Union Exempt - Human Resources Specialist (Benefits/Coaches) @ Learning Services Center

Moses Lake School District 161•Moses Lake, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Human Resources Specialist – Benefits/Coaches serves a critical role in supporting the District’s employees and overall operational effectiveness by ensuring the accurate administration of employee benefits, retirement systems, leaves, and related human resources functions. This position serves as a key resource for staff, administrators, coaches, and retirees by providing knowledgeable guidance, responsive customer service, and technical expertise in complex benefit and compliance matters. In addition to leading benefits administration and regulatory compliance, the position oversees important human resources processes related to coaching staff, including job postings, hiring coordination, contract processing, payroll documentation, separations, and salary placement verification. The position is responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, collective bargaining agreements, and district policies while supporting recruitment, employee records management, substitute coordination, coaching processes, and other essential HR operations. Through collaboration, professionalism, and attention to detail, this role helps ensure employees receive timely support and services that contribute to a positive and effective work environment across the district.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent, AA degree or equivalent or comparable work experience.
Demonstrated three (3) years of successful Employee Human Resources experience preferred.
Demonstrated understanding of SEBB Program rules (WAC 182-30/31), DRS regulations, FMLA/PFML, Affordable Care Act (ACA), and COBRA preferred.
Must have excellent communication, interpersonal, planning/organization, and problem solving skills.
Must have a proven record of observing confidentiality.
Must have a proven record of punctuality, dependability, and consistent attendance.
Must have advanced computer and employee records management skills.
Understanding of and experience in properly applying federal, state, and district rules, regulations, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements relating to all aspects of human resources.
Ability to interpret and apply labor contract provisions relating to employee rights and responsibilities.
Demonstrated proficiency in verbal and written skills, including correct grammar, spelling, and English usage.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment to organize, set priorities, and coordinate activities.
Demonstrated ability to work within designated bounds of authority.
Ability to work accurately and efficiently under pressure with frequent interruptions, while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with staff and the public.
Ability to work a flexible schedule at times to meet deadlines and schedules of employees and special projects.
Strong analytical and time management skills.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated three (3) years of successful Employee Human Resources experience
Demonstrated understanding of SEBB Program rules (WAC 182-30/31), DRS regulations, FMLA/PFML, Affordable Care Act (ACA), and COBRA

Responsibilities

Serve as a department liaison with employees regarding their benefits.
Coordinate the full lifecycle of employee benefits, including onboarding new hires, monthly eligibility monitoring, processing mid-year qualifying life events, and managing terminations within state-mandated timelines.
Lead the Annual Open Enrollment process, managing plan changes, FSA/DCAP elections, and HSA adjustments to ensure accurate coverage starting January 1st.
Independently manage the Benefits 24/7 platform, including eligibility determination, enrollment auditing, plan changes, and dependent verification.
Manage retirement system reporting and compliance, including DRS member verifications and retirement documentation; manage monthly transmittals and payments in compliance with PERS/SERS/TRS regulations, DCP/457 contribution limits, and ROTH requirements for highly compensated employees.
Reconcile monthly benefits vendor billing statements against payroll deductions in WESPaC to ensure accuracy and prevent overpayment.
Respond to vendor requests.
Oversee ACA (Affordable Care Act) reporting, including the auditing of monthly 1095-C codes and year-end data transmission in accordance with IRS/ACA regulations.
Administer benefits continuity for employees on leave, including eligibility monitoring and the coordination of self-pay processes.
Organize, set priorities, and meet inflexible deadlines under considerable pressure.
Maintain a positive, productive, and cooperative relationship with staff.
Develop effective user-friendly information that is available to all employees to ensure clarity with regard to schedules, processes, resolution of concerns, and response to questions.
Independently perform a variety of complex and detailed tasks quickly with a high degree of accuracy.
Protect confidential information consistent with district ethical guidelines and state/federal laws.
Interact professionally and respectfully with staff and the public in all forms of communication, verbal and written.
Provide exemplary customer service.
Delegate tasks as appropriate and necessary.
Demonstrate confidence and professionalism when meeting the public.
Remain flexible when handling numerous interruptions.
Oversee and manage employee leaves of absence; coordinate the district attendance management program in cooperation with district administrators and supervisors.
Oversee the coordination of coaching staff, including job postings, hiring, issuing contracts, submitting pay contracts to payroll, separations, and tracking all relevant information.
Exercise judgment to appropriately refer matters to administrators as needed.
Maintain employee files, including personnel, medical, electronic, investigative, etc.
Respond to unemployment, workers compensation, and other agency requests for employee information.
Compile data for use in collective bargaining, including comparisons of wages, benefits, and contract language.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and act as a resource for district employees, supervisors, and administrators.
Prepare confidential letters, memos, various forms, and other documents.
Perform routine office tasks that include filing, mailings, and reception.
Administer applicant testing.
Develop and process job postings and required documentation in recruitment software for certificated, classified, substitute, and coaching positions.
Collect, verify, and organize all necessary paperwork for employees, substitutes, and coaches being processed for employment.
Research, compile, and prepare reports.
Issue and track NORA (Notice of Reasonable Assurance) for all employees.
Track substitute hours for all substitutes.
Process requests for Emergency Substitute Certification (EST) for classified staff and substitutes.
Assist building and department administrators in coordinating substitute staff assignments.
Coordinate student teachers/interns and non-employees onsite for clearance and system access.
Record and monitor records for compliance with federal, state statutes and guidelines, district policy, and collective bargaining agreements.
Provide support and assistance for users of the Absence Management software system for attendance and substitute assignments.
Assist with collective bargaining and with the interpretation of the collective bargaining agreements as requested.
Work cooperatively with the Administration Office staff to facilitate completion of work within timelines.
Process purchase orders using the WESPaC system and process all required attachments for payment.
Coordinate and develop orientation and annual training programs.
Process employment verifications as needed.
Process verifications of experience for substitutes and coaches for salary placement.
Provide back-up to other HR specialists and other positions in the office as directed.
Assist with the development, interpretation, and administration of human resources policy and procedures.
Maintain archived files in accordance with retention requirements.
Perform other job-related duties as required.