Human Resources Consultant 1 - Benefits

Description

Columbia Basin College ('CBC' or the 'College') seeks a team-oriented Human Resources Consultant 1 (HRC1) to help administer the College’s employee benefits and wellness programs. The ideal candidate will assist employees in meeting their health and financial goals by monitoring and determining benefits eligibility, and will administer benefit programs requiring detailed knowledge of medical, dental, life, long-term disability insurances, deferred compensation programs, and multiple state-sponsored public employee retirement plans. The HRC1 works independently within established guidelines, rules, and policies. This position reports to the Director for Benefits & Wellness.

This position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by April 24, 2023 @ 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

As a condition of employment, Classified staff must be fully vaccinated. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status, having an approved medical accommodation, or having an approved religious accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation. Need more information? Please contact covidvaccinemandate@columbiabasin.edu .

Primary Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefits plans, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement plans, as well as other optional employee benefits;
• Perform data entry to process new enrollments, changes, and terminations in applicable database systems, including PeopleSoft, PAY1, DRS, TIAA, etc.; coordinate benefit changes with payroll to ensure proper deductions are taken and process adjustments as needed; reconcile monthly benefit and retirement statements;
• Present information at new employee benefit orientation sessions, conduct exit interviews, and facilitate retiree transitions; arrange for individual meetings as necessary in order to help employees understand the College’s benefit programs and processes;
• Assist with on-campus workshops and other benefits-related events, including annual open enrollment, benefits fairs, and advising sessions for individual retirement plans, wellness initiatives, etc.;
• Act as a benefits consultant, handling complex issues requiring specialized benefits knowledge, and escalate cases to the Director for Benefits & Wellness when necessary;
• Interpret plan policies, coverage documents, procedural requirements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements;
• Receive, evaluate, and respond to inquiries from employees and the general public, providing information and assistance on employee benefits;
• Process reports and compile information related to employee benefits, including requests for information from the State Board; maintain accurate records and files to ensure accuracy of data reporting;
• Remain informed on industry trends, best practices, and emerging issues and their potential impact on the College’s benefit administration; and
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited college or university; and
• One (1) year of relevant work experience in benefits administration, human resources administration, or a closely related field.

OR

• Equivalent combination of education and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities for this position;

AND

• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel, to create, edit, and format documents and spreadsheets, including advanced features such as formulas, charts, graphs, and pivot tables to analyze and present data effectively.

Skills & Abilities

Analytical Skills : Synthesize complex or diverse information; collect and research data; use intuition and experience to complement data; design work flows and procedures;

Attendance/Punctuality : Is consistently at work and on time; ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrive at meetings and appointments on time;

Computer Skills : Proficient in Microsoft Suite; operate personal computer with general understanding of application software; ability to learn office and College-specific software;

Customer Service Skills : Manage difficult or emotional customer situations; respond promptly to customer needs; solicit customer feedback to improve service; respond to requests for service and assistance; meet commitments;

Grammar : Proficient in spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and writing skills;

Oral Communication : Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings;

Organization : Ability to organize projects, prioritize work flow, and complete multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately;

Problem Solving Skills : Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully; develop alternative solutions; work well in group problem solving situations; use reason even when dealing with emotional topics;

Professionalism : Ability to approach others in a tactful manner; react well under pressure; treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accept responsibility for own actions; follow through on commitments;

Quality : Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; look for ways to improve and promote quality; apply feedback to improve performance; monitor own work to ensure quality;

Self-Motivated : Must be a self-starter and have the abilities and knowledge to maintain task efficiency, meeting all time lines and deadlines; and

Written Communication : Write clearly and informatively; edit work for spelling and grammar; vary writing style to meet needs; present numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This position is a twelve (12) month, full-time, classified staff position. The position is overtime eligible and the typical work hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; however, must be available to work a flexible schedule when prior notice is given by the College. This position is available immediately.

PROCESS NOTE:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

**Please note that selected interview candidates will be subject to supplemental testing that will measure skills and abilities related to this position (e.g., Human Resources, Benefits, Communication, Analytical Skills, MS Office Simulation [Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word], Customer Service, etc.).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Columbia Basin College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.

If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.

Columbia Basin College operates under an approved affirmative action plan and encourages applications from persons of color, women, veterans and persons of disability. The Human Resources Office is accessible to those with disabilities. If you need accommodation in application or employment, contact the Human Resources Office at (509) 542-4740.

OTHER JOB ELEMENTS:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met and may be encountered by an incumbent when performing the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility including having the ability to move materials on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc. and travel between buildings on campus. Manual dexterity and coordination are required to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.



WORKING CONDITIONS:

Usual office working conditions. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.