Benefits and Leave Specialist

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Position summary

Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today and tomorrow. We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits program. Learn more about the benefits Metro offers. If you are passionate about providing excellent service through anticipating our community's needs, creating partnerships, and embracing diversity then this could be the position for you! The Total Rewards Team is looking for a Benefits and Leave Specialist with a wide range of experience in employee benefits and leave of absences. This position is a critical role for Metro as it touches all of Metro's workforce. As a member of the Total Rewards team, you will be one of four highly knowledgeable and experienced benefits and leaves specialists. Working independently and as part of this team, you will be relied upon as a subject matter expert and trusted partner on strategic and day to day benefits and leave cases. As the Benefits and Leave Specialist you will:

• Provide support to the Benefits and Leave Supervisor in the areas of benefit, leave administration, and disability related issues for Metro employees.
• Communicate with employees regarding their need for leave and benefits, including providing required notices and helping them understand their responsibility for providing documentation.
• Communicate with supervisors regarding employees on leave of absence, provide notices and assist with timecards.
• Collect data and track leave of absences that are covered under Federal and State of Oregon and Washington laws and other employee leave usage for statistical reports and reporting guidelines and helps coordinate leave processing.
• Coordinate and maintain PERS retirement program; enter employee demographic data into PERS database; work with payroll to process annual refunds and invoices with PERS.
• Process data into HRIS systems for benefits enrollments, changes, and other relevant data entry activities.
• Coordinate retirement/COBRA needs with contracted provider.
• Provide information and assistance to employees for leave and benefits-related inquiries from multiple sources: Teams, emails, helpdesk, and phone.
• Monitor ACA tracking for variable hour and part time employees who may become eligible for benefits under the ACA.
• Schedule, attend, create, and maintain agendas and minutes for committee meetings.
• Schedule annual vendor meetings for retirement providers for employee outreach and training.
• Process historical edits on FMLA and OFLA cases.
• Update timecards before sign-off is completed.
• Maintain complete and accurate filing system for various leave and benefits documents, scans and archives files as appropriate.

Attributes for success:

• Enjoys researching and conducting analysis.
• Enjoys helping employees with their benefits and leaves.
• Has extensive experience in employee benefits and leave management.
• Has municipal Human Resources experience.
• Is passionate about providing superior public service in a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Diversity and inclusion: At Metro, we're committed to hiring a workforce representative of the communities we serve, recognizing that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We invest in employees by supporting equitable and inclusive hiring practices, employee policies and training programs. TO QUALIFY We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field; AND
• Three years of benefits and leave administration; OR
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Required: The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a criminal background check prior to being hired. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Hybrid Telework: This position is designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will be working both remotely (from home) and onsite at Metro Regional Center 600 NE Grand Ave Portland, OR 97232. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply: If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years. Like to have qualifications: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Previous experience in a government agency working with benefits and leave administration.
• Experience working with Peoplesoft.
• Experience working with PERS.

COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION Based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements, Metro's internal equity review process, and the candidates' qualifications, the appointment will typically be made between step 1 $39.43 to the equity range step 4 $45.65. The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $39.43 to step 7 $52.84 an hour. This position is eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as an Program Specialist (Download PDF reader). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. SCREENING AND EVALUATION The application packet: The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• A cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum qualifications of this position.

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

Questions? Recruiter: Kara Hill Email: View email address on us.edajobs.com

Additional Information

Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities. Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call View phone number on us.edajobs.com. Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources View phone number on us.edajobs.com. Pay equity at Metro: Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act. Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): Metro pays both the employee and employer portion of PERS contributions for eligible employees. Veterans' preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region. Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners, and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs. Benefits vary depending on position and full-time, part-time, and variable hour status. This is a budgeted, regular status position with a full-time schedule. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision health insurance
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation, holiday, and other leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program
• Training opportunities
• Flexible schedules depending on position and department
• Hybrid/Telework living in Oregon /Washington depending on position and department

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling. Learn more about employee benefits. Some positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits. View union contracts here.