Total Rewards Specialist

Join the City of Chattanooga Team

Chattanooga , a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College , our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation’s first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network.​ The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City,” the first of its kind in the United States. A

Our Organization

As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately ​2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.

• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.

• Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.

• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.

• Innovation: Leading-edge smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.

• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .

• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.

• ​The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground: Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it. As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.

• ​Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.

• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.

• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.

Salary: $19.30 - $23.32 Hourly (GS.06N)

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments, or projects.*

Work Location: City Hall, 101 East 11th Street

FLSA Status: This is an Non-Exempt position.

Department: Human Resources

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:
The incumbent is responsible for assisting with all areas of Total Rewards including employee benefits, wellness programs, FMLA, and ADA accommodations. This role ensures compliance with relevant regulations and policies while providing excellent support and service to employees. Provides information and materials to employees, vendors, and internal customers to facilitate and support the City's total rewards program.

SERIES LEVEL:
The Total Rewards Specialist is a stand-alone position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Provides technical information and instruction regarding benefits coverage to employees, retirees and dependents; interprets and explains rules and procedures; answers questions; resolves problems, complaints and issues; interfaces with vendors to facilitate the timely resolution of benefit problems.

Provides technical assistance to other City Departments concerning Total Rewards initiatives.

Assists fellow Human Resources staff members in the administration of Total Rewards including medical insurance, dental insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and FMLA.

Coordinating FMLA requests with third-party administrators. Communicate with employees and answer questions about eligibility, coverage, and premium collection during leave and return to work. Ensure department engagement for return-to-work arrangements, maintain accurate records, and process leave management activities on time, including premium collection and reporting.

Handles duties related to front desk/reception tasks including greeting customers, inbound and outbound phone calls, and reserving conference rooms.

Works cross functionally within the organization to organize wellness initiatives to promote employee engagement.

Assists with the creation of communication material for Total Rewards, events, training, and presentations. Participates in the implementation of Total Rewards programs, events, and presentations based on identified initiatives and goals.

Assists with surveys, job aids, and reporting tools for Total Rewards.

Serve as the primary contact for employees regarding benefits inquiries, claims, and plan changes.

Maintain accurate records and ensure timely processing of employee actions including: enrollments, changes, employee leaves, return to work, and terminations.

Work with providers to resolve issues and improve service delivery.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):

N/A.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma or GED with college coursework in a related field and two (2) years in benefits administration, wellness programs, absence management or any combination of equivalent experience and education.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
None

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of social marketing and communications strategies; leave programs and policies in accordance with the applicable federal and state employment laws such as the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act; employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plans, and other voluntary benefits; ADA accommodations within federal and state regulations; employee benefits, wellness programs, FMLA, and ADA regulations. Intermediate skill level of Google suite, Microsoft Office suite, HRIS system(Oracle preferred), and Social Media platforms

Ability to provide exceptional employee support when dealing with very sensitive situations; maintain, in strictest confidence, information received concerning confidential matters such as personal medical and any other information deemed to be of a confidential nature; demonstrate strong interpersonal skills in developing and maintaining positive relationships with employees and third-party providers; organize, multi-task and prioritize work, at times with conflicting priorities; work independently and as part of a team.

Skills include interpersonal and communication skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, understanding of Total Rewards programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require reaching, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N

This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

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