Job DescriptionTITLE: Assistant Benefits Manager CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS: Under the direction of the Benefits Manager, assists in the administration and coordination of the Chicago Park District's employee and retiree benefit programs, including health insurance, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, and EAP. Coordinates benefit enrollment activities, vendor relationships, billing reconciliation, records administration, and employee and retiree communications. Provides guidance to employees, retirees, and benefits staff on program requirements and procedures. In the absence of the Benefits Manager, assumes responsibility for day-to-day benefit administration operations. Performs related duties as required.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: - Administers employee and retiree benefit programs, including health insurance, dental, vision, FSA, basic life insurance, and EAP.
- Coordinates open enrollment, qualifying life event processing, and retiree benefit transactions; reviews transactions for accuracy and resolves discrepancies with staff, vendors, Payroll, and Finance.
- Provides direction to benefits staff on day-to-day work priorities and processing procedures.
- Responds to employee and retiree inquiries regarding eligibility, enrollment, required documentation, premium payments, and related benefit matters.
- Coordinates with insurance brokers, consultants, and benefit vendors to resolve enrollment, billing, coverage, and service issues.
- Reviews disputed benefit enrollment and claims issues and gathers information to support recommended resolution.
- Prepares and distributes benefit communications, notices, open enrollment materials, and retiree benefit information.
- Reviews benefit billing, premium payment records, COBRA payments, and vendor invoices for accuracy; tracks and processes payments to benefit program vendors.
- Maintains benefit records and ensures timely, accurate updates to employee and retiree benefit data in applicable systems.
- Monitors benefit administration workflows and recommends process improvements to improve accuracy, timeliness, and system utilization.
- Develops and maintains internal procedures, guidance documents, checklists, and training materials for benefits staff.
- Supports compliance with applicable federal and state law, including COBRA, HIPAA, and FMLA; assists in preparing benefit program reports and expenditure summaries.
- Tracks legal, contractual, and system changes affecting benefit administration and escalates issues as appropriate.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Training and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources Administration, or a directly related field, plus three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration or human resources administration, or an equivalent combination of training and experience, is required.
Experience administering employee or retiree benefit programs, coordinating benefit enrollment activities, resolving benefit issues, working with benefit vendors, and maintaining benefit records and systems is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: - Considerable knowledge of employee benefits administration principles and practices, including health insurance, dental, vision, FSA, and life insurance programs.
- Working knowledge of COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and other applicable federal and state requirements governing employee and retiree benefits.
- Knowledge of benefit enrollment and records administration procedures, vendor coordination, and billing reconciliation processes.
- Ability to provide staff direction, set work priorities, and support day-to-day operational needs of the benefits function.
- Ability to resolve employee and retiree inquiries, interpret benefit policies and eligibility requirements, and recommend resolution of disputed benefit matters.
- Skill in preparing reports, correspondence, benefit communications, and management summaries.
- Proficiency with applicable computer software and human resources information systems.
- Ability to maintain confidential records with accuracy, manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, and work effectively with all levels of staff and management.
- Ability to run, analyze, interpret health benefit cost and utilization reports.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed primarily in an office setting, in a smoke-free environment, with controlled temperature and fluorescent lighting. Duties involve regular use of a computer, telephone, filing systems, and other standard office equipment. The employee may occasionally need to move within the office or to meeting locations, reach, bend, retrieve and file records, or lift and/or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Travel to citywide Park District facilities, events, and meetings may be required.
EQUIPMENT: - Standard office equipment (e.g. telephone, printer, photocopier).
- Laptops, computer, and peripheral equipment (e.g. personal computer, computer terminals, hand-held computer, modems, scanner).
BENEFITS: As a full-time Chicago Park District employee, eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
- 13-20 days of paid vacation time annually (13 days in first year of employment).
- 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
- 4 paid personal days per year.
- 13 paid holidays per year.
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave (upon meeting FMLA eligibility).
- Pension plan through the Park Employees' and Retirement Board Employees'
- Annuity and Benefit Fund, a system covered by the State of Illinois' Reciprocal Act.
- Deferred Compensation Program - voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
- Optional pre-tax programs - Transit
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.
- Free Admission to most Chicago museums.
Rate of Pay: $84,000/ annually
Non-Union EEO: Professional FLSA: Exempt
