Corporate Human Resources Specialist II (Term Contract) (15303, Grade 24)

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission  (M-NCPPC), Department of Human Resources and Management, Human Resources Division is seeking a highly motivated and customer-focused Term Contract Corporate Human Resources Specialist II (Senior Corporate Human Resources Specialist) to join the Health and Benefits Unit.   
 We are seeking a highly qualified and experienced professional to administer The Commission’s comprehensive employee benefits programs. Working closely with employees, retirees, Human Resources staff, departmental leadership, and benefits providers, the successful candidate will provide guidance regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, plan provisions and related policies and procedures. The successful candidate will serve as a knowledgeable and trusted resource on employee benefits and will contribute to initiatives, including in-person/virtual group educational meetings and new hire orientation, that support employee engagement, retention, and will champion the Commission as “employer of choice.”

The successful candidate will be involved in supporting current Corporate Benefit Specialists in ensuring the accurate and timely administration of employee benefits in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements, as appropriate. The successful candidate will also respond to employee inquiries, resolve benefits-related issues, maintain accurate records, assist with benefits communications and enrollment activities, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of benefits services.

The ideal candidate must be very customer-focused, team-oriented, results-driven and possess strong organizational, analytical and communication (verbal and written) skills.  The ability to be flexible, support multiple projects simultaneously, manage time effectively, and adjust to different customers is crucial.

This position requires the ability to establish trust and credibility, work independently, and operate collaboratively in a team environment.  Must be capable of effectively managing and coordinating positive work partnerships with multiple staff levels and meet deadlines consistently. 
 
 May require some evening and weekend work depending on the needs of the unit. This is a hybrid work opportunity and some remote work is permissible. The M-NCPPC is an award-winning bi-county agency that supports the Departments of Parks & Recreation and Planning in Prince George’s County and the Departments of Parks and Planning in Montgomery County in Maryland.

Salary range above represents earning potential, salary is commensurate with experience. Salaries for Term Contract employees are hourly based on a 37.5-hour work week.

• Administers benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and wellness for active employees and retirees in accordance with established policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.

• Serves as a primary point of contact for employees and retirees regarding benefits questions, eligibility, enrollment, coverage, claims, and other benefit-related matters.
• Coordinates with insurance carriers, benefit plan providers, brokers, third-party administrators, and other vendors to ensure accurate and timely administration of benefits.
• Reviews and resolves coverage, claims, billing, enrollment, payroll deduction discrepancies and eligibility issues in coordination with employees, retirees, third-party administrators and other vendors, and internal departments in a timely manner.
• Provides administrative and technical support for leave programs, including FMLA, Long-Term Disability, Military Leave, Sick Leave Bank, and other applicable leave programs.
• Ensures benefits administration practices comply with applicable federal and state laws, including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, and other laws governing employee benefits and leave administration.
• Conducts benefits audits and reviews to identify discrepancies, compliance issues, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Performs data analysis and prepares reports to support benefits administration, audits, reconciliation, and management decision-making.
• Supports the implementation and transition to a new ERP/HCM system, including system testing, data validation, process documentation, issue identification, and resolution.
• Assists with payroll interfaces, vendor integrations, EDI files, and other electronic data exchanges as applicable.
• Conducts benefits orientations, workshops, open enrollment sessions, and other educational programs.
• Assists with developing and updating benefits, wellness, and leave-related materials, including intranet content, guides, flyers, presentations, and employee communications.
• Provides administrative and technical support to the Benefits Manager and other HR management staff.
• Prepares correspondence, reports, presentations, spreadsheets, and other HR-related documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience administering benefits for a large or diverse employee population, including active employees, retirees, and/or survivors.
2. Prior experience with a large company, integrated HRIS/ERP/HCM such as Infor/Lawson, Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM Cloud.
3. Experience with benefits system configuration, testing, data validation, troubleshooting, or implementation activities.
4. Experience working with vendor portals, EDI files, flat-file feeds, payroll interfaces, and/or other HR technology integrations.
5. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including experience with data analysis, auditing, reconciliation, reporting, and data validation.
6. Demonstrated knowledge and experience administering employee benefits programs, preferably healthcare benefits, retirement programs, retirement programs, leave administration, and wellness programs.
7. Working knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing employee benefits and leave administration, including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, and FMLA.
8. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel.

Bachelor’s degree in human resources management or any related field.

Two (2) years of experience performing HR work in the assigned program(s).

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which total six (6) years.

Certifications in area of expertise are desirable, including SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, ATD, CEBS, or other relevant professional certifications.

Valid driver’s license in accordance with both state and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Classification Specification: Corporate Human Resources Specialist III (#1540)(Term Contract)

A criminal background check will be conducted prior to hire. 

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor. 

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or (Maryland Relay    7-1-1). M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.

Website: Visit our website at https://www.mncppc.org/.

The Commission offers an attractive benefits package for Term Contract employees including: 2 weeks of paid generic leave, paid holiday leave, administrative leave, direct deposit, membership in credit union, deferred compensation plan and worker’s compensation benefits.  Medical benefits including prescription plan, flexible spending accounts and retirement programs including traditional and Roth IRA.