Program Manager - Benefits and Leaves

This position performs a variety of professional duties supporting the City's employee benefits and leave programs, serving as a primary employee-facing resource for active employees and retirees by providing hands-on assistance with benefits, insurance plans, leave policies, enrollment, eligibility, coverage, claims, and issue resolution while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.

Essential Job Duties

• Manage employee benefit packages, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plans, and leave programs
• Manage Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other leaves by assisting employees with the request, tracking, and return to work process
• Serve as a liaison between City employees, timekeepers, and leave of absence providers to ensure absences are tracked, coded, and paid appropriately
• Serve as a liaison between City employees and plan administrators, advising employees of policy provisions and claims procedures
• Troubleshoot and resolve employee issues and concerns by preparing required documentation, researching information, and assisting in resolving claims issues
• Ensure all benefit programs comply with federal, state, and local laws, including Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and Section 125
• Assist employees with completing enrollment forms and process enrollment forms including during the annual open enrollment period
• Establish and maintain employee benefits records and files, enter benefits data into the electronic Human Resources/Payroll system, and audit benefit information for accuracy and consistency
• Review benefits bills for accuracy and initiate payment, providing timely benefit deductions information to the payroll department
• Prepare and distribute correspondence and informational materials about employee benefit plans, policies, procedures, and related information
• Conduct training on leave programs and present benefits overview to new hires during orientation
• Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 3-5 years of experience
• Experience in employee benefits administration, leave management, or human resources preferred
• Valid South Carolina Driver's License
• Human Resources certification preferred
• Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) preferred
• Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) preferred

Physical Demands

• Constantly required to exchange accurate information
• Constantly operates a computer and other office machinery
• Constantly observes details at close range
• Frequently remains in a stationary position

Work Environment

This job is performed in an indoor office environment and involves regular use of computers and other standard office equipment such as printers, telephones, and copiers.

Supervisory Responsibility

No supervisory responsibilities.