Benefits Manager

Benefits Manager

At South Burlington School District, we believe in supporting the whole employee—inside and outside the workplace. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes amazing, competitively priced health insurance, dental coverage, sick time, professional time and other leaves. Additionally, we offer a robust retirement plan which for educators is through VT State Teachers Retirement; and for other staff consists of a 403b plan with up to 6% provided by the district. Employees may also enjoy professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, wellness initiatives, Employee Assistance Programs and meaningful work that directly impacts student success and community growth.

Responsible for the daily oversight of assigned employee health and welfare benefit programs and special projects. Meets with employees to resolve concerns and provide accurate information. Maintains District files in concert with local, state, and federal requirements. Assists Senior Director of Human Resources by performing assigned administrative duties and special projects.

Manages the health and welfare programs for the District:

• Designs and implements an open enrollment program. Provides accurate information and enrollment forms to all eligible employees for the District's insurance benefit plans including: health, dental, life, LTD/ADD, Section 125 and Health Savings Accounts (FSA, HRA, HSA).
• Actively participates in the new employee on-boarding activities and maintains the employee website and portal information for health and welfare programs. Develops educational material and assists employees with questions regarding benefit coverage and claims.
• Evaluates district benefits strategy annually and evaluates markets for related insurances, retirement plan services and ancillary benefits and makes recommendations to the HRD.
• Coordinates with the Business Manager and HRD to formulate and implement a regular schedule for bidding (RFP) on health and welfare related contracts.
• Develops health and welfare data for administration and maintains accurate, up-to-date files of all benefit-related information.
• Ensures Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) are current and made available to employees, as appropriate. Maintains files and records of requests and modifications made.

Collaborates with the Payroll Office in the administration of the employee benefit programs:

• Provides completed benefit enrollment forms in a timely manner for payroll processing.
• May assist in the preparation of required reports and data collection related to health insurance plans.
• Provides termination information to payroll for third-party COBRA notifications.
• Works with employees, representatives of government and other agencies to provide relevant information and/or obtain information.
• Assists with monitoring benefit plan administration, including but not limited to auditing benefit census after open enrollments.

Manages the District processing of ADA employment accommodation requests:

• Maintains procedures, forms, and educational tools on ADA. Provides training as necessary.
• Responds to requests for employee workplace accommodations. Guides the interactive process with administrators and supervisors in an effort to identify reasonable accommodations, whenever possible.
• Maintains files and records of requests and modifications made.
• Tracks data on ADA requests, modifications, and accommodation denials.
• Ensures accurate and timely communication with employees as required.

Oversees the District Worker's Compensation program:

• Serves as the District's contact with the Workers' Compensation third party processor and insurance carrier. Coordinating claims work with Worker's Compensation insurance carriers to manage claims.
• Provides reports and related information to state and other required agencies regarding claims. Ensures annual postings are distributed and OSHA reporting is completed and filed.
• Provides accurate information to employees and training to administrators/supervisors about district leave benefits, protocols, and Worker's Compensation benefits.
• Prepares, and processes "First Report of Injury" claims. Follows up and monitors concerns as necessary.
• Coordinates flow of information concerning WC leaves with building administration, school nurses, and the Payroll/Benefits Coordinator.
• Facilitates a return to work process for employees and/or coordinating end of work plan.

Oversees the District employee leave programs:

• Maintaining employee leave records, reports and related files consistent with District provided leave benefits programs and as required by FMLA/VPFLA, Workers' Compensation, ADA, and other related laws and statutes.
• Actively engaging with employees to provide accurate, specific leave information by phone, in person, and/or through correspondence.
• Following up with employees on required medical documentation, return to work plans and forms, and related information. Coordinates the employee's return to work plans with supervisors, as necessary.
• Ensuring all required posting, reporting, and/or notification requirements are met. Ensures leave procedures are accurately documented, current, and distributed/posted appropriately.
• Providing training to employees on the use of the software systems (i.e. Frontline and Health Screening Software) and provides information to eligible on-boarding employees.
• Ensuring that online employee leave benefits are accurately set up for each employee and collaborates with ongoing leave requests with the business office.
• Consistently tracking employee leave requests from the on-line absence system to identify leaves that may be ADA or FMLA/VPFLA eligible and to ensure that leaves are consistent with collective bargaining agreements and non-union employee guidelines. Brings irregularities to the attention of the employee's supervisor and requests for exceptions to the attention of the Superintendent/designee.
• Tracks employee information related to COVID and ensures District compliance with health department, Vermont AOE rules and expectations for employees. Provides recommendations to Administration as necessary.
• Develops data points to identify trends for planning purposes.

Coordinates health and wellness resources available through VSBIT such as, but not limited to, the Employee Assistance Program, and PATH Coordination.

Maintains professional growth and knowledge of relevant research and current human resources practices via participation in state-wide professional organizations; advanced study; attendance at conference, workshops and/or other means.

Maintains the Post Offer, Pre-Employment process.

• Coordinates services through third-party health providers to provide required physicals.
• Maintains required documents in a confidential manner. Ensures updated plan documents, health information.

Serves as the District HIPAA Coordinator.

Responsible for maintaining separate medical files for Transportation Employees, necessary for licensure.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources preferred, Associate's Degree or equivalent in Human Resources, Business Management, or associated area required. Five or more years as a human resource generalist, or payroll/employee benefit experience required.

A designation in the Human Resources area is preferred such as: PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP is helpful.

Ability to operate personal computer software, especially spreadsheets. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Must be able to keep high levels of confidentiality in all aspects of job performance. Demonstrated ongoing commitment to workplace diversity, sustainability, and delivering exceptional customer service.

Why Join SBSD?

• Supportive colleagues and leadership
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Professional growth and advancement
• Comprehensive benefits
• Meaningful work that impacts students daily