As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 92,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. The City is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision. We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.
Reporting to the Manager, Payroll, Advantages & HRIS, the Benefits Specialist is responsible for the overall administration of the City’s employee benefits, sick leave plans, and pension programs, while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, processes and practices.

Key Responsibilities
Responsible for employee benefits administration, communicating with employees and benefit providers, the oversight of enrollment eligibility and coordination of benefit, sick plan, and pension enrolment, processing of changes and terminations, and investigation and resolving plan and enrollment issues
Prepare cheque requisitions and completes monthly benefit reconciliation
Responsible for all retirements, includes supporting employees with their retirement documentation, calculating retirement payments or benefits the employee may be eligible for, and completing the related paperwork to submit to Payroll for processing
As the primary contact for Pension Purchase of Service for employees wishing to purchase their non-contributory pensionable service or to purchase a leave of absence, will receive and process the purchase of service applications submitted by employees, as well as answer inquiries pertaining to a purchase of service for pension




Enters and updates employee benefit enrollment information in the City's HRIS system (JDE) and the benefit carrier systems
Issues cessation of benefit letters for all employees who have perks and are leaving their employment with the City
Works closely with the Payroll Team, advising of new enrollments and benefit/MPP changes or adjustments
Primary point of contact for all employee related inquiries regarding benefit programs as they relate to applicable Collective Agreements and City policies
Works closely with the HR Team and the Health, Safety and Wellness Team regarding employee sick banks, sick leave usage, and transitions to long term leave options
Develops guides and other resources to improve benefit awareness for staff
Ensures timely and accurate enrollments, monthly reconciliation, payment remittance, adjustments and reporting to benefit carriers, and Municipal Pension Plan
Updates the payroll system with all benefit rate changes to match carrier premiums and comply with Collective Agreements
Participates in the resolution of complex benefit issues, changes and policy interpretation
Delivers exceptional service by providing accurate, clear and consistent advice, guidance and direction to staff and departments when presenting and relaying benefits information
Maintains confidentiality when handling employee benefits information and adheres to City policies and legal requirements regarding data privacy and confidentiality




Contributes to the ongoing development of the department by supporting and sharing knowledge with other team members to continually improve operational effeciency
Provides benefit related data as requested
Acts for the Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) Specialist on matters during the latter's absence
Performs related duties in keeping with the purpose and accountabilities of the job and all other duties as assigned
Qualifications
A diploma or degree in Human Resources Management of related field.
Minimum three to five years of direct experience in benefit administration in a complex unionized environment
Experience using ERP/HRIS systems such as JD Edwards (JDE)
Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation or working towards certification
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) is considered an asset
Excellent knowledge of provincial and federal legislation, collective agreements, and policies and procedures related to advantages administration
Knowledge of the practices and techniques related to benefits administration
Demonstrated ability to act with professionalism, diplomacy, and maintain confidentiality
Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills
Stong problem-solving and analytical skills to anticipate, identify, and make recommendations to resolve issues and impreovements in systems and processes
Ability to work positively and cohesively in a team setting, as well as on an individual basis
Ability to meet timelines and objectives and demonstrates persistence in overcoming obstacles
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)/HRIS systems

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📌 Benefits Specialist (British Columbia)
🏢 Newwestcity
📍 British Columbia