Human Resources Manager-Recruitment & Benefits

City of Fairfax•Va 22030, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Human Resources Director, performs professional and technical work managing the City's recruitment, benefits administration, and employee onboarding programs. The incumbent oversees the full recruitment lifecycle, administers employee and retiree benefit plans, and manages the City's relationship with benefits carriers and third-party vendors. The position serves as the City's primary resource for talent acquisition strategy and benefits program management. Work requires the exercise of independent professional judgment in the administration of complex programs affecting all City employees. The position does not carry formal supervisory authority over other HR staff but exercises functional oversight and coordination authority within assigned program areas. The incumbent also assists the HR Director with other human resources functions and special projects as assigned. Work is reviewed and evaluated by the HR Director through conferences, reports, and results achieved.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, plus a minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional-level human resources experience with demonstrated responsibility in at least one of the following areas: recruitment and talent acquisition, employee benefits administration or coordination, or HR generalist administration in a public sector or government environment; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Ability to manage complex and concurrent HR programs independently, exercise sound judgment on sensitive employment matters, and maintain accurate program records across a broad portfolio of HR functions.
Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently are required.
Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and legal requirements governing employee recruitment, selection, and hiring in a public sector environment, including equal employment opportunity law and applicable Virginia and federal employment statutes.
Thorough knowledge of employee benefits program administration, including health, dental, life, and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA, ACA compliance requirements, and Medicare coordination obligations.
Knowledge of HR information systems, including applicant tracking systems, HRIS platforms, and timekeeping systems; ability to serve as a system administrator and support system users across the organization.
Knowledge of the Virginia Retirement System and City defined benefit retirement plan provisions sufficient to advise employees on retirement timing implications for benefits coverage and retiree health insurance enrollment.
Ability to administer complex employee benefits programs, analyze benefits utilization and claims data, and develop recommendations for plan design improvements and cost management.
Ability to manage the full recruitment lifecycle independently, including developing job postings, designing selection procedures, evaluating candidates, and producing offers in compliance with City policy and applicable law.
Ability to counsel employees individually on benefits, retirement and related matters, exercising sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
Ability to interpret and apply City administrative regulations, personnel policies, and applicable federal and state law; ability to advise supervisors, employees, and department heads on policy requirements and compliance obligations.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, including preparing clear and accurate reports and correspondence and presenting information to employee groups in a professional and accessible manner.
Ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing operational demands.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications; skill in the use of HRIS platforms, applicant tracking systems, and HR analytics tools.

Nice To Haves

Professional human resources certification, such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or PSHRA-CP.
Experience in public sector human resources administration, including federal, state, or local government environments.
Experience administering retiree health insurance programs or advising employees on retirement benefit continuation options.
Experience with Tyler Munis, NEOGOV, UKG, or comparable HR information systems.
Experience conducting benefits benchmarking or participating in total compensation studies.

Responsibilities

Manages the full recruitment lifecycle for all City career service and temporary positions, including developing job postings, designing advertising strategies, coordinating outreach, and administering structured selection procedures in coordination with hiring departments.
Ensures all recruitment activity complies with City policy, equal employment opportunity requirements, and applicable law.
Administers the City's applicant tracking system (NEOGOV), including system configuration, posting setup, user account management, and hiring manager training.
Prepares user guides and provides ongoing support to department liaisons and applicants.
Coordinates pre-employment processing for all selected candidates, including background checks, reference verification, pre-employment physicals, and drug screens.
Prepares and issues conditional and final offer letter, confirms start dates and onboarding logistics with hiring departments and initiates onboarding.
Coordinates and conducts new employee orientation and onboarding for all incoming City employees.
Develops and maintains onboarding materials and coordinates with hiring departments on role-specific onboarding activities during the first ninety days of employment.
Administers the City's employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and health savings programs; serves as the primary liaison and contract administrator with all benefits vendors, carriers, and third-party administrators.
Administers the City's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including vendor relationship management, employee and supervisor referral process administration, and program communications; coordinates with the HR Director on EAP program design and utilization reporting.
Upon receiving separation notification, initiates benefits termination processing, and final leave payout calculation in coordination with the HR Systems Specialist.
Ensures separating employees receive all required notices, including information on conversion rights, deferred compensation options, and applicable post-employment obligations.
Advises employees on benefit plan provisions, eligibility rules, and enrollment procedures throughout the year; responds to inquiries from active employees, retirees, and dependents regarding coverage, claims, and plan administration, and conducts benefits education sessions as plan design, premiums, or regulatory requirements change.
Analyzes benefits utilization, enrollment trends, and claims experience annually to identify plan design improvements and cost management opportunities; advises the HR Director on recommended changes to plan design, carriers, or procedures.
Plans and coordinates the annual open enrollment period, including enrollment materials, employee communications, and the annual benefits fair.
Reviews benefit plan performance and recommends plan design or carrier changes to the HR Director as warranted.
Administers Affordable Care Act compliance reporting, Medicare Part D notices, and retiree health insurance on the required regulatory calendar.
Administers notification of continuation coverage processes for separating employees and dependents.
Maintains recruitment and benefits metrics; prepares periodic reports for the HR Director.
Assists with fringe benefit cost projections for the annual budget submission.
Assists with the review and revision of administrative regulations within the recruitment and benefits functional domain.
Interprets and applies federal and state laws and City administrative regulations governing recruitment, benefits, advises the HR Director of regulatory developments with potential policy or operational impact.
Responds to FOIA requests for recruitment and benefits records in coordination with the HR Director and City Attorney's office.
Performs related duties as assigned in support of the overall Human Resources Department mission.