Salary: $31.15 – $41.75 Hourly
Location : 12725 Millikan Way Beaverton, OR
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: FY23/24-00833
Department: Human Resources
Division: Human Resources Employee Services
Opening Date: 07/14/2023
Closing Date: 7/31/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
The Position
The City of Beaverton is seeking a dedicated Human Resources professional to be our next Benefits Specialist-a collaborative and customer-service oriented person who will go above and beyond to ensure our employees receive outstanding support and guidance with their benefits.
The HR Benefits Specialist is part of an 11-person HR team that provides outstanding employee care and services to the City of Beaverton’s 600+ employees. The Benefits Specialist is responsible for all non-salary compensation programs, including health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, and leave programs. For more information on Beaverton’s employee benefits, please visit our
Our ideal candidate:
- Has exceptional interpersonal skills. The ability to empathize, actively listen, and provide clear, concise, and accurate information to employees regarding benefits inquiries is essential to this position.
- Provides excellent customer service and has experience handling complex and sensitive benefit issues with tact and diplomacy.
- Is detail-oriented and highly analytical: accuracy matters when it comes to processing benefits data, and analytical skills are crucial for ensuring compliance, identifying areas for improvement, and providing timely and accurate reports to stakeholders.
- Is technologically adept and eager to learn new skills or technologies that will improve efficiency and the employe experience.
- Collaborates seamlessly with cross-functional teams, vendors, and other partners, and builds effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Looks for opportunities to innovate and lead: The benefits landscape is constantly changing, as are employee expectations and technology tools.
- Approaches benefits with an eye for inclusion: Our employes have a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and needs.
This is a full-time, non-exempt, Management 3 (M3) position. There is one vacancy. The classification is Human Resources Specialist.
Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Beaverton’s online portal. You will need to fill out your work history and respond to several supplemental questions. A resume and cover letter are not required; please include all related experience in the application.
Responsibilities
Employee benefits
- Coordinate employee enrollment in benefit plans and programs, including employee communication and education and coordination with payroll.
- Plan and organize the annual Open Enrollment process: develop and publicize materials and make sure employees have current and accurate information to complete their enrollment.
- Review proposals, contracts, and policies from insurance carriers and other benefits providers.
- Maintain effective working relationships with all benefit plan vendors, working with them to problem-solve when necessary and resolve questions around plan provisions.
- Coordinate and track eligibility for return-to-work initiatives, such as SB 1049.
- Ensure that changes in benefits eligibility are determined and tracked in a timely way and that notifications are delivered promptly. This includes family status changes, COBRA compliance, and communication with retirees and COBRA participants about Open Enrollment and other benefit changes.
- Process Personnel Action notices and other tracking related to benefits.
Leave coordination and management
- Administer leave requests under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) including providing guidance to supervisors and employees.
- Work with the HR team and the Risk and Safety Officer on issues related to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specifically as it relates to employee absence benefits (FMLA/OFLA/Paid Leave Oregon).
- Ensure employee medical records files are maintained correctly.
Employee wellness
- Assist with the city’s Wellness committee and support activities that promote employee health and wellness, including the annual wellness fair and the employee wellness incentive program.
- Work with wellness vendors to coordinate activities and address questions and concerns.
Professional competencies
- Respond to general inquiries and provide general assistance with Human Resources policies and procedures.
- Provide general support for Human Resources programs and functions, including policy development, budgeting, and evaluation.
- Additional duties outlined in the classification.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Associate’s Degree in Human Resources, business, public administration, or a related field; and
- Four years’ experience administering employee benefits; or
- An equivalent combination of education and experience enabling the incumbent to perform the essential functions of the position.
Licensing and special requirements
- Valid driver’s license and the ability to meet the city’s driving standards.
- Ability to pass reference checks and education verification, and satisfy the requirements of a background check, including fingerprints and a pre-employment drug screen.
The City of Beaverton is committed to supporting a culture of accountability, equity and inclusion for all, especially marginalized groups. We pledge to continue the ongoing, difficult and essential work needed to address institutional racism and historical inequities in all forms.
Beaverton is a diverse city, boasting a large population of qualified persons, including women, veterans, Black, Indigenous and people of color, persons with disabilities, generational groups, persons who speak many languages and are of diverse national origins.
Studies have shown that many candidates, especially women, are less likely to apply for a job if they do not believe they meet 100% of the hiring criteria. The city’s talent acquisition goals include hiring the candidate who is best able to meet the performance objectives of the role. We therefore encourage persons with non-traditional skill sets and experiences to apply, even if you believe you do not meet 100% of the qualifications and hiring criteria described.
Compensation
Wage range: $31.15 – $41.75 hourly
Starting rate will be determined depending on relevant work experience as outlined in the Equal Pay Act. New hires who meet minimum requirements will start at step one. Higher steps may be offered to those who have additional years of directly related experience to the position within the posted wage range.
Total compensation package and benefitsIn addition to competitive pay, the city offers a wide variety of benefits to regular employees which make up an exceptional total compensation package.
The city pays the full retirement contribution to PERS including the employee portion; provides employees with an opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation retirement plan; makes available a public service loan forgiveness program and tuition reimbursement program; and offers excellent health, dental, vision and life
Additional benefits include excellent , PTO cash out options, wellness programs and incentives, a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA with 3% employer contributions, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and bilingual pay premiums.
City of Beaverton Compensation Break Down
Gross cash compensation
Starting stepStep 1Step 4Step 7Yearly salary$64,799.04$75,020.28$86,848.68
Estimated benefits paid by the city – Non-cash compensation
Public Employees Retirement System fully-paid contributions for employee $3,401.95$3,938.56$4,559.56Medical & Dental Insurance – Max city contributions for employee +1 (dollar value)$25,284.96$25,284.96$25,284.96Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA; 3% contribution$1,943.97$2,250.61$2,605.46No-cost TriMet public transportation pass (dollar value)$1,200.00$1,200.00$1,200.00Total estimated non-cash compensation/benefits$31,830.88$32,674.13$33,649.98
Total salary and estimated non-cash compensation value$96,629.92$107,694.41$120,498.66
The City of Beaverton provides a generous benefit package, including excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage; and employer-paid PERS retirement. Learn more about your options and employee-based benefits by clicking the link below.
01
What is your highest level of education?
- High School Diploma or GED
- Some College
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree or higher
- None of the above
02
How many years of experience do you have working in employee benefits administration?
- Less than 2 years
- 2-3 years
- 4-5 years
- 6-9 years
- 10+ years
- None of the above
03
Do you have a valid driver’s license and ability to meet city driving standards?
- Yes
- No
04
Describe your experience using Excel (or a similar program) to perform calculations, analyze data, and produce reports.
05
In lieu of a cover letter, please share why you are interested in this position and how your life or work experiences have prepared you for this role.
Required Question