Human Resources Specialist (Benefits) Series

$52,512 - $52,512/Yr

State of Missouri - Kansas City, MO

Full-time - Entry Level

Kansas City, MO

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Human Resources Specialist (Benefits) position at the State of Missouri is a full-time role based in the Kansas City District Office. This entry-level position is designed for individuals who are looking to start their career in human resources, specifically in the area of employee benefits. The role is structured as a career-ladder position, which means that employees have the opportunity for career advancement without the need to go through a competitive selection interview process. As employees gain experience and develop new skills, they can be promoted to higher-level positions within the department. In this role, the benefits specialist will perform routine activities under direct supervision, focusing on the principal benefits offered by the department. The position involves liaising between various stakeholders, including participants, employees, plan administrators, boards of trustees, and providers. The specialist will assist in developing and coordinating programs and materials for presentations related to employee benefits, including new employee orientation, enrollment sessions, pre-retirement seminars, and statewide insurance meetings. Additionally, the specialist will provide advisory assistance to supervisors and employees regarding benefit options, review documents and forms to ensure correct payroll coding and transactions, and coordinate necessary payroll corrections. The role also includes inputting personnel transactions into the computer system, monitoring new laws and regulations related to benefits, and recommending improvements to maintain a contemporary benefits package. The specialist will assist in evaluating and developing internal policies, procedures, manuals, and reports, and will perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Assist in liaison duties for department benefits between participants/members, employees, plans administrators, boards of trustees, and providers.
• Assist in the development and coordination of programs and materials for presentation of benefits for new employee orientation and enrollment sessions, pre-retirement seminars, statewide insurance meetings, training sessions, and other informational meetings.
• Provide employee benefit advisory assistance to supervisors and employees statewide; assist in counseling employees on benefit options.
• Review documents, forms, and reports to determine if payroll coding, transactions, and adjustments are correct; coordinate payroll corrections and process forms necessary to enroll, maintain, and update employee benefits.
• Input personnel transactions in the computer system, such as new hires, promotions, transfers, retirements, resignations, and releases.
• Assist in monitoring and researching new laws, regulations, and changes pertaining to benefits; recommend improvements or required changes to benefits to comply with laws and to assist the department in maintaining a contemporary benefits package.
• Assist in evaluation and development of internal policies, procedures, manuals, handbooks, forms, and creation of reports.
• Perform other responsibilities as required or assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
• Good interpersonal, consultative, and communication skills.
• Strong public speaking skills, both in large and small group settings.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in human resources or benefits administration is preferred.

Benefits

• Defined pension plan
• Generous amounts of leave and holiday time
• Eligibility for health insurance coverage
• Opportunities for advancement
• Comprehensive benefits package including a Total Compensation Calculator to demonstrate the value of working for MoDOT.