HR and Benefits Administrator

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Branch is one of the state's largest employers with over 42,000 employees that span eleven (11) secretariats and 70 agencies. From Accountants to X-ray technicians with hundreds of titles in between, we are one employer with many career opportunities. The Commonwealth is looking for leaders, thinkers, creators and innovators. We are a diverse workforce that reflects the diverse population that we serve.

The mission of the Human Resources Division is to attract, develop and retain a high performing workforce in order to ensure the delivery of constituent services across the Commonwealth.

Job Description:

The Human Resources Division (HRD) is looking for a highly motivated, personable, organized and talented human resources professional for its HR Operations Unit. The HR Operations Unit (“Unit”) at HRD is a fast paced and growing department within the Human Resources Division. Specifically, the Unit oversees and manages HR administrative functions, processes and procedures for the Human Resources Division (HRD), the Office of the Governor (GOV), the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (ANF), Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), and the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (ALA), with plans to expand our service model. Reporting to the Human Resources Director, the HR and Benefits Administrator serves as subject matter expert on the processing of all personnel actions, including serving as the Workpartners liaison regarding leave management.

The HR and Benefits Administrator assists the Human Resources Director in providing guidance and expertise to employees on all aspects of HR, leave management, time and attendance and Benefits to all staff. The HR and Benefits Administrator ensures that all personnel transactions processed through the Commonwealth’s HR and Leaves applications comply with the Human Resources Division (HRD) policies and procedures.

The candidate must have the ability to understand, apply, and explain provisions of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Strong administrative and communication skills are a necessity. The candidate must possess strong customer relations and organizational skills.

Detailed Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Helps support the HR Director in various aspects of human resources management, absence and leave management, time and attendance and Benefits administration.
• Analyzes requests from employees in conjunction with the HR Director for changes in benefits, enrollments, and eligibility.
• Working knowledge of HR processes, time and attendance, FMLA, leave absence management, workers’ compensation, non-medical leaves, and Benefits policies and procedures.
• Processes personnel actions relative to employee leaves and other HR transactions, updating records in accordance with laws, policies and contractual requirements required by the Commonwealth using HRCMS (PeopleSoft application), OnBase, MassCareers (taleo based application), Commonwealth Information Warehouse (MS Access), Absence Tracker, Workpartners for leave administration and other related applications ensuring accuracy and follow through.
• Assists HR Director with new hire onboarding, including conducting new employee onboarding orientation in order to ensure that new personnel are processed in a timely manner.
• Complete and submit Employment Verifications in a timely manner.
• Ability to provide guidance to all employees on human resources policies and procedures to recommend the appropriate course of action under the direction of the HR Director.
• Monitors the onboarding process in MassCareers to ensure a streamlined process for all stakeholders in collaboration with recruitment.
• Liaison for various Commonwealth agencies and other stakeholders such as the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), Comptroller’s Office, State Board of Retirement, SMART Plan, Workers’ Compensation, Workpartners, TASC, mandatory training compliance, etc.
• Knowledge of benefits including, but not limited to health insurance options, flexible spending plans, dependent care assistance programs, short and long term disability plans, Extended Illness Leave Bank (EILB), deferred comp, benefit related employee deductions, and Leave Management, etc.
• Participates in and supports special projects as assigned.
• Has the ability to work both independently and as a contributable team member.
• Performs other duties as required.

Duties within Leave of Absence Management:

• Responds to employee inquiries regarding leave requests, including medical and non-medical leaves and day-to-day absences.
• Communicates expanded benefits available for employees under PFML (the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave).
• Serves as a point of contact and collaborator for all absence and leave management, including medical leaves with Workpartners (the Commonwealth’s absence and leave management administrator).
• Works to identify eligibility for coverage under the law, including any future mandates.
• Liaison with the Department of Family Medical Leave (DFML) and Workpartners to provide employee information, as requested.
• Utilizes the Absence Tracker system to verify all medical leaves of absence reported and approved by Workpartners and DFML (if applicable) and ensures compliance within HR/CMS. Communicates with employee and manager throughout process, from leave onset to return to work.
• Verifies that employee timesheets are coded correctly and ensures that employees are paid accurately while on leave.
• Work with and collaborate with Workpartners on employee leave requests.
• Perform quality assurance on all requested leaves for use of correct time coding and hours/days of eligible leave time.
• Participate in other leave administration duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to interpret collective bargaining unit contracts.
• Extensive knowledge of FMLA, PFML and other leave benefits.
• Knowledge of the various rules and regulations contained in collective bargaining contracts.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations to ensure compliance in the Commonwealth’s applications for HR and Benefits.
• Experience in generating reports from MS Access such as the Commonwealth Information Warehouse (CIW).
• Knowledge of the onboarding process using MassCareers (Taleo based application).
• Proficiency in Human Resources Analytics.

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!