Human Resources Benefits Manager

Salary : $156,059.00 - $186,365.00 Annually
Location : General Office, Downtown Oakland, CA
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Job Number: 26-00274
Department: Human Resources & Employee Development
Division: Benefits
Opening Date: 10/09/2026
Closing Date: 10/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Summary
Under general direction, the incumbent has primary responsibility for all functions, activities, and staff of one or more organizational units within the Human Resources Department. Incumbents plan, organize, and direct assigned staff and activities; contribute to the development and implementation of policies, goals, objectives, and short- and long-range strategic plans; lead and coordinate complex, technical projects; and develop and administer the budget for the District's Benefits programs.
Representative Functions
As the Human Resources Benefits Manager, you will lead the District's employee benefits programs and a team committed to providing responsive and accurate service to employees throughout every stage of their employment.

• Manages, leads, mentors, and develops employees assigned to the Benefits function, fostering a high-performing team committed to responsive and effective customer service; oversees the administration of health and welfare benefits and other employee benefit programs; guides staff in achieving goals and objectives; coaches and develops employees; provides constructive feedback on performance and behaviors; reviews and evaluates work; and counsels and handles personnel actions, including discipline and grievance processes for direct and indirect reports, as needed.
• Participates in the development and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, work standards, policies, procedures, and short- and long-range strategic plans for the Benefits unit within Human Resources.
• Identifies opportunities to improve Benefits administration, service delivery, and business processes through technology, automation, and industry best practices; establishes performance measures for functional area outcomes; monitors and evaluates results; presents findings; and implements corrective actions to address identified issues.
• Develops, administers, and controls the budget for the assigned unit(s); ensures fiscal compliance; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; and directs the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments.
• In conjunction with the Legal Department and Labor Relations, interprets and communicates federal, state, local, and District laws, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to employee benefits and assigned Benefits programs.
• Develops and implements personnel rules and regulations and interprets and administers human resources-related provisions of collective bargaining agreements.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; and directs the implementation of change.
• Serves as a trusted resource to employees, managers, and District stakeholders on complex Benefits matters and program administration; confers with and serves as a resource to District departments on the planning, development, and implementation of personnel-related programs, projects, policies, and procedures; responds to difficult and sensitive inquiries; assists with resolutions and formulates alternative recommendations; and ensures the provision of responsive and effective customer service.
• Maximizes the capabilities of HR information systems and Benefits administration platforms, including electronic enrollment and employee self-service tools; analyzes processes, procedures, data, and workflows within assigned functional areas; conducts research and statistical analyses; and recommends innovative solutions to improve efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and the employee experience.
• Develops, implements, and administers large and/or complex research studies or projects related to assigned Human Resources programs and initiatives.
• Establishes collaborative relationships with Human Resources, Payroll, Labor Relations, Finance, vendors, consultants, and other stakeholders to support effective Benefits program administration; serves as a liaison for the assigned unit(s) to other District departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings as necessary; provides staff support to committees and task forces; and negotiates and resolves significant and potentially controversial issues.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to an assigned Director or Executive; develops and reviews staff reports related to assigned activities and services; may present information to the Board of Directors and various commissions and committees.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and District policies; stays abreast of changing laws, regulations, procedures, human resources best practices, and regulatory compliance requirements; and communicates business implications and impacts to key stakeholders, including the Board of Directors, executive management, District staff, and public and private entities.
• Presents written and oral reports on a wide variety of human resources-related issues and topics; develops and delivers Benefits communications, educational materials, and outreach initiatives to promote employee understanding and effective utilization of benefit programs and resources.
• May participate in labor negotiations and/or recommend preliminary proposals, including cost implementation projections.
• May be required to temporarily replace or act in the position of the senior District staff member to whom this position normally reports and may perform some or all of the senior staff member's essential functions in such situations.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field.

Experience:Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in human resources administration, labor administration, workers' compensation administration, disability management administration, or a closely related field, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Desired Qualifications and Competencies:

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Extensive experience managing comprehensive employee benefits programs, with a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated success leading, coaching, and developing professional staff and building a high-performing, service-oriented team.
• Strong knowledge of benefits administration systems, HRIS platforms, and electronic enrollment processes, with the ability to leverage technology to improve processes, enhance the employee experience, and increase operational efficiency.
• Experience leading organizational, process, or technology improvements related to benefits administration, with the creativity and curiosity to identify and implement innovative solutions.
• Experience working in a unionized environment and interpreting collective bargaining agreements as they relate to employee benefits.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills, including the ability to manage complex benefits-related initiatives.

Additional Information
Special Environmental Conditions:Must be willing to: (1) work outside regular business hours as required and (2) travel between the various District divisions.

Physical Requirements:Must maintain the physical condition necessary to: (1) perform tasks in an office setting operating a personal computer, keyboards, and other peripheral equipment; and (2) possess physical mobility in order to direct or conduct field studies, and attend external meetings and events.
THIS POSITION IS UNREPRESENTED AT WILL

The Selection Process: The Human Resources department must receive a completed online application by the filling date. If this recruitment is "Continuous," it may be closed at any time without notice. Applications will be screened for job related qualifications, and those candidates who best meeting the qualifications listed on this Job Announcement will be invited to participate in an examination process that may include written, oral and/or performance segments. Current District employees must have satisfactory attendance and performance records. Finalists will be placed on an Eligibility List. When filling vacancies, the Human Resources Department will refer the top candidates to the hiring department for final screening and recommendation.

Benefits: The transit professionals who call AC Transit home represent the rich cultural diversity of the Bay Area. For more than 60 years, we have been an equal opportunity employer honoring religion, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender expression, genetic information, disabilities, age, and veteran status. We are not only an inclusive employer but also offer a comprehensive benefits package rooted in choice, flexibility, and affordability. Most Benefits are effective the first of the month following your hire date. Employees and eligible dependents have access to the following benefits*:

• Medical - Choice of two Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): Kaiser Permanente and Health Net. $10.00 office visit co-pays; $5.00 - $35.00 prescription co-pays.
• Dental - MetLife Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) $50 annual deductible per person/$150 per family; $3,000 per person annual maximum; preventative care covered at 100%; basic and major care covered at 90%; $4,000 lifetime maximum orthodontia covered at 50%.
• Vision - Vision Service Plan - $10.00 copay; eligible for an exam, lenses, frames or contact lenses every 12 months - based on the last date of service. $200 frame allowance or $120 allowance for contact lenses.
• Employer paid Basic Life Insurance
• Employee paid Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, Transit
• AC Transit contributes up to $50.00/month towards an employee's FSA Transit costs
• Free AC Transit Bus Pass
• Federal Credit Union
• Vacation and Sick Leave or Personal Time Off
• Ten (10) paid holidays; 2 paid floating holidays; 1 paid birthday holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $2500 per fiscal year on approved courses
• Wellness Program

*AC Transit benefits are negotiated and subject to change based on collective bargaining agreements.

Pension: All AC Transit employees participate in a lifetime defined benefit pension. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2016, may be in the District's Tier II pension plan covered by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). As such, he/she may be required to contribute a small portion of annual income towards the cost of his/hers District pension.

Medical, dental, orthodontic, vision, and prescription insurance coverage for employees and qualified dependents; plus regular pension with a five (5) year vesting. Depending on length of service, up to six (6) weeks of vacation and up to twelve (12) days of sick leave per year. Holidays: eleven (11) per year. Free