Manager, Benefits & HRIS

DIVISION: Administration

DEPARTMENT: Employment/Comp/Benefits

UNION/GRADE: Non-Union/Grade 14

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BASIC PURPOSE:

Oversees and administers the MWRA benefits programs. Develops and maintains human resource information systems (HRIS) relative to employee records, personnel actions, leave balances and benefits administration. Oversees the development, maintenance and use of information and tracking systems used by the department. Manages the workers' compensation program and works in conjunction with the Director of Occupational Health & Safety to ensure the health and safety of employees.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Director of Human Resources.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Exercises general supervision over File Clerk and Senior HR Analyst (Benefits) and shared supervision of a Human Resources Specialist.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages the MWRA benefits programs including health, life, disability and dental insurances, leave benefits (contractual and statutory), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), flu vaccination program, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and industry-specific leadership programs.
• Formulates, recommends and manages the implementation of benefits and data collection and maintenance programs, policies and procedures.
• Evaluates the adequacy and appropriateness of existing levels and types of benefits and recommends adjustments as may be required.
• Researches, develops and recommends proposals for new or improved benefits.
• Manages the workers' compensation program. Files employee claims. Serves as liaison to payroll, security, department managers and MWRA Retirement Board on issues and reporting related to employees on workers' compensation leave. Handles inquiries from employees about workers' compensation benefits.
• Maintains strong working relationship and communication with third party workers' compensation administrator and workers' compensation legal counsel to ensure an assertive claims management approach.
• Manages procurement of benefit providers including EAP, dental insurance, flu shot clinics, workers' compensation third-party administrator, and workers' compensation legal counsel.
• Participates in negotiations with benefits carriers and consultants to ensure maximum coverage with available resources as may be required.
• Manages employee information programs on benefits policies and procedures.
• Assesses long-range compensation and benefits objectives along with the Manager of Compensation and makes recommendations as may be required.
• Manages employee leave programs, including FMLA, PFML, mutual aid, and other collectively bargained leave benefits. Serves as liaison to Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission and Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave.
• Monitors personnel data collection and maintenance programs and recommends improvements as may be required.
• Represents the department in all Management Information Systems (MIS) development projects and serves as the primary liaison in the development of specifications and in planning the implementation of a new Human Resources/Payroll system and subsequent updates.
• Oversees the maintenance of electronic and hard copy personnel and medical documentation files for the MWRA in compliance with applicable state and federal laws. Prepares responses to public records and legal requests related to personnel files, benefits, and leave.
• Manages the MWRA unemployment program, including participation in unemployment proceedings.
• Manages the department in a manner that is consistent with MWRA's goals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

SECONDARY DUTIES:

• Oversees and prepares the department's current expense budget and variance reporting relative to benefits programs.
• Supervises department procurement functions and oversees expenditure tracking and cost code system relative to benefits programs.
• Participates in the review of accommodation requests and determination process as required by state and federal law.
• Participates in collective bargaining negotiations, prepares costing information and analysis as may be required.
• Oversees employee service award programs, including annual years of service and extraordinary service award programs. Secures data for annual years of service awards ceremony and works closely with the Executive Office on the awards ceremony.
• Attends meetings of union health & welfare (dental and vision) committee.
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, public administration, business administration or a related field; and
• A thorough understanding of benefits and leave management, human resources, workers' compensation, and records maintenance as acquired through at least seven (7) years of relevant work experience, with at least three (3) years of supervisory and/or managerial experience in any field. Public sector experience preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of state and federal employee leave benefits, including but not limited to FMLA, PFML, Parental, and Military leaves.
• Knowledge of unemployment benefits and experience with Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) appeal process.
• Knowledge of workers' compensation law, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of the public sector procurement process is preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and videoconference applications.
• Demonstrated proficiency with HRIS systems, preferably Lawson or Infor.
• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to draw conclusions based upon available evidence.
• Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated supervisory skills.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information including medical records.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license or equivalent.
• Must be available for on-call nights and weekends on a rotating basis.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Office machines as normally associated with professional office environment, including but not limited to the use of telephones, personal computers, word processing and other software, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners, and fax machines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or operate objects including office equipment, and frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

There are no requirements that weight be lifted or force be exerted in performing the duties of this job. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employees regularly works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually a moderately quiet office setting.

The noise level in the work environment is a moderately quiet office setting. This position may be eligible for up to 50% telework.

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.