Personnel Technician (Benefit Services)

THE POSITION

THIS POSTING WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Application cut-off dates are the 15th and last day of each month.

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

Personnel Technicians in the Benefit Services Division of the Human Resources Departments play a crucial role in managing health and retirement benefits for over 8,000 City employees and retirees. This position involves conducting new employee orientations and retirement appointments, processing hiring documents and benefit enrollments using PeopleSoft 9.2 HCM, and ensuring accurate maintenance of enrollment data in coordination with the City's vendors. Additionally, Personnel Technicians address and resolve vendor-related issues on behalf of employees and retirees, while also maintaining comprehensive backup documentation in personnel files.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will be organized, adaptable, collaborative, approaches their work with attention to detail, and can complete assignments on time. In addition, the ideal candidate will have:
• Strong communication skills
• A commitment to providing high-quality customer service
• General knowledge of medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Experience working with external partners or vendors
• Hands-on experience using specialized software used for data management

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, the Personnel Technician performs a wide variety of technical human resources work in the areas of recruitment, testing, compensation, classification, selection, benefits, retirement, safety, training, career development, and other human resources functions in the Department of Human Resources; responds to inquiries and corresponds with a wide variety of individuals.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification is populated with multiple incumbents and is a bridge class between the clerical series and the professional analyst level. Incumbents perform a full range of standard work procedures, operations, tasks, duties, and responsibilities with little or no immediate supervision. Incumbents have some responsibility for carrying out and explaining existing policy, methods and/or procedures related to the duties of the position. The Personnel Technician is distinguished from lower-level clerical positions in that the Personnel Technician performs technical duties that require extensive technical knowledge or that duties are diversified and require application of independent judgment and discretion. This classification is distinguished from the higher classification of Personnel Analyst in that the Personnel Technician class performs a high proportion of routine duties and tasks, and the Personnel Analyst performs the full range of professional personnel work with little or no immediate supervision.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by a higher-level professional or management position. Functional and technical supervision may be provided by a Senior Personnel Analyst and to a lesser degree by a Personnel Analyst. Responsibilities of a Personnel Technician may include the technical or functional support of lower-level personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- Performs paraprofessional and technical personnel work.
- Implements recruitment plans, prepares recruitment materials, contacts organizations and media to advertise recruitment, screens applications; organizes and schedules test times, sites, proctors, and interview panels; proctors tests; assists in the design, development, preparation, and administration of employment tests.
- Assists in the performance of classification studies; develops or revises class specifications; gathers and compiles salary and benefit data from other agencies; organizes and presents information; responds to survey requests from other agencies.
- Assists in the administration of special employment programs; plans, develops, and conducts routine training sessions and workshops.
- Reviews applications for retirement benefits for compliance and qualifications; calculates pension benefits payable, complex retirement offsets, redeposits, and age rate corrections; explains benefit options; provides information to accountants and financial representatives.
- Receives, prepares, and processes health, life, and other insurance benefit claims; explains provisions of plans including IRS 125 plans, benefit options and deferred compensation plan provisions; reviews claims and collects and prepares appropriate data for claim determinations; assists employees and beneficiaries in the resolution of claims and benefits issues; assists in the development, preparation, and administration of benefit programs.
- Responds to inquiries from employees, retirees and beneficiaries; provides guidance regarding employment issues, classification procedures, benefit eligibility, retirement, entitlement, processes, and/or related concerns.
- Opens and investigates non-indemnity worker’s compensations claims; compiles and reviews claim and investigation information; delays or pays claims; computes medical and related expenses; assist and coordinates with adjusters on difficult claims issues.
- Conducts research as directed by professional staff or supervisors; gathers and compiles information and makes recommendations.
- Reviews and processes personnel transactions for the City payroll system, if applicable; identifies errors or deviations and resolves with department staff; updates and maintains the personnel/payroll system and/or pension payroll system; maintains a variety of personnel, workers compensation, benefit and retirement files.
- Interprets and applies City Charter, codes, ordinances, resolutions, legal opinions, Civil Service Rules and Regulations, labor agreements and other laws, rules, and regulations.
- Performs paraprofessional and technical duties in support of safety and training programs, if applicable.
- Performs other or related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

- Basic methods of recruitment, testing and selection processes.
- City Charter, codes, ordinances, resolutions, Civil Service Rules and regulations, personnel and payroll policies and procedures, and labor agreements.
- Terminology, methods, techniques, and practices of data collection, elementary statistics, report writing, and personnel administration.
- Basic principles, practices and procedures of benefits, personnel and retirement systems.
- Terminology, methods, techniques, and practices of benefits administration.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to benefits, retirement and personnel actions.
- Computers and computer applications including spreadsheets, databases, and word processing.
- Accepted record keeping and reporting procedures.
- Office procedures, methods, and equipment.

Skill in:

- Use of computers and computer applications and software.

Ability to:

- Understand, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, laws, and ordinances.
- Communicate clearly, correctly, and concisely, verbally and in writing.
- Collect data and prepare reports and correspondence.
- Interpret and edit written materials.
- Follow oral and written instructions.
- Perform arithmetical computations and elementary statistical manipulations.
- Operate a variety of office machines and equipment, including computers.
- Understand the organization and operation of the City.
- Analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action.
- Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Plan, coordinate, organize, and assign work to meet deadlines or conduct complex projects.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible journey level clerical experience, including a minimum of one year of paraprofessional support in a human resources environment.

Education:

Completion of 60 semester units from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public or business administration, economics, accounting, or a related field.

Substitution:

Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis.

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, economics, accounting, human resources, or a closely related field may substitute for the required experience.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the next posted cut-off date ;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and/or past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.

Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. If you’re requesting Veteran’s credit, a copy of your DD214 must be submitted online with your application or emailed to the Employment Office by the next posted cut-off date . Information regarding the use of Veteran’s credit can be found in the Civil Service Board rules under rule 4.9C. Applicants are responsible for attaching a copy of their DD214 to each position for which they apply.2. Training and Experience Exam: (Weighted 100%) - The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. The exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. When completing the T&E questions, please note:

• Responses to the T&E questions must be submitted online; paper questionnaires will not be accepted.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the T&E questions.

3. Eligibility: Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidate’s eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Personnel Technician examination.

4. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail)- All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of the top three ranks will have their application forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information
Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• City of Sacramento

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