CDOC - Human Resources Specialist III (Benefits Specialist)

State of Colorado Job Opportunities

Colorado Springs, CO

Job Details

Full-time

$4,809 - $7,695 a month

1 day ago

Benefits

Wellness program Paid holidays Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Tuition reimbursement 401(k) matching Opportunities for advancement Life insurance

Qualifications

Bilingual Microsoft Word Benefits administration Workers' compensation law Spanish Google Suite Microsoft Excel Microsoft Access 6 years FMLA Customer service Curriculum development Writing skills Adobe Captivate HIPAA OC Certification English Technical support Microsoft Office High school diploma or GED Driver's License Canva Corrections facility medical clinic Human resources SHRM Certified Professional Professional In Human Resources Workers' compensation Senior level Communication skills

Full Job Description

Department Information

This position is only open to Colorado state residents. This posting may be used to fill future vacancies at this location. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and builds greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado. Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more effective and efficient. In addition to a great agency and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer: Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system; Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans. Member Contribution Rates. Correctional Officers I-IV qualify as "Safety Officers" and are eligible for increased PERA benefits; Medical and dental health plans; Short and long term disability coverage; Paid life insurance; 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave; Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more; Visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits. for more information.

Description of Job

The Employee Benefits Unit plays a critical role in the effective administration of the agency's comprehensive employee leave and benefits programs. This unit is responsible for ensuring the accurate management of employee benefits, Workers' Compensation, FMLA, and FAMLI leave, all while upholding compliance with state and federal regulations. The unit's primary goal is to support staff by providing expert guidance on leave policies, benefits administration, and regulatory requirements, ensuring that all employees receive equitable and timely access to the benefits and resources available to them. Additionally, we have developed the Employee Benefits Wellness Team to promote the overall well-being and mental health of the agency's staff by coordinating and delivering comprehensive wellness programs, peer support initiatives, and mental health resources designed to foster a well-supported and resilient workforce.

Provide direction and coordination to appointing authorities, employees, supervisors, medical providers, legal counsel, other Human Resources personnel, workers' compensation claims adjusters, and CDOC executives regarding the administration of rules, regulations, and procedures for the state workers' compensation program, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), donated leave, and fitness for duty;
Maintain and provide excellent customer service to all stakeholders while building professional relationships with outside sources for the most up-to-date and beneficial resources available;
Understand FML, FAMLI, Workers' Compensation, Short-Term Disability, and other protected leave to support staff navigation of leave and provide appropriate supplementary resources;
Teach and assist staff about State Benefits, the BenefitSolver platform, and how outside resources may supplement and support their insurance and other benefit programs;
Provide oversight of the CDOC staff peer support program - Employee Support Program (ESP) and the Volunteer Staff Chaplains, connecting facilities and staff with these resources as well as the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) to support resilience and connectedness across our teams;
Support benefits administration including open enrollment, supplement program, qualifying life events, and new hire onboarding;
Facilitate communication between internal and external stakeholders;
Plan, execute, and evaluate communication methods and services;
Collaborate with DPA and insurance professionals to monitor and influence insurance benefit needs;
Solicit input from treatment providers and community partners to strengthen the services provided to employees;
Attend DPA Benefits meetings and training as needed to stay up to date and knowledge of insurance and resources available at the state level such as the State of Health wellness program to be a subject matter expert and valued partner for State of Colorado Benefits;
Provide rule interpretation, consultation, and guidance, as well as initiate and track improvements to the wellness initiative;
Travel to locations within the State of Colorado;
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Six (6) years of Human Resources experience performing Employee Benefits functions. -OR- A combination (that equals 6 years) of higher education from an accredited college and experience in Human Resources or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned. Any work experience less than full time will be prorated. Experience must be clearly described, in your own words, within the work experience section of your application to meet this requirement. Positions held within CDOC must be separated by classification, dates, and duties or the application may not be accepted. Ensure that the 'Work Experience" section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for . This information will be used to help determine compensation for the position. "See resume" statements cannot be accepted in lieu of the "work experience" section of the application. Additional work experience will not be accepted after the job announcement close date for compensation purposes.

Required Competencies :

Strong customer service skills; Ability to work independently, predict needs of customers and take initiative; Excellent written/verbal communication skills Self-directed, motivated, resourceful, and detail-oriented; Creativity and ability to be innovative; Excellent interpersonal skill with the ability to positively influence diverse audiences; Strong ability to collaborate and develop professional partnerships; Proficient skills in Microsoft Office: Word, Access and Excel and Google Suite; Strong problem-solving skills; Ability to remain flexible and handle a large workload; Ability to be a strong team member; Ability to read and comprehend the English language; Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing; Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.

Preferred Qualifications :

Experience with Employee Benefits; Experience with Employee Leave including FMLA, FAMLI, HFWA, and PWFA; Experience with Employee Wellness programs and understanding of wellness in high-stress corrections environments; Professional experience in the Fair Labor Standards Act, HIPAA, Family/Medical Leave Act, and the Workers Compensation Act; Experience in gathering, researching, interpreting, and reporting statistical data; Strong working knowledge of governmental benefits and leave processes; Any HR-related certifications such as SHRM-CP/PHR; Any Wellness-related certifications such as HRSI Workplace Wellness Certification or Master Resilience Trainer Certification; Any specialized certifications in Mediation or Restorative Justice; Proficient with Adobe Captivate, Canva, and/or other presentation software; Bilingual - Ability to effectively communicate fluently in Spanish both verbally and in writing; Experience developing curriculum and giving presentations and training, both in-person and virtual.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Assessment Process :

Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum Qualifications (MQ's). Applicants that meet MQ's will be included in the Comparative Analysis process. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis which may include, but is not limited to, a suitability screening, eSkills Assessment, oral assessment, written performance assessment or it may include a review of your application material and your responses to any supplemental questions by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assess and rank applicants in order to establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including language models, to create, write, or alter any portion of responses throughout any step of the assessment process may result in the disqualification of an applicant. Be sure the "Work Experience" section of your application is complete and specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, and accomplishments as they relate to the Description of the Job , Minimum Qualifications , Required Competencies and Preferred Qualifications as listed above. Resumes and "see resume" statements will not be accepted in lieu of the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the closing date may result in your application not being accepted and/or may affect your score, rank or inclusion in the final pool of eligible applicants. Employees who are rehired or reinstated within six months of their separation will return at either their previous pay rate if hired into the same class level or based on their time in the class series, whichever is higher. Those rehired or reinstated after six months' separation will be calculated using the same formula for new hires and promotions. If you have transcripts, a license or other relevant documentation regarding your qualifications, upload and attach copies to your application. If an unofficial copy of transcripts is being submitted at the time of application, transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U. SS. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process. Under the Job Application Fairness Act (SB 23-058), applicants may redact information from certifications and transcripts that identify their age, date of birth or dates of attendance from an educational institution. In order to process a background investigation, your application must include at least (10) ten years of the most current work experience unless experience related to the job for which you are applying is later than (10) years. Failure to provide this information could result in delays and/or elimination from the background investigation process.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support:

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e. gg. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).

Helpful hints:

if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it. •You are encouraged to print a copy of this announcement for your records•

Conditions of Employment:

All job offers are contingent upon a successful medical screening by a healthcare professional, certifying the candidate's ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Applicant must consent to hold harmless CDOC and its agents and staff from any liability arising in whole or in part from the testing and the use of this information in connection with CDOC's consideration of application for employment. Must be 21 years of age Possess a valid driver's license. Drivers must maintain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver license, obey traffic laws, and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. State drivers are expected to maintain a safe driving record consistent with Colorado Division of Human Resources Universal Policy Driving Standards (Download PDF reader). Eligibility to drive a State-owned vehicle, includes holding a valid Colorado driver's license within 30 days of employment or residency change and meeting specific driving record criteria. Serious traffic violations, including DUIs or reckless driving, can disqualify drivers for up to seven years. All State Vehicles are monitored by telematics for safe operation and employees have no reasonable expectation of privacy while using an agency State Fleet vehicle. Possess a high school diploma or GED Have NO felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U. SS. CC. 301; U. SS. CC. 509, 510; 42 U. SS. CC. 15601-15609. The CDOC shall not hire nor promote anyone who may have contact with an offender who has engaged in sexual abuse which includes acts, activity, and sexual behavior, in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U. SS. CC. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph. The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDOC uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. CDOC does not sponsor non-residents of the United States. Successfully pass all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows Swing a baton in a striking technique Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic; Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and will be exposed while on assignment Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings Willing and able to travel Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire Successful completion of a background investigation is required. Should applicant's background reveal criminal charges, it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide the Department of Corrections with written/official disposition of any charges. The CDOC is committed to a work environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol. Employees (see exception below) may use marijuana in their personal time but are prohibited from working while under the influence of any substance, including marijuana. A drug test will be administered to all new employees; employees must successfully pass. Random drug screening will occur throughout employment.

Exception:

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified employees are prohibited from the use of marijuana. Health care professionals must check their licensing requirements regarding marijuana use.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ( ), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action. For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb. ccolorado. ggov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb. ccolorado. ggov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

After submitting an application, you should receive an email acknowledging your submission. If you do not get the email, please check to ensure you have actually submitted the application and typed the correct email address on the application. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked daily as time sensitive correspondence WILL take place via email. You may receive email notifications from a Colorado Dept. of Corrections employee or from this email address: . It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email; if you do not receive correspondence soon after the closing date or if you have questions about this job announcement, please contact Jennifer LaDuke at .

SCHEDULED DATES OF POSSIBLE APPLICANT ASSESSMENTS (I. EE., EXAMS, ORAL BOARDS, WRITTEN EXAMS) WILL NOT BE MADE UP. IF YOU FAIL TO SHOW AT THE APPOINTED DATE/TIME, MAKE-UPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Corrections is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Employee Relations Specialist, Ana Andersen, at or call 719-723-3998.

ALL DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS ARE TOBACCO FREE. WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PROTECTED CLASSES TO APPLY.