Benefits Manager

Class TitleThe Benefits Manager position will be responsible for employee medical as well as pension benefits. The work activities may involve the following.Manager's Responsibilities:Supervision of staff in the benefits area: Address employees concerns or problems related to insurance and pension benefits.DutiesAdminister various employee benefits programs, such as group health, flexible spending accounts, dental and vision, accident and disability, life insurance, and wellness benefits, LTD, COBRA and other related duties.Oversees the operation of the Pension program including meetings designed to help employees understand company benefitsConduct benefits and pension orientations and explain benefits to new employees.Maintain employee medical and pension filing systems and ensure benefits changes are entered appropriately in payroll system for payroll deduction.Assist employees with health, dental, life and other related benefit claims.Verify the calculation of the monthly premium statements for all group insurance policies and maintain statistical data relative to premiums, claims and costs. Resolve administrative problems with the carrier representatives.Assist in obtaining statistics and information in renewal process of any health, life and retirement plans that benefit the company.Assist in completing benefits for both medical and pension reporting requirements.Administers the City's retirement plans, specifically the Employees Retirement System, the Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund and the Police Officers PensionPrepares for and attends regularly scheduled board meetings.Calculates each employee's retirement based on plan parameters principles.Ensures proper documentation to state for Police and Fire pay records monthly.Ensures proper deductions from Police and Fire retirees.Provides estimates for employees who are planning on retiring within a year.Prepares documents and analyses transfers to/from other entities of service time or the repurchase of service time.Provides accurate back up for all 457 Plans and payroll contributions to various agencies with which the city uses.If notary, provides documentation for and notary of garnishments and applications for state tax office.Performs other duties as assigned.Required Skills/Abilities:Knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Excellent organizational and time management skills.Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.Minimum QualificationsBachelor's Degree in public administration, business administration or a related field with advanced degrees preferred.Two (2) years professional experience, preferably in the administration of a medium-large public pension system with broad knowledge and understanding of Internal Revenue Codes and how they affect pension and deferred compensation or three (3) years experience in accounting and financial reporting for pension plans and other facets of pension fund administration, the last two (2) years of which includes supervisory experience.Computer literate to include a working knowledge of payroll systems, personal computer and software (Excel, Word, Windows, and other databases.)Normal Path from This Class : Any Higher Level Class for which eligible and qualified.BenefitsThe City of Shreveport offers many benefits including vacation and sick leave, health, dental and vision insurance, 10 paid holidays per calendar year and long term disability.