Benefits Specialist - Austin Human Resources

Join The City Of Austin Team At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employerwe are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee. What Makes the City of Austin Special? Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives. Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits. Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System. Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure. Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support. Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities. Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration. By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country. Austin Human Resources is dedicated to building a high-performing, diverse workforce that fosters a safe, respectful, and productive environment for all employees. Our department delivers strategic HR services across the organization, including talent acquisition, employee relations, benefits, compensation, learning and development, and risk management. We focus on programs and policies that strengthen employee engagement, professional growth, and organizational excellence. Benefits Specialist Job Description: Provide human resources (HR) advice and problem solving in the area of benefits on City-wide programs. Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: Implements, administers, and evaluates benefits programs designed by Austin Human Resources (AHR). Develops benefits systems, procedures, and processes for the implementation of City or department HR benefits programs, policies, or strategies. Provides advice and counsel to management and other employee groups related to the communication, interpretation, and implementation of City Benefits Policies and other benefits-related laws and regulations. Assists in solving benefits problems, then monitors implementation of agreed-upon actions until the problem has been resolved. Coordinates the resolution of benefits issues with third-party administrators and other City of Austin vendors. Provides advice for benefits-related decisions. Assists in the analysis of morale indicators such as but not limited to surveys, turnover, and grievances; and presents benefits recommendations for corrective action when needed. Collaborates and participates on teams with HR and other team members. When necessary, prepares, reviews, maintains, and approves financial transactions and/or information for routine and non-routine accounts payable, cash receipts, billing, or other handlings by verifying documentation from multiple sources. Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised: May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of assigned areas within Benefits. Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances governing benefits activities. Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods. Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures. Skill in oral and written communication. Skill in handling hostile conflicts and uncertain situations. Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing. Skill in using computers and related software. Skill in planning and organizing. Skill in data analysis and problem solving. Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities. Ability to develop and maintain knowledge in the area of benefits. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public. Minimum Qualifications: Graduation with an associate's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a related field, plus three (3) years of experience in a field related to Benefits. Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of two (2) years. Licenses and Certifications Required: None. Preferred Qualifications Experience assisting employees and retirees with benefit inquiries, enrollment process, and QLE changes throughout the year and during the annual Open Enrollment period. Experience in using Workday as an eligibility platform system to enroll employees/retirees in benefits and approve their benefits elections. Experience in benefits data entry with strong attention to accuracy. Experience in providing front desk coverage. Experience in Microsoft Excel and Word. Experience in working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Bilingual in English and Spanish Ability to travel to more than one work location. Notes to Candidate: Join Our Team as a Benefits Specialist! The City of Austin is committed to providing high-quality benefits that support the health, security, and peace of mind of our employees, retirees, and their dependents. Our benefits team serves a community of more than 35,000 people, ensuring they receive accurate information and exceptional service. As a Benefits Specialist, you will assist employees and retirees with benefits questions, guide them through enrollment, and review Qualifying Life Events and dependent documentation through the City's online eligibility platform. You will also manage billing for employees on leave, reconcile eligibility and enrollment reports, and complete timely and accurate data entry. This role provides essential customer service and operational support, including occasional front desk assistance and other duties that help keep our department running smoothly. If you are detail-oriented, service-minded, and enjoy helping others navigate important benefits decisions, we would love to connect with you Salary Range: $ 27.77 (Minimum) - $33.95 (Midpoint), depending on qualifications and experience. Office Location: One Texas Center, 505 Barton Spring Road, Ste. 600, Austin, Texas 78704 Days and Hours: Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary based on operational needs. Alternative schedules and remote work options are available; however, the position requires at least 40% in-office each week. A flexible hybrid schedule may be offered after successful completion of the probationary period. Driving Requirement: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations. Employment Application: The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include all current and previous employment you wish to be evaluated as part of your qualifications. Your Employment Record must list job titles, employment dates, duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position. Starting salary is based on the relevant experience documented in your application. If selected, the hiring process may include an assessment, initial screening interview, panel interviews, and a final interview with the Hiring Authority and division/department leadership. Rsums may be submitted in addition to a fully completed application. Statements such as "see rsum" are not accepted. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Use "N/A" in fields that do not apply. We invite you to closely review the City of Austin's guiding principles and core competencies found on the AustinTexas.gov site. The City of Austin may close a job posting at any time after seven (7) days from the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed

Created: 2026-03-04