Statewide Benefits Manager / HR Specialist VI - Hybrid

Full Job Description

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

Note: 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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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

The Statewide Benefits Manager is responsible for statewide employee benefits strategy and operations, and overseeing the Division of Human Resources Benefits Team within the Department of Personnel and Administration.

This position is a subject matter expert in statewide benefits which includes the interpretation of federal regulations, state statute, personnel rule, the Partnership Agreement with the State's employee organization, as well as plan documents, and ensuring compliance. This position provides guidance on benefits on a statewide level and regularly makes recommendations to leadership on benefit and program changes. This position manages the design, negotiation, and administration of benefits contracts and insurance plans (e.g. health, life, dental). This position works closely with and builds strong working relationships with benefits vendors, consultants, department administrators, leadership, and other teams within DHR.

As the Benefits Manager, the position is responsible for the supervision and daily operations of the Benefits Team to ensure high-quality customer support, compliance and a smooth execution of open enrollment. Position approves leave and schedules, plans and evaluates performance, assigns work, leads and coaches staff, recommends new hires, identifies opportunities for staff development, resolves disputes at the informal stage, takes corrective action and recommends disciplinary action.

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

Oversees Statewide Benefits Operations:

• Statewide subject matter expert in benefits and wellness
• Oversees administration of statewide benefits program
• Act as product owner for the statewide benefits administration system
• Tracks, interprets and applies federal and state rules and regulations
• Ensures compliance with federal and state statute, state board and personnel rules, the Partnership Agreement, IRS code, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and all other applicable federal and state laws and rules.
• Conducts regular audits, proposes and executes on action plans to address audit findings
• Assess, identifies, and makes recommendations to leadership to improve statewide benefits plan, rules, and administration
• Provides input on and implements short and long term strategic initiatives
• Evaluates program effectiveness on an ongoing basis including (but not limited to) utilization, risk, and costs
• Manages projects end to end
• Manages the annual open enrollment cycle
• Monitors industry trends
• Manages the actuarial and benefits consultant and broker contracts, collaborates with procurement on solicitations
• In collaboration with budget and the actuary, provides recommendations for plan changes and rate setting, and responds to fiscal notes
• Prepares responses to Office of State Planning and Budgeting, Joint Budget Committee, DPA Budget Team, and other key stakeholders as needed
• Tracks the budgets for employee benefits and wellness, works with budget to ensure appropriate fund balances
• Consult with the attorney general as needed to ensure operational compliance

Benefits Team Manager:

• Manages and evaluates team performance
• Develops and drives the achievement of team goals and objectives to achieve department goals, in alignment with the annual performance cycle
• Assigns and tracks work
• Manages selection process and makes recommendations for hiring
• Approves leaves and schedules
• Delivers feedback
• Provides training, coaching, and professional development
• Develops and updates position descriptions
• Resolves disputes and grievances at the informal stage
• Takes corrective action and recommends disciplinary action
• Makes recommendations for team structure, roles, and responsibilities
  

Guidance and Consultation:

• Provides high quality guidance, support, and consultation to agency administrators on benefits plans and administration
• Communicates proactively and regularly on statewide benefits with a variety of key stakeholders in a variety of formats including (but not limited to) benefits administrators, human resources directors, and leadership teams
• Provides information and advice to executive leadership regarding benefits and wellness, operations, plan performance policies, and regulations
• Oversees statewide benefits administrator community including, but not limited to, the benefits administrator forum.
• Creates technical guidance, training, plan documents, website updates, and other supporting materials as needed.
• Creates and executes communication plans for events such as open enrollment, major plan updates, or for other reasons as needed
• Conducts needs assessments to understand the needs of the benefits administrator community, and develops and executes plans to meet those needs
• Present or testify in hearings as needed
• Support labor relations negotiations and conversations related to benefits, may participate or present in workgroups or forums such as the Labor Management Committee

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:

H4I4XX

Human Resources Specialist VI

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

At least nine (9) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, which must include at least two (2) years of supervising staff.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to at least nine (9) years, which must include at least two (2) years of experience supervising staff. There is no substitution for the two years of supervising staff.

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

• Ability to develop a strategic vision aligned with the department’s goals

• Demonstrated ability in delivering high-stakes presentations to executive leadership, legislative committees to influence policy

• Experience articulating complex benefit plan concepts to non-subject matter experts

• Proven ability to build a culture of ownership and proactive problem-solving

• Ability to prioritize among competing tasks

• Self-motivated and able to thrive in a results-driven, fast-paced environment

• Excellent listening and customer service skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Experience in project management

• Additional leadership experience

Conditions of Employment:

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

• Travel Required: Periodic travel may be required, with some overnight travel

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 acknowledgement 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