Job Details

Benefits and Human Resources Coordinator

Under the direction of the appropriate or assigned administrator, the Benefits and Human Resources Coordinator is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the administration of all employee benefit programs, comprehensive leave management (including those detailed in Collective Bargaining Agreements), and essential human resources functions, including return-to-work programs and HRIS support, to ensure District-wide legal and fiscal compliance. The Coordinator oversees the Benefits Technician and other assigned staff.

1. Program Management and Supervision: Plans, organizes, supervises, and participates in the daily operations of the District's health, welfare, insurance, and retirement benefit programs (e.g., medical, dental, vision, life, COBRA, Flexible Spending Accounts, and retirement systems). Provides direction, training, and oversight to the Benefits Technician and other assigned staff.

2. Compliance and Negotiations: Ensures legal, contractual, and fiscal compliance with all State and Federal regulations, including HIPAA, ACA, AB528, Medicare, and COBRA, and with all Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) regarding benefits and leaves. Serves as an active participant in negotiations as needed for benefits-related matters. Oversees and serves as district liaison to retirement systems representatives concerning health and disability matters, insurance representatives and their agents, employees, and prospective employees; consults with district counsel as appropriate.

3. Leave and Accommodation Administration: Manages and administers all District leave programs, including FMLA, CFRA, non-industrial injury/illness leaves, and all leaves detailed in CBAs. Collaborates with Risk Management regarding industrial leaves (Workers' Compensation) and related return-to-work matters. Coordinates and facilitates the interactive process meetings to explore reasonable accommodations with employees and management, and manages return-to-work duties for employees recovering from non-industrial injury/illness. Analyzes and processes disability submissions, including conducting research to dispute claims as appropriate. Administers District leave programs for the purpose of providing accurate leaves for employees within regulatory specifications.

4. Financial Analysis and Reporting: Conducts benefit-related investigations and studies (e.g., research, operational and analytical reports, statistical analysis, and cost projections) for the purpose of providing up-to-date reference and sound decision-making support. Administers and coordinates the preparation of reports as required by federal, state, County Department of Education and district policy.

5. HRIS and Data Management: Provides comprehensive HRIS support and involvement for benefits and human resources information systems. Performs complex data extraction, query generation, reporting, and ongoing system maintenance to ensure data integrity and functionality. Directs the maintenance of a variety of records, files, and reports related to human resources services, operations, and activities.

6. Communication and Education: Organizes and leads in-service training sessions for employees, administrators, and assigned staff regarding benefits, leave procedures, and HR compliance. Communicates effectively with employees, retirees, carriers, and vendors, interpreting and explaining complex insurance and benefits policies. Attends site meetings to advise of benefit options and communicates with district administrators, bargaining units, and insurance carriers for the purpose of distribution of information and providing benefit expertise, which requires attending classes to stay abreast of legislation.

7. Coordination of Mandates and Committees: In conjunction with Human Resources Managers, oversees and coordinates the processing and distribution of mandated notifications (e.g., annual employee notifications, mandated reporter training compliance, etc.) to ensure adherence to legal requirements. Coordinates the Benefits Advisory Committee, managing meeting logistics, materials, and follow-up.

8. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Serves as the Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) Coordinator, providing confidential coordination and facilitation of services for all employee-related issues, including crisis intervention, general wellness, and mental health support.

9. Drug Screening: Coordinates with the Department of Transportation-mandated drug and alcohol screening program in collaboration with the GUHSD transportation administrators.

Other functions include participating in meetings, workshops, and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions. Performs other functions, duties, and tasks related to this class as assigned (e.g., District-required training).

Job requirements include knowledge of principles and practices of employee benefit and long-term leave administration, the distinction between industrial and non-industrial leaves, human resources information systems functionalities, collective bargaining agreement provisions related to employee benefits and leaves, effective supervisory and training techniques, accounting and fiscal procedures necessary for managing benefit program budgets and cost projections, and health and welfare benefit programs.

Skills include operating standard office equipment, performing financial analysis, facilitating complex and sensitive meetings, analyzing problems, reading, understanding, interpreting, applying, and explaining technical manuals, legal codes, and administrative policies, reports, and directives.

Ability to adapt to changing work priorities, meet deadlines, and set priorities for self and supervised staff; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse groups; establish and maintain effective working relationships; manage a high volume of work, maintain confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information, and apply critical thinking to complex policy and legal issues; train, supervise, and evaluate assigned insurance and benefits staff; and manage the employee benefit open enrollment process.

Education required: a combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to a bachelor's degree in employee benefits administration, human resources, business administration, or a closely related field. College-level coursework in human resources, business, accounting, finance or a closely related field is preferred.

Experience required: a minimum of four years of recent progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration, human resource administration, or a related field, including a minimum of two years of experience focused on non-industrial leave administration (FMLA, CFRA, ADA accommodations) and employee benefits administration, and one year of experience using a large information system and database to include complex queries and data extraction. Experience in a school district or public administration environment is preferred. Two years of lead or supervisory experience in a related human resources environment is also desirable. License required: none required. Certifications and testing required: