Benefits Consultant

Salary: $65,656.00 - $103,277.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, 442 W. Washington Street, Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 04695
Department: HUMAN RESOURCES
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Description
Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical and professional work to assist with administration of the City's human resources programs. Work involves interpreting policies and regulations; providing information and assistance to employees and staff relating to the City's employment, training, benefit, compensation plans and wellness programs; leading projects related to the City's human resources program areas. Exercises professional tact and courtesy in frequent contact with citizens, employees and management staff and employs initiative and independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. This position reports to the Human Resources (Benefits) Manager.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides information and assistance to employees, retirees, supervisors, department managers, the general public or other localities regarding benefits and insurance plans/coverages.
• Assist with conducting new employee orientation.
• Reviews and reconciles vendor billing for health, dental, vision, optional life, legal, supplemental benefits (short term disability, long term disability, critical illness, and accident).
• Manages the VRS Group and Optional Life benefit plans.
• Verifies accuracy of enrollment data and resolves billing discrepancies with vendors.
• Assists in the coordination of Annual Open Enrollment.
• Provides and assists with completion of Disability and Service Retirement Applications.
• Provides backup to the Retirement Consultant with support and guidance related to VRS policies, procedures, and retirement benefits.
• Serves as backup to the VRS data entry process to include new hires, salary changes, terminations, status updates and leave adjustments.
• Responds to routine questions or complaints in person, by telephone, by mail, or by email.
• Enters benefit related information into the Human Resources information system and conducts daily audit to ensure accuracy.
• Processes Health insurance orders sent by Child Enforcement Agencies.
• Assists in special events for and on behalf of the Human Resources Department.
• Participates in the review of Request for Proposals and Bids for benefit services for employees.
• Ensures appropriate documents regarding benefits are updated and distributed to current and former employees as necessary.
• May serve as liaison between the workplace and referral resources.
• Attends meetings or functions on behalf of the Human Resources (Benefits) Manager; performs the duties and responsibilities of the Human Resources (Benefits) Manager in his/her absence as needed.
• Responsible for processing AP invoices in New World for vendor payments.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or Business Administration
• 2-3 years' experience in Human Resources field; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Strong emphasis in assigned area, a Human Resources Certification, and UKG experience preferred.
• Requires a valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of benefit plans offered by the City. Has knowledge of HR laws, regulations, and ethical standards. Strong understanding of HRIS systems, office practices, and basic accounting principles.
• Knowledge of general office practices, methods, and procedures used by the City.
• Knowledge of the City's organization and operational policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional standards and/or Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Skilled in the use of common office equipment, including computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, and file maintenance programs.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to make routine decisions independently in accordance with laws, regulations and City policies and procedures.
• Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural guidelines and to resolve problems and questions.
• Ability to develop and modify work procedures, methods and processes to improve efficiency.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) or data, people or things
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information; includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from supervisor.
• Ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, insurance claims, personnel records, applications, procedure manuals, forms, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, personnel records, schedules, insurance forms, logs, etc.
• Ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages, including personnel, legal, and insurance industry terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, interpret policies, and solve problems independently.
• Exceptional communication skills with tact, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain productivity, and navigate frequent interruptions.
• Experience with UKG is a plus.

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.

Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.

Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance
The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.
Optional Life Insurance
Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.
Funeral Leave
24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.
Holidays
Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jury Duty
Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.
457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA
Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.
Employee Assistance Program
Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.

Worker's Compensation
Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.

Pay Days
Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.
Credit Union
A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.
Legal Services
Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.
Notary Public Services
Services available in the Human Resources Department.

Alternative Work ScheduleFor some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.
01

Which of the following reflects your highest level of education ?

• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• No Degree
• Some college
• High school diploma or GED

02

Which of the following best describes your work experience in the Human Resources field or closely related business field?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 6 - 7 years
• 7 - 8 years
• more than 8 years

03

Do you have any experience working with Tyler Munis?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have any experience working with UKG?

• Yes
• No

05

Please indicate if you have any of the following HR certifications?

• IPMA-CP
• IPMA-SCP
• PHR
• SPHR
• SHRM-CP
• SHRM-SCP
• PMQ
• None
• Other

06

If you selected Other to the above question, please specify in the text box below:
07

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question