Employee Benefits Service Representative

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Human Resources Department (formerly known as the Personnel Department) provides support and administers programs and services to attract, develop, and retain a high performing, diverse workforce that is prepared to provide exceptional services to the City’s residents. Human Resources staff work with all City departments to perform outreach and recruitment, provide information about City employment opportunities, administer collective bargaining agreements and City employment policies, ensure that fair labor practices are followed, offer competitive benefits to employees and retirees, and foster a productive and inclusive work environment. The HR Department also strives to provide learning and development opportunities for employees, with particular attention paid to expanding on the City’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Under the direction of the Assistant Director/Benefits Administration and as part of the employee benefits team, the Employee Benefits Services Representative is responsible for providing essential administrative support to the Human Resources department, The employee in this role serves as a primary point of contact for incoming inquiries and requests and will play a pivotal role in record maintenance, addressing employee and retiree inquiries, and assisting with the management of various HR processes and procedures with a primary focus on facilitating the benefits administration process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Review and process group benefits transactions for City employees, retirees, and family members.
• Explain and provide administrative support on the City’s benefit programs (i.e. health insurance, dental & vision, life, COBRA, flexible spending accounts, long term disability, deferred compensation plans including OBRA, Employee Assistance Program, etc.).
• Advise employees/retirees regarding benefits policies and procedures.
• Assist employees/retirees with status changes.
• Collaborate with vendors to address and resolve employee benefit issues.
• Track employee benefits using the HRIS database, maintain benefits files, and assist with benefits surveys/analysis.
• Participate in Benefits direct pay status administration, open enrollments, Medicare reimbursement, and other benefits communications.
• Assist in the on-boarding of new employees, and the off-boarding of former employees/retirees.
• Performs related duties as required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or equivalent and 3-5 years of administrative experience, preferably in a human resources & benefits capacity; some college coursework in human resources or related field is a plus; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and multi-task
• Demonstrated skills in planning with a good knowledge of employee benefits functions, preferably in a public sector environment.
• Ability to work in a confidential environment as a reliable team member.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and negotiate priorities with multiple supervisors.
• Strong knowledge and experience using MS Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with diverse populations.
• Proficient with, or the ability to quickly learn payroll & benefits management systems, human resource information systems (HRIS), and similar computer applications.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing HR trends, technologies, and organizational needs.
• Multilingual skills in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, Mandarin, or any other language spoken by the Cambridge community preferred but not required.
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work requires the ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to read and analyze large quantities of information. Must have sufficient mobility to get back and forth from the office. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. May require minimal lifting of up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is conducted primarily in a standard office environment which includes fluorescent lighting, air conditioning, computers, and other standard office equipment, but may also involve meetings in other offices or facilities as well as site visits and inspections of scattered site properties around the city. This position is primarily an onsite role, requiring the successful candidate to be present at our office location during standard business hours.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick Leave eligible
• Paid Parental Leave
• Sick Incentive Pay eligible
• 3 Personal Days
• 14 Holidays
• Commuter Benefits (T-Pass reimbursement, Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)
• Management Allowance, $2,700 / year

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application.

• Resume
• Cover Letter