Employee Benefits Manager

UNCLASSIFIED POSITION IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in human resources, accounting or a related field required; supplemented by five years of experience in payroll benefits and/or pension administration including progressively responsible supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Valid State of Georgia Driver's License (as required by position). Certification issued by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Group Benefits Associate (GBA), Retirement Plans Associate (RPA), or Compensation Management Specialist (CMS); or the American Payroll Association as a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is preferred.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Examination:
The examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application. Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education and experience as listed to be rated as qualified. If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/course work used to qualify for this position.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. WE DO NOT ACCEPT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AFTER APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to manage operations of the Benefits, Payroll and Pension units in the Finance Department. Responsibilities include overseeing work of staff administering benefits programs and payroll processes for active and retired employees, beneficiaries and dependents and serving as a liaison to other departments and agencies regarding employee benefits program issues. This classification is distinguished from Employee Benefits Supervisor in that this class manages and provides general administration over the Payroll, Employee Benefits, and Pension Programs, whereas the latter manages assigned staff in addition to overseeing the daily operations and activities of these programs.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Manages development, implementation, financial status, and effectiveness of employee benefits plans: manages/administers self-funded health, dental, and vision programs, group life insurance, Long Term Disability programs, and various supplemental and optional benefit offerings for active and retired employees and their dependents; monitors and analyzes financial stability, program activities and compliance issues; ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations; performs/coordinates audit processes; performs research and makes recommendations; manages open enrollment processes and vendor acquisition and transitions; markets employee benefits plans and develops communication materials; and prepares and presents agenda items to Board of Commissioners.

Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff: makes hiring, promotion and/or termination decisions; develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; establishes workloads and prioritizes work assignments; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and senior management; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures.

Oversees administration of payroll processing and issuing of checks for active and retired employees: monitors and analyzes payroll activities to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations, policies and procedures; manages payroll processing functions including garnishments, tax levies, direct deposit, W2 processing, State and Federal tax payments and return tax filings, various payroll deduction programs such as Marta, Union Association dues, Legal Services, Purchasing Power, etc.; developed and maintains payroll system master tables, database analysis and statistics; resolves staff escalated payroll-related; and prepares and presents payroll related agenda items before Board of Commissioners.

Oversees administration of the County's comprehensive Pension Program: meets with and coordinates directives of governing boards; conducts research and implements pension program activities; performs and coordinates audit processes; prepares financial and other analytical reports; resolves pension-related compliance and customer service issues; evaluates, recommends and implements program improvements and legal mandated changes; compiles annual valuation data collection for plan actuaries coordinates election processes for Pension Board seats; reviews and monitors plan assets; and responds to legal inquiry data requests and testifies in court.

Participates in acquisition of benefit, payroll, and pension vendors, administrators, service providers, and insured products: monitors effectiveness and makes recommendations for acquisition of professional services and products; manages activities of vendor service providers; serves as liaison for County-wide employee communications; coordinates with Payroll/Benefit representatives and department heads, committee assignments and prepares/makes presentations as required; and coordinates Division related training with Training Department.

Manages communication and educational campaigns for Benefits, Payroll and Pension programs and software utilization: develops and administers programs and campaigns in staff meetings, employee and retiree associations, and union meetings; researches and coordinates payroll system upgrade activities for Active, Pension and Elections payroll systems; and trains end users.

Develops and administers assigned divisional budget: monitors expenditures compliance with approved budget; forecasts budgetary needs for supplies, equipment, and staffing; and allocates approved resources.

Communicates with plan attorneys, actuaries, banking officials, employee educational vendor, Finance Department's Treasury and Accounting staff and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, genetics, disability or sexual orientation.

Employment Type: FULL-TIME