Human Resources Generalist - Benefits

Broward County•Fort Lauderdale, FL

About The Position

The Human Resources Generalist works in Broward County’s Human Resources Division, Employee Benefits Services section, advising and assisting clients across Human Resources functions, with a focus on employee benefits. The role supports an assigned agency by interpreting County policies, procedures, and benefit plan provisions; providing referrals and professional guidance; and responding to confidential, time-sensitive questions from employees, retirees, COBRA participants, supervisors, managers, and external clients. The position administers and analyzes employee benefits and welfare programs, explains eligibility and enrollment requirements, helps resolve benefit discrepancies, coordinates with insurance carriers and third-party administrators, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It requires knowledge of benefit-related laws and programs, including IRC Section 125, COBRA, HIPAA, PPACA, SECURE Act 2.0, the Florida Retirement System, and FMLA. The successful candidate provides high-level customer service and serves as an employee advocate and first point of contact for benefit issues. The position also supports new-hire benefits orientation and paperwork, qualifying-event changes, COBRA and retirement counseling, annual open enrollment, benefits paperwork auditing, HR communications and records, tracking systems and databases, training, employee engagement, wellness programs, and special projects. The general description states that the role works under general supervision while independently developing work methods and sequences. Additional duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in business or public administration, human resources, or a related field; one year of relevant experience may substitute for each year of required education.
Two years of human resources generalist work specifically in employee benefits administration, including administration of health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, and/or other employee benefit programs.
Knowledge of benefit-plan laws and regulations, including IRC Section 125 Cafeteria Plans, COBRA, HIPAA, PPACA, SECURE Act 2.0, Florida Retirement System, and FMLA.
Strong analytical skills and knowledge of HR best practices.
Strong proficiency in Adobe and Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and excellent verbal, written, and presentation abilities.
Ability to build strong business relationships with staff and management at all levels.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to provide professional, confidential, and responsive customer service.
Ability to research and interpret policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, human resources, or a closely related field.
Active HR certification: HRCI-SPHR, IPMA-SCP, or SHRM-SCP.
Active HR certification: HRCI-PHR, IPMA-CP, SHRM-CP, or CBS.
Two or more years of HRIS experience, such as PeopleSoft.
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (CEBS) certification.
WorldatWork (CBP) certification.
Two or more years of government benefits experience.

Responsibilities

Provide advisement and customer service to internal and external clients, including answering questions about County policies and procedures, interpreting and administering union contracts, and making referrals.
Interpret benefit plan provisions and explain eligibility and enrollment requirements to employees and other participants.
Administer and analyze employee benefits plans and welfare programs for employees, retirees, and COBRA participants.
Respond to confidential, time-sensitive benefits questions and serve as an employee advocate and first point of contact for benefit discrepancies and issues.
Coordinate with insurance carriers and third-party administrators and work with carriers to resolve complex benefits issues.
Conduct benefits orientations for new hires and process new-hire paperwork and qualifying-event changes.
Counsel employees regarding COBRA and retirement.
Audit and review new-hire and benefits-change paperwork for accurate data entry and completeness.
Assist with annual open-enrollment activities.
Research HR policies, procedures, laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, compensation and total-reward trends, best practices, and interview questions.
Support recruitment and onboarding activities, including announcing vacancies, prescreening, rating and interviewing applicants, assisting with executive recruitments, and reviewing forms and paperwork.
Assist with employee counseling, discipline, grievances, labor contract negotiations, probation extensions and rejections, performance appraisals, performance improvement plans, sick-leave monitoring, FMLA matters, and pre-discipline and discipline meetings.
Perform reclassification and salary-adjustment reviews, participate in salary surveys, and review new-hire and other employment-action paperwork.
Advise and guide employees and clients on employee and labor relations and other HR matters to support compliance and minimize liability; provide labor-relations training.
Lead or contribute to special projects that support HR goals, best practices, and process improvements.
Proofread, review, and edit HR documents, reports, correspondence, and internal communications for accuracy, clarity, ADA compliance, and alignment with HR policies and procedures.
Respond promptly and professionally to HR and benefits-related communications; research issues, provide information, resolve routine inquiries, and escalate complex matters appropriately.
Develop, update, and maintain HR tracking systems and databases.
Coordinate activities supporting HR initiatives such as training, employee engagement, and wellness programs.
Maintain organized electronic and physical personnel filing systems in accordance with retention requirements and audit or review needs.
Perform related work and additional duties as assigned.