Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y? Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity…YOU!!!

This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
Language Incentive
Referral Bonus
Tuition Assistance Program

Description

The Human Resources Department’s mission is to support our customers in accomplishing their missions by attracting and retaining a highly skilled and diversified workforce that is compensated and rewarded for its effort in an equitable, safe and responsible work environment. Our mission is accomplished within existing resources, in an environment of change, with integrity, and in a manner that is consistent with the City’s policies, Code of Ethics, merit system principles, and federal and state laws. We are responsible for recruitment and testing, classification and compensation, training, benefits administration, and workforce relations.

The Benefits & Wellness Specialist will lead the retirement (Virginia Retirement System), optional life insurance, and basic life insurance programs. This role will focus on ensuring effective and efficient financial management of those programs, as well as provide support to employees. Ideal candidates will thrive in a fast-paced rewarding environment utilizing proficient skills in Excel, Benefits Administration, critical thinking, and problem solving to successfully manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

City of Richmond Core Values:

Community Centric Service; Unity; Respect; Innovative; Trust; Accountability.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to:

Work collaboratively with multiple external vendors to manage City of Richmond accounts (ex. Billing, Wires, Employee account updates) utilizing all vendor employer sites, with a focus on Virginia Retirement System.
Manage and reconcile large data sets (3000+) from multiple sources utilizing advanced Excel skills such as sorting, filtering, pivot tables, vlookup/xlookup, adding/subtracting cells, and formulas (ex. SUBSTITUTE / CONCAT / IF statements). Ability to demonstrate proficiency through an Excel assessment.
Diagnose problems, gathering pertinent information, and identify alternative solutions, follow-up with employees and leadership as needed to resolve issues.
Work with internal and external auditors to produce reports and materials needed for requests on a regular basis.
Ability to verify and ensure accuracy and validity of moderately complex benefits transactions. Ability to examine HRIS system records to assure adherence to standards and regulations.
Support organizational goals and initiatives related to automation and process improvements
Utilizes strong written communication skills / Microsoft Word to write and develops plans, policies, and procedures. Schedule meetings and track progress of priorities.

Duties include but are not limited to

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
Data analysis:

Complete benefit plan data audits, to include producing reports and providing summaries and details for system reconciliations
Oversight of reporting, administrative functions, plan eligibility and contributions of benefits programs
Lead on inbound and outbound integration files, wire transfers, file reconciliations, and file maintenance in collaboration with Finance, IT and Audit
Provide oversight and reporting for all plans, programs, and policies in compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
Complete complex benefits adjustments in the HRIS/Payroll system that directly impacts statement of earnings (adjustments / refunds).
Performs all additional related duties and responsibilities as required

Benefits Processes:

Collaborate on and lead processes related to pension and retirement benefits
Manage benefits plan components in accordance with ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other federal and state regulations
Oversee benefits programs such as basic life insurance, optional life insurance, and other benefits programs
Handles complex and escalated customer service issues, manages issue resolution
Conduct benefits information program sessions, provide estimates and coordinate all necessary correspondence with benefit providers and agencies
Manage relationships and activities of assigned plan vendors to ensure outstanding customer service and accurate and efficient administration in accordance with plan/program design and legal requirements

Program Management and Strategy:

Oversee SOP project focused on process improvement solutions, and engage in key projects/duties as assigned
Leverages technology to engage in automation projects to increase productivity and efficiencies
Communicate/present employee benefit information and plan changes to employees during Open Enrollment, New Hire Orientation, and life events
Support RFP processes for new benefits and vendors, as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

Retirement and pension programs
Budgeting and reconciliation of large complex data sets
Benefits promotion/advertising techniques
Human Resources / Employee Benefits
Microsoft Office Suite, with a focus on Microsoft Word and Excel

Skills (some combination of the following):

Research and analysis
Project management
Oral and written communication
Resourcefulness
Critical thinking and problem solving
Diplomacy and interpersonal communication
Public speaking/presenting to a diverse population

Abilities (some combination of the following):

Multi-tasking
Encourage and motivate others
Track and maintain multiple projects simultaneously
Function independently with minimal supervision
Listen attentively
Manage time effectively and complete priorities accurately and quickly
Pay attention to detail
Manage timelines and deadlines

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

5+ years of Human Resources experience with 3 years in the field of employee benefits
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or HRCI HR Certification (PHR/PHR) or SHRM HR Certification (SHRM-CP) preferred

PREFERRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

4+ years of experience in Benefits Administration
1+ years leading/supervising staff
Master’s degree in Human Resources; Business Administration; Public Administration; or a related field
Education in accounting, finance or math is strongly preferred, or training and experience equivalent.

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly finger, talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions; frequently walk; and occasionally stoop, reach, stand, push, pull, lift, grasp, and feel. The working conditions may contain environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be sedentary, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

* Internal use: HR Generalist to review.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Jessica McKenzie, Human Resources Manager by email at Jessica.McKenzie@RVA.GOV.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The City of Richmond Values Veterans. We are an official V3 Certified Company.

The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program.