Benefits and Leave Specialist, PT / HR Spec III - Hybrid

Full Job Description

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

This posting may fill more than one vacancy.

Thank you for your interest in working for the State of Colorado. Join us and find meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents, helping to make Colorado a great place to live and work in. Please watch the short video below for tips on applying.

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To learn more about what happens after you apply for a position with the State of Colorado, please watch the short, informative video

What Happens After You Apply

Colorado for All Philosophy: Colorado for All means working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

It means we support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.

The Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA) is the foundation for dependable state government, leading with responsiveness, integrity, and teamwork.

We provide services to other government agencies and all Coloradans by taking bold initiative toward a government with engaged employees, innovative solutions, and constructive partnerships.

DPA provides a wide range of programs and services, from custodial & maintenance to financial and human resources support, which assist other state agencies in fulfilling their missions.

At DPA, there are countless opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that supports and serves the people of Colorado.

The wide variety of positions in DPA allow individuals to learn about state operations and provide for long-term career growth.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado; it's a chance to combine your expertise with public service.

Our professionals strive to support state government and the residents of Colorado.

Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more.

Good Government Starts Here!

Why We Want You:

We want your expertise, positive energy, drive to succeed, and love of this great state as we work to elevate the expectations Coloradans have of their government.

What You'll Get From Us:

In return for the skilled work you do, DPA provides a competitive compensation and benefits package to accompany employment opportunities. Please see the Benefits Overview video for details on the benefits offered to employees.

Requirements

This is a part time position, expected to work 20 hours per week, or 1,040 hours per year. This position is eligible for full benefits.

The role of the Benefits and Leave specialist is to provide comprehensive consulting to HR organizations within state departments /institutes of higher education (IHEs) as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the health savings account program. This role also collaborates on establishing and enforcing statewide benefit and leave policies and procedures for the administration of employee benefits and leave. Assists with developing policy, technical guidance, rule interpretation and training.

A summary of the duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Health Savings Account Program Management:

• Responsible for overseeing and managing the health savings account program from end to end, navigating the competing demands from divergent perspectives of state agencies and IHEs.
• Identifies challenges and provides recommendations for improvements. Considers statutory and legal precedents, historical practices and impacts.
• Ensures the process is executed effectively, meets the desired outcomes and aligns with the organization’s strategic goals.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders by demonstrating exceptional customer service.
• Establish consistent communication pathways with stakeholders to ensure employees understand how to best utilize their HSA and to ensure their understanding of applicable regulations, ensuring compliance.
• Partner with vendors, statewide agencies, IHEs to perform auditing to ensure the accuracy of deposits and W-2 information.
• Oversee the year end reconciliation process

Program Support:

• Assist with the administration of the State of Colorado’s Medical Insurance Premium Supplement Program.
• Review and process applications ensuring strict adherence to the program rules and policies.
• Effectively communicate with employees about the program, including, but not limited to eligibility, process and benefits of the program.
• Assist the department with open enrollment project planning, implementation and support.
• Collaborates on establishing and enforcing statewide benefit policies and procedures for the administration of employee benefits.
• Participates as needed in the annual compensation survey process and publications, large complex system maintenance studies and other
  unit program areas.
• Participates in professional development training, certifications and additional learning opportunities to stay up to date on state and national human resources trends.

Leave Administration:

• Working closely and in collaboration with the Statewide Leave manager, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with agencies by demonstrating exceptional consulting customer services through the provision of accurate and timely advice regarding the statewide leave program.
• Assist with developing policy, technical guidance, rule interpretation and training in regards to statewide leave programs.
• Studies leave legislation and market trends to assess and determine impact and direction of the statewide leave model.
• Assess what industry concepts and trends may be applicable to the State, develop meaningful project plans and prepare business case with options
  and justified recommendations to present to the Leave Program Manager.
• Maintains current knowledge of the field and state personnel system, both general HR and fields of responsibilities and all division functions in order to incorporate trends and be forward-thinking.
• Assist with leave administrator meetings.

Maintaining knowledge
Maintaining current knowledge of State Personnel Rules, State Statutes, Plan Documents, Partnership Agreements, benefits-related IRS rules (HIPAA, ACA, etc.), both federal and state leave programs (FMLA, PFML, FAMLI, etc.), and other relevant laws and regulations, and interpreting these rules to answer questions posed by stakeholders

Qualifications

*A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying.

Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, but may be attached.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application.

Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes will not be reviewed for minimum qualification screening.

If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will also be used as part of the comparative analysis process to identify a top group for further consideration.

This position is advertised in line with the Governor’s executive order (Executive Order 2022 015) (Download PDF reader) focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training or past experiences.

Residency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description:

H4G3XX

Human Resources Specialist III

Experience Only:

At least six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to at least six (6) years.

The exceptional candidate will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following preferred qualifications:

• Previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position

• Experience working in benefits administration or human resources.

• Experience managing projects.

• Experience with creating and facilitating training.

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills and the ability to explain difficult concepts clearly and articulately.

• Proficient in Google, Microsoft Office. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
  
  

Conditions of Employment:

• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

Comparative Analysis Process
The comparative analysis process for this position may consist of a structured application review, an online assessment or other structured assessment step.

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative.

This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

Additional Information

Employment Philosophy: The State of Colorado strives to build and maintain workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans.

We are building a Colorado for All through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is committed to non-discriminatory practices in hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Accommodations: The Department of Personnel & Administration is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Heather Siegal heather.siegal@state.co.us