Benefits Specialist I (Communications)

Under general supervision the position is responsible for designing, implementing, communicating, and ensuring compliance with comprehensive benefits and wellness programs for employees and retirees of Virginia Beach City Public Schools and the City of Virginia Beach. This position contributes to one of the Office of Consolidated Benefits' functional teams such as customer service and retirement counseling, enrollment and eligibility compliance, financial analytics and technical programming and reporting, communications, or wellness and prevention programming.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(These are intended only as illustrations of the several types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

Provide advanced support within the assigned functional team.
Navigate multiple benefit platforms and Human Capital Management systems to retrieve, interpret, and analyze complex data and reports in support of strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.
Develop and conduct presentations to include seminars, exhibits, orientations, and open enrollment-related events.
Maintain a high level of organization, handling multiple priorities and coordinating special projects as directed.
Development of guidelines and business processes.
Performs related work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Utilize advanced knowledge of cafeteria 125 benefit plan laws and regulations, as well as data privacy requirements (e.g., HIPAA, PHI, IRS tax shelter limits, HCE) to ensure compliance.

JOB SPECIFIC TASKS

Communications

Produce and edit video/audio content, including long- and short-form formats, with color correction and captioning.
Create and manage web content and platforms.
Abide by ADA standards when creating materials, ensuring accessibility compliance.
Design and distribute digital and print materials to support benefits and wellness communications.
Monitor social media content and engagement, and track digital metrics (e.g., surveys, web traffic, QR codes, and video analytics) to report on overall performance.

Compliance

Administration and compliance related to the Public Health Service Act (PHSA)/COBRA Continuation of Coverage, and employee leaves of absence.
Process advanced analysis of eligibility and enrollment for various benefit populations and qualifying life events.
Perform cyclical data reporting and analysis, manage eligibility, and prepare requests for payment corrections, mailings, and system updates as required for employees and retirees.
Oversee open enrollment planning, benefits platform testing, reporting, and communications.
Prepare and analyze 1095-C reports, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely submission.

Customer Service

Provide counseling and advanced customer service for employee benefits and retirement.
Provide accurate and detailed information to employees regarding benefits coverage, enrollment, eligibility, retirement savings plans, and plan design details, including retirement and disability retirement programs.
Document employee interactions and feedback within customer relationship management (CRM) applications.
Work as a liaison between benefit providers and employees.

Financial/Technical

Analyze and resolve data discrepancies and functional issues.
Design databases, tables, and queries for allocating and managing plan payments.
Perform data imports/exports from various sources and validate data for valuations, financial analysis, reconciliations, statistics, and ad-hoc reporting.
Perform technical implementations and testing involving personnel transactions affecting benefit plan rules, eligibility, and enrollment.
Initiate and monitor benefit-related payment requests in coordination with operational and finance teams.

Wellness and Prevention

Develop, plan, and execute wellness events, program offerings, and team projects.
Maintain relations with vendor representatives.
Perform data aggregation for program compliance using database applications.
Review, process, and reconcile invoices and billable tax reports.
Research and report on program deliverables.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of and ability to comply with laws, regulations, policies, agreements, plan documents and business processes governing employee benefits administration; health promotion and disease prevention; ability to develop independent and creative solutions to complex issues; utilize critical thinking to gather, compile and analyze data; perform technical skills and mathematical computations to complete complex tasks; demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and communicate effectively and professionally with internal and external contacts at all levels; collaborate in groups and perform public speaking; provide knowledgeable and empathetic customer service to educate and resolve difficult issues; perform multiple priorities with advanced organizational skills and attention to detail; provide leadership, confidentiality and accountability. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required: Associate's degree in health administration, public health, human resource management, communications, or related field. Four (4) years of experience in the related field, and experience navigating human capital management systems.

Additional Area Specific Requirements

Financial/Technical: Experience in programming and reporting within human capital management systems, data extraction from enrollment applications, and advanced database management.

Communications: Experience with video editing and graphics software, social media and streaming platforms, basic HTML/ CSS or related web scripting, site mapping, QR code creation, analytics tracking, and ADA accessibility standards.

A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public using the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Frequent sitting, walking, bending, grasping, fingering, repetitive motion, reaching, and driving. Occasional standing, Stooping, and crouching. Ability to lift up to 20 pounds frequently. Requires timely and regular adherence to established work schedules. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid driver's license and vehicle for transportation.

Ability to work an alternate summer schedule and work overtime as needed.

HOW TO APPLY

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