Benefits Specialist

Position Summary

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering and coordinating employee benefits programs. This position provides benefits guidance to employees, ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and works closely with employees, retirement systems, insurance carriers, payroll, and agency leadership.

The Benefits Specialist handles sensitive employee information and supports benefits programs that may include health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement and pension plans, deferred compensation, workers’ compensation, leave programs, and other benefits available to employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefits programs in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, collective bargaining agreements, agency policies, and plan documents.
• Explain complex benefits information clearly to employees. 
• Process new-hire enrollments, benefit changes, qualifying life events, open enrollment elections, terminations, and other benefit transactions accurately and timely.
• Coordinate benefits administration with payroll to ensure accurate employee deductions, employer contributions, and benefit-related adjustments.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee benefits records and documentation.
• Assist employees with health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, pension, deferred compensation, and other benefit programs.
• Research and resolve employee benefit issues, including eligibility discrepancies, payroll deductions, insurance coverage concerns, and enrollment errors.
• Conduct benefits orientations for new employees and provide education during annual open enrollment periods.
• Prepare reports, audits, correspondence, and documentation related to benefits administration.
• Reconcile benefit invoices, payroll deductions, employer contributions, and enrollment records.
• Assist with annual benefits renewal and open enrollment activities.
• Monitor changes in federal and state benefits legislation and recommend administrative or procedural updates as necessary.
• Maintain compliance with applicable requirements, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ACA, and other relevant employment and benefits regulations, as applicable to the agency.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling personnel, medical, financial, retirement, and other protected employee information.
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Risk Management, department leadership, insurance carriers, retirement administrators, and employee representatives.
• Develop and maintain benefits procedures, employee communications, forms, FAQs, and educational materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 2–5 years of experience in employee benefits, human resources, payroll, retirement administration, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of employee benefits regulations and public-sector employment practices.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret policies, plan documents, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee information.
• Proficiency with HRIS, payroll, benefits administration systems, and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with a city, county, state, federal, sheriff’s office, police department, correctional facility, probation department, or other public agency.
• Professional certification such as CEBS, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR 
• Experience working with law enforcement or corrections personnel.

Core Competencies

• Benefits Administration
• Government HR Practices
• Retirement & Pension Administration
• Regulatory Compliance
• Employee Relations
• Collective Bargaining Agreement Interpretation
• Payroll & Benefits Reconciliation
• Data Accuracy & Recordkeeping
• Confidentiality & Discretion
• Customer Service
• Problem Solving
• Policy Interpretation
• Communication
• Attention to Detail
• HRIS/Benefits Systems

Working Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office and correctional facility environment. The position may require regular interaction with inmates and agency personnel and may involve exposure to stressful, sensitive, or confidential situations.

The employee must be able to work effectively in a secure correctional environment and comply with all applicable security procedures and agency policies.

Mental and Physical Requirements

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Duties and responsibilities may be modified or assigned as necessary to meet the operational needs of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Why Join OPSO?

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is undertaking a comprehensive modernization of its operational, financial, and administrative infrastructure. The Director of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing will play a critical leadership role in transforming procurement practices, strengthening internal controls, increasing operational efficiency, improving vendor and contract management, and ensuring the responsible stewardship of public resources in support of public safety.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining a highly qualified workforce dedicated to public service. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law