HR Benefits Manager

: JobID: 2503 Position Type: Human Resources Date Posted: 1/13/2024 Location: Central Office Date Available: ASAP Title: Benefits Manager Department: Human Resources Reports To: Senior Director of Human Resources FLSA Status: Exempt Work Year: Full Time/12-Month Updated: 1/2024 DISTRICT 97 EXPECTATIONS All District 97 employees are expected to:

• Support all aspects of a student's development (social/emotional, academic, physical, artistic expression) through caring and respectful relationships
• Take collective responsibility for providing equitable opportunities and supporting learning environment for students
• Maintain positive relationships with students, parents/guardians, and staff

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The Benefits Manager serves as the initial point of contact for licensed employees' issues and inquiries related to benefits, leaves of absence, and workman's compensation. The Benefits Manager tracks and maintains all personnel-related records, prepares local, state, and federal reports, assumes responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources Department for employees, researches and prepares information for use during collective bargaining, and supports the Senior Director of Human Resources. Licensed employees include all OPTA, OPTAA, OPESP, and SEIU members as well as administrators and staff considered as educational support personnel according to the Illinois School Code. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: SPECIFIC TASK AREA: BENEFITS

• Prepares benefits communications for websites and newsletter publications ensuring all staff members are accessing and understand available benefits.

• Promote an ongoing wellness campaign for all employee groups.

• Prepares benefits packets for new employees.

• Processes all benefits paperwork to ensure full and accurate completion of all documentation.

• Answers questions and conducts informational sessions for staff on benefits, FMLA, leaves of absence, disability, and other areas related to the Department of Human Resources.

• Partner with community businesses to create a list of area businesses that will offer discounts for District employees

• Plan, coordinate, and implement a variety of District events such as public displays and community booths, school supply drives, and business partnerships

• Prepares annual work calendars for each employee category.

• Maintains a system for personnel records for educational support personnel to they are comprehensive, efficient, and accurate.

SPECIFIC TASK AREA: COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND INSURANCE

• Conducts new employee orientations to ensure employees gain an understanding of benefit plans.

• Assures that benefit plan communications are comprehensive, accurate, and understandable.

• Coordinates with Senior Director of HR in conducting open enrollment meetings and in communicating benefit plan changes.

• Processes enrollments and changes in benefits and maintains accurate employee benefit plans, insurance files, and beneficiary designations.

• Reconciles monthly insurance invoices and payments to enrollment census from carriers and to payroll deduction records.

• Maintain files and track retiree extended insurance benefits.

• Assists employees with the resolution of employee benefit plan claims.

• Attends all meetings and takes minutes for the Benefits Committee.

• Coordinates and administers COBRA for all licensed staff.

SPECIFIC TASK AREA: RECORDS AND REPORTS

• Enters new employee information and maintains Human Resource Information System records and compiles reports from the database as needed.

• Manages all leaves of absence.

• Maintains personnel files for all employees in compliance with legal requirements.

• Prepares state and federal reports as directed.

• Assists in gathering information, compiling reports, and assembling confidential information for use during Collective Bargaining.

• Researches and prepares reports for collective bargaining and assists in the data collection and preparation related to negotiating agreements, including (1) preparing cost analyses; (2) redlining bargaining proposals; and (3) reviewing proposed contract language.

• Prepares personnel related reports for other District 97 departments as needed.

• Act as Payroll Liaison for all licensed staff ( leave balances, deductions, benefits, etc.)

SPECIFIC TASK AREA: OTHER SERVICES

• Reports accidents, submits invoices and monitors claims for District's Worker Compensation for all District 97 staff. (alternate - organize and monitor all records pertaining to Workers' Compensation claims and work with the Finance Department to ensure appropriate compensation.)

• Assists in planning of regular meetings of the Human Resources Department and serves actively to improve communication, cooperation, and planning.

• Supports the Senior Director in administrative efforts; keeps him/her informed of important developments and events; and seeks the Senior Director's counsel or decision as necessary.

• Supports the Senior Director of Human Resources in collective bargaining, particularly with regard to formulating, determining, and effectuating proposals.

• Assumes other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Human Resources.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Customer service oriented
• Marketing skills
• Basic knowledge of human resources areas including leaves, benefits, and workers' compensation.
• Handles confidential information discreetly and professionally.
• Ability to exercise appropriate initiative and work independently.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent computer skills (running reports, data entry, spreadsheet management, file management, and word processing.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, tasks, and timelines at the same time. Ability to use discretion and exercise sound judgment.
• Critical thinker and problem solver.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a constantly changing environment.
• Ability to maintain a cooperative nature under stressful business situations. Possess an above-average ability to relate individuals to names and situations. Ability to meet deadlines.

EDUCATION, CREDENTIALING and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or Related Field, preferred
• Two years related experience and/or training, preferred

EVALUATION: The Senior Director of Human Resources reviews performance annually.

PHYSICAL ABILITY JOB REQUIREMENTS

Not Important Desirable Essential Critical Walking, standing, climbing stairs X Seeing - Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception. X Hearing X Speaking X Lifting/carrying objects weighing 5-25 lbs. X Lifting/carrying objects weighing over 20 lbs. X Pushing/pulling carts, dollies, etc. X Climbing ladders, scaffolding, etc. X Regularly working at assigned site(s). X Driving a car, van or truck on public roads or highways. X Proofreading and checking documents for accuracy. X Using a keyboard to enter, retrieve or transform data. X Dealing with employees, suppliers and/or customers in high-stress situations. X Conducting performance reviews with employees who report to you. X Disciplining and when necessary, discharging employees. X Working in an area that is somewhat uncomfortable due to noise, drafts, etc. X Working in a confined area for 2+ hours at a time. X Working in an area that is very unpleasant due to temperature, odor, noise, etc. X Operating heavy equipment and/or performing other very hazardous duties. X Looking at a computer screen/reading data on a PC. X Revised: 01/2