HR Benefits Specialist

Committee for Public Counsel Services•Boston, MA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Human Resources Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is excited to announce a new role on the Benefits Team – the Benefits Specialist. This position will be based in Boston but will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule. CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics. The Human Resources Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is committed to providing excellent support and customer service for all our employees in a client-centered work environment characterized by dedication to the agency mission and a deep respect for diversity and inclusion. We are excited to announce a new position within the HR Benefits Team, the Benefits Specialist, a key position in the Human Resources Department. We are seeking applicants with demonstrated HR skills and knowledge to support the overall employee experience at CPCS. The Benefits Specialist will act as the Department liaison with a variety of providers of state benefits and assist the Benefits Manager in overseeing all aspects of Leaves of Absence and Reasonable Accommodation process and lead other benefit administration functions. The Benefits Specialist will work closely with the HR generalists and will regularly communicate with CPCS employees as well as individuals in other state agencies and organizations. The Benefits Specialist will report to the Benefits Manager. This position will be located in Boston but eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field and at least four (4) years of human resources experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills
Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely
Fundamental knowledge of a broad array of HR topics related to employee benefits, compensation, hiring, and onboarding
Proficiency in Microsoft Office systems, including Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Windows, and the Internet
Ability to maintain confidentiality and to exercise considerable judgment and discretion
Excellent customer service and communication skills
Knowledge of both Federal and State FMLA, ADA, ACA, and EEO regulations
Demonstrated ability to multi-task, performing multiple tasks independently and concurrently
Ability to take initiative, to work well independently and as a team member
Ability to handle a wide variety of duties and work within the HR team to provide best customer service to CPCS staff
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience making presentations

Nice To Haves

knowledge of PeopleSoft HRIS preferred

Responsibilities

Acting as the subject matter expert on leaves administration and support the Benefits Manager with managing all leaves of absence
Assisting in overseeing the Reasonable Accommodation process
Supporting the Benefits Manager with coordinating and managing Wellness Programs
Working as a key member of the CPCS HR team supporting on-boarding, benefits, and departures
Assisting with employees leaving the agency, including around health insurance, pension, and other documentation
Serving as the Healthcare GIC/FSA Coordinator, managing all benefit programs, including the implementation of our Annual Open Enrollment
Serving as the Commonwealth SMART Plan coordinator, responsible for managing and inputting monthly SMART Plan deductions into HRCMS
Serving as the Commuter Benefits coordinator, managing benefit elections, troubleshooting issues, resolving problems, and running reports to verify data accuracy deductions
Handling new hire paperwork for the MA State Retirement Board and serving as a resource for employees regarding issues related to the MA State Retirement system
Assisting the HR Team with special projects as assigned and provide back-up for other HR staff when needed
Providing excellent customer service to all who interact with the HR Unit by responding in a timely, accurate, respectful, and professional manner to customer service questions and requests
Other duties as assigned