Remote Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist

Regular Full-Time
As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 92,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.
Reporting to the Manager, Payroll, Benefits & HRIS, the Benefits Specialist is responsible for the overall administration of the City’s employee benefits, sick leave plans, and pension programs, while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, processes and practices.
Responsible for employee benefits administration, communicating with employees and benefit providers, the oversight of enrollment eligibility and coordination of benefit, sick plan, and pension enrolment, processing of changes and terminations, and investigation and resolving plan and enrollment issues
Responsible for all retirements, includes supporting employees with their retirement documentation, calculating retirement payments or benefits the employee may be eligible for, and completing the related paperwork to submit to Payroll for processing
As the primary contact for Pension Purchase of Service for employees wishing to purchase their non-contributory pensionable service or to purchase a leave of absence, will receive and process the purchase of service applications submitted by employees, as well as answer inquiries pertaining to a purchase of service for pension
Primary point of contact for all employee related inquiries regarding benefit programs as they relate to applicable Collective Agreements and City policies
Works closely with the HR Team and the Health, Safety and Wellness Team regarding employee sick banks, sick leave usage, and transitions to long term leave options
Develops guides and other resources to improve benefit awareness for staff
Ensures timely and accurate enrollments, monthly reconciliation, payment remittance, adjustments and reporting to benefit carriers, and Municipal Pension Plan
Participates in the resolution of complex benefit issues, changes and policy interpretation
Maintains confidentiality when handling employee benefits information and adheres to City policies and legal requirements regarding data privacy and confidentiality
Provides benefit related data as requested
Acts for the Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) Specialist on matters during the latter's absence
A diploma or degree in Human Resources Management of related field.
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) is considered an asset
Excellent knowledge of provincial and federal legislation, collective agreements, and policies and procedures related to benefits administration
Knowledge of the practices and techniques related to benefits administration
Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)/HRIS systems

We offer our employees great work-life balance, including competitive salaries, comprehensive health and wellness benefits and retirement plans (a percentage in lieu of benefits for auxiliary positions). We also offer a hybrid remote work schedule in accordance with our Remote Work Policy, opportunities for education and training, and engaging, rewarding work.
Join a team of enthusiastic and innovative employees, and help us build a vibrant, compassionate, resilient
To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community; women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversity of our workforce, are encouraged to express their interest.
We are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.