Review Vacancy
TitleHuman Resources Specialist 2
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $91549 to $123395 Annually
Duties Description The Human Resources Specialist 2 will provide the expertise and supervision needed to administer increasingly complex benefits programs, oversee staff, ensure compliance, and serve as the benefit unit's operational lead.
Duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Perform the full range of supervisory duties, including assigning and reviewing
work, establishing priorities, evaluating performance, providing coaching and
staff development, and ensuring accountability and customer service standards
are met.
• Plan, coordinate, administer, and evaluate employee benefits programs,
including health insurance, retirement, workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance, leave programs, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), dental, vision, life
insurance, domestic partner coverage, and other employee, retiree, survivor, and
dependent benefit programs.
• Serve as the Authority's technical expert and resource regarding benefits
administration; provide guidance and consultation to employees, supervisors,
managers, retirees, and executive staff concerning benefit eligibility, enrollment,
coverage, leave entitlements, retirement options, and program requirements.
• Interpret and apply Civil Service Law, Retirement and Social Security Law,
federal and state regulations, collective bargaining agreements, Authority
policies, and benefit program provisions to ensure compliant administration of
benefits programs.
• Oversee the administration of health insurance and related benefit programs,
including enrollments, qualifying life events, annual open enrollment activities,
premium administration, benefit changes, retiree health insurance, and
coordination with insurance carriers, vendors, and third-party administrators.
• Direct the administration of leave programs, including Family and Medical Leave
Act (FMLA), Paid Family Leave (PFL), Paid Parental Leave, disability benefits,
military leave, workers' compensation leave, voluntary leave programs, civil
service leave, floating holidays, and other statutory or negotiated leave benefits.
• Provide retirement counseling and assistance to employees regarding retirement
eligibility, retirement benefits, post-retirement health insurance, and related
retirement planning matters.
• Review and resolve complex benefits issues and eligibility determinations
involving active employees, retirees, dependents, survivors, leaves of absence,
health insurance coverage, retirement benefits, and related matters.
• Oversee benefits-related personnel transactions and ensure accurate and timely
processing within Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS), payroll
systems, and related databases.
• Coordinate benefits administration activities with various internal departments,
the Department of Civil Service, the New York State and Local Retirement
System, benefit providers, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and
other internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, guidelines, forms,
communications, training materials, and internal controls to support effective and
compliant benefits administration.
• Monitor and evaluate benefits programs for compliance with applicable laws,
regulations, contractual requirements, and organizational policies; identify risks,
recommend corrective actions, and implement process improvements.
• Research complex benefits-related issues and develop recommendations,
reports, correspondence, policies, statistical analyses, and other materials for
management review and decision-making.
• Analyze benefits utilization, trends, costs, regulatory changes, and program
effectiveness; prepare reports and recommendations to support operational
planning and program management.
• Coordinate and oversee employee and retiree communications, educational
programs, orientation sessions, workshops, outreach initiatives, and open
enrollment activities to promote understanding of available benefits and program
requirements.
• Manage and reconcile benefits data, records, audits, and reports to ensure
accuracy, confidentiality, compliance, and program integrity.
• Conduct audits and quality assurance reviews of benefits transactions,
enrollment records, leave administration activities, and related processes.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new benefits initiatives,
system enhancements, operational improvements, and special projects related to
benefits administration.
• Prepare correspondence, presentations, reports, and program documentation for
executive management, employees, retirees, and external agencies.
• Represent the Bureau of Personnel and Benefits Unit on internal committees,
workgroups, and organizational initiatives as assigned.
• Monitor shared communication channels, respond to inquiries, and provide
professional customer service to employees, retirees, dependents, managers,
and external stakeholders.
• Ensure the discreet handling of sensitive, confidential, and protected information
in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Utilize Human Resource Management Systems, Oracle PeopleSoft, SharePoint,
databases, reporting tools, Microsoft Office applications, and related
technologies to support program administration, reporting, and analysis.
• Conduct special studies and projects related to employee benefits, leave
administration, cost containment, regulatory compliance, and operational
effectiveness.
• Perform the full range of professional and supervisory responsibilities associated
with employee benefits administration and related duties as assigned.
Note: Travel may be required, some of which may be overnights.
Minimum Qualifications Current New York State employee with one year or more of qualifying permanent service allocated to a Grade 21 or above and eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 or Section 52.6 of the NYS Civil Service Law.
Additional Comments This is a competitive Management Confidential position. The NYS Thruway Authority offers an extensive benefits package, including but not limited to paid time off, sick leave incentive, membership to the NYS Retirement System, and 90% tuition assistance.
We offer FREE onsite employee parking.
Our telecommuting program offers up to 20% (two days per pay period) upon completion of at least three months of satisfactory performance and appropriate approvals. Additional policy guidelines and work hours may be discussed during the interview.
ADDITIONAL PAY INFORMATION:
The salary range for this position includes all applicable annual components of pay which are:
Base Pay: $84,549 hiring rate up to $116,395 job rate
Recruitment & Retention Pay: $7,000
ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT:
All potential candidates for this position must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment and throughout your employment with the New York State Thruway Authority. If appointed, you will be required to produce documents that verify your identity and authorization to work in the United States, as required by the Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Please be advised, the New York State Thruway Authority does not use eVerify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).
The New York State Thruway Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals including women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination based on age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, familial status, citizen or immigration status, sex, disability, marital status, gender identity or expression, prior arrests, prior conviction records, predisposing genetic characteristics or domestic violence victim status. The Thruway Authority is committed to a workplace free from discrimination based on the referenced characteristics and other federal and state protected characteristics.
The New York State Thruway Authority provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Bureau of Accessibility, Equity, Diversity and Employee Engagement at accommodations@thruway.ny.gov or call (518) 471-4321.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address CanvassReply@thruway.ny.gov
Address
Notes on ApplyingIf interested in this vacancy, you must submit a resume and any other documents for proof of eligibility to the contact information in this announcement. You must include the Vacancy ID and Title of the position you are applying for in your email.