Human Resources Specialist - Benefits & Retirement

Salary: $66,559.45 - $86,089.08
FLSA Status: Non-exempt (overtime pursuant to Human Resources policy)
Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

About the Role

The position provides comprehensive support for the Benefits and Retirement team. Responsibilities include assisting with Open Enrollment by drafting employee communications, running OE reports, and responding to employee inquiries. The role is responsible for administering the workers' compensation program and serves as the benefits subject matter expert in Workday. Additional duties include supporting the administration of the defined pension plan and the 401(a) plan, assisting with complex benefits-related questions, and providing benefit support to both active employees and retirees.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Benefits Administrator in the administration of benefits programs, including healthcare, retirement, health and wellness.
• Assists with the design, configuring, testing, implementation, and maintenance of retirement and/or benefits in Workday.
• Oversees the enrollment processes for new hires and retirees into the correct benefit plan based on eligibility criteria.
• Calculates, reconciles, and audits invoices, eligibility for retirement, dependent eligibility, and pension calculations.
• Consults and advises new hires, employees, and retirees on availability and eligibility for healthcare and retirement options.
• Communicates with employees, retirees, former employees, and vendors about benefit programs, procedures, changes, and government-mandated disclosures.
• Assists in the administration of Worker’s Compensation, Americans with Disabilities Act, and leave of absence processing.
• Consults with legal counsel, as necessary, on benefit and retirement-related issues.
• Researches and resolves employee and retiree issues to ensure proper administration of plan member benefits for all applicable plans.
• Manages and maintains information systems, including Workday, to support benefit and retirement processes.
• Investigates and assists to resolve issues impacting employees in enrollment to eligible programs.
• Supports the day-to-day activities of Human Resources Assistants assigned in the same program area.
• Collaborates with the Benefits Administrator to support Macomb County’s open enrollment process, drafts communication material, updates Workday, attends meetings, processes changes, and meets with employees and retirees as needed.
• Prepares and completes monthly reports as needed for the Retirement Board and leadership team.
• Serves as the liaison to the Macomb County Retirement Board and Defined Contribution Advisory Board including attendance at all meetings.
• Oversees and calculates the process of employee payoffs when employees are retiring or exiting employment with Macomb County.
• Manages projects as related to healthcare benefits and retirement programs.
• Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Business Management, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of benefit or retirement administration experience.
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Business Management, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field.
• Previous administration experience in the fields of retirement, leave of absence, and/or workers' compensation.
• Ability to effectively speak, write, and understand a language other than English.

Knowledge

• Public sector benefit and retirement programs.
• Macomb County Employees Retirement System Ordinance.
• Human Resources policies, procedures, and processes.
• Affordable Care Act (ACA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Workers’ Compensation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), and other benefit-related acts and federal laws.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other laws and policies regarding confidentiality.
• Various computer systems, including Workday, Precision, ADP, Gallagher, vendor systems, Onbase, and Microsoft Office.
• Database applications and report writing, data mining, and collection for operational review.

Skills

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with staff and the public.
• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work for program staff and activities.
• Exercising independent judgment and initiative in analyzing problems and making recommendations.
• Conflict resolution.
• Organization and time management.
• Analyzing benefit data and making appropriate recommendations.
• Making decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and established policies and procedures.
• Speaking and presenting information to audiences in a clear, concise manner.
• Performing moderate to high-level administrative-related duties with a high degree of accuracy.
• Understanding and carrying out oral and written direction.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Working in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign.
• Effectively speaking, writing, and understanding the English language.
• Understanding and carrying out oral and/or written instructions.
• Accurately organizing and maintaining paper documents and electronic files.
• Working independently.

Work Environment & Conditions

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Office or similar indoor environment: Frequently/Continuously
• Individuals who are hostile or irate: Occasionally
• Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: Occasionally

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): Occasionally
• Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding, and platforms: Occasionally
• Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: Occasionally
• Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: Occasionally
• Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): Frequently/Continuously
• Lift/Carry/Move Objects up to 10 pounds: Occasionally
• Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: Occasionally
• Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): Occasionally
• Sitting in a seated position during task performance: Frequently/Continuously
• Standing in an upright position without movement: Occasionally
• Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: Occasionally

Benefits

Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage with no monthly premium to employees for single, two-person, or family coverage. Health care, dental, and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.