dental and vision for employee, spouse and dependents.
• Employer-paid long term disability for employee.
• Employer-provided life insurance.
• 14 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday annually; paid non-workdays between Christmas and New Year.
• 22 days vacation leave accrued annually (24 days after 7 years)
• 12 days sick leave accrued annually.
• Personal necessity leave and personal business leave.
• Educational growth incentive program from $45 to $225 monthly.
• $1000 longevity award annually after 10 years of service and $1,500 longevity award annually after 15 years of service.
• CalPERS retirement.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Understanding of, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.
• Education: Equivalent to an Associates degree from an accredited college with major coursework in human resources management, general education, or a related field.
• Experience: Two years of responsible experience similar to Human Resources Specialist I with the West Valley-Mission Community College District.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following desired qualifications:

• Five plus years of knowledge and experience in administering a benefits program for active and retired employees.
• Experience working with online enrollment, tracking, and plan administration systems.
• Knowledge of and experience working with the Affordable Care Act, bargaining unit contracts, and outside consultants.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of personnel policies and procedures.
• Principles and practices of educational organization and administration.
• Human resources information systems programs.
• Federal and state employment laws; federal and state laws pertaining to areas of assignment.
• Collective bargaining processes, workers compensation, leave management, ADA accommodation processes and investigation techniques.
• Tools, methods and techniques of technical recruitment and selection processes; benefits administration; classification and compensation plans; records management.

Ability to:

• Learn and perform technical and specialized duties in assigned human resources areas.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently review work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe, identify and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures; understand, interpret and explain department policies and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds or less.
• Read, interpret and explain pertinent rules, regulations, laws and bargaining unit contract language.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records.
• Perform basic mathematical operations; make arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately.
• Exercise discretion and tact in resolving confidential, difficult or sensitive issues or situations.
• Maintain and manage various human resources databases; train staff and faculty in use of on-line resources as needed.
• Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Operate and use modern office equipment including computers and applicable software.
• Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
• Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Relate effectively with people of varied academic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds using tact, diplomacy and courtesy.
• Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and collaborative working relationships with others.
• Review, proofread, and analyze complex documents and make recommendations to solve administrative problems.
• Recognize program needs and develop strategies to implement more efficient systems and procedures.
• Perform complex and detailed technical work, including arithmetic calculations with independence.
• Accurately analyze and enter data into a human resources system and other databases or record systems.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, prioritize, and coordinate the work of staff assigned to one human resources functional area; develop schedules and methods to accomplish assignments ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Read, process, provide and coordinate confidential information related to the Districts employer employee relations, collective bargaining negotiations, and/or employee grievances.
• May schedule collective bargaining negotiation meetings, attend negotiation meeting, provide input and/or take notes; print copies and upload final approved documents to the website.
• May support faculty who are being transferred and facilitate the interactive process to meet ADA accommodation requirements; may coordinate workers compensation and leave administration district wide; may perform investigations including interviewing and data collection.
• Interpret rules and regulations, contracts, policies and procedures, make recommendations for compliance and process improvements, and applies such interpretations and recommendations in the performance of assigned responsibilities.
• Provide technical assistance to employees and human resources management on issues related to assigned responsibilities.
• Conduct surveys and compile data; perform research and statistical analysis, coordinate programs or special functions or projects, and prepare related reports, manuals and policies.
• Coordinate with the finance department to maintain the districts position control.
• Respond to requests for information from employees and/or the general public over the phone, in person and e-mail regarding a variety of human resources programs and services, may support multiple units.
• May act as the administrator for the department specialized software programs, including the human resources module of the payroll/Human Resources Information System (HRIS) software; assist in developing application of specialized software to improve employee access of employment data.
• Assist with, or coordinate, the day-to-day operations of the districts employee benefit and insurance plans, including coordinating and monitoring paperwork related to COBRA, Department of Transportation, Department of Motor Vehicles pull notice and other programs, may be point person taking primary responsibilities for specific areas assigned; assist retirees with benefit plan issues and reconcile premium reimbursements.
• Verify personnel action documents related to employee status changes, including new hires, salary increases, promotions, transfers, separations, specialty pay and input data into the automated human resources system; audit data for accuracy.
• Coordinate, or assist with the coordination of, recruitments, which includes creating the job announcement, posting job announcements on-line, preparing advertisements and targeted outreach materials for mailings, scheduling and coordinating written exams and first level interviews, preparation of first level and other testing materials, creating eligibility lists and developing letters for the candidates.
• Assist with the pre- and postemployment processes for new hires, to include scheduling of preemployment medical examinations, scheduling of, or conducting, new hire orientations with higher level staff, preparing new employee benefit package and hire letters mailed to new employees.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other district employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust and respect.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation and communication.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

EEO STATEMENT

West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ a diverse workforce who will contribute to an inclusive and welcoming educational and employment environment. The District is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, ancestry, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, language, accent, citizenship status, transgender status, parental status, marital status, economic status, military or veteran status, and medical condition consistent with applicable federal and state laws.