Human Resources Benefits Specialist

Human Resources Benefits Specialist

Salary

$51,610.42 - $69,040.00 Annually

Location

City of Norfolk, Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

14229

Department

Human Resources

Opening Date

07/02/2026

Closing Date

7/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is Americas most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the worlds largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications.

In support of approximately 9,000 members and their dependents, the Norfolk Healthcare Consortium (compromised of the City of Norfolk, Norfolk Public Schools and Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing) provides high quality healthcare benefits at an affordable cost.

The Norfolk Healthcare Consortium Team (Consortium) is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Benefits Specialist, under the general supervision of the NHC Benefits Operations Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day support of benefits administration and retirement benefits. Performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for the daily benefit processing to include enrollments, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, medical and dental insurance, life, accident and disability, and retirement, etc.
• Answer benefit questions, research specific questions, and respond verbally or in writing as necessary.
• Processes and reviews benefit information ensuring that information is properly entered into the payroll/benefit system and staying informed of changes to benefit programs.
• Implements new and approved benefit plans and changes by preparing announcement material, booklets, and other media as well as conducting employee meetings for communicating new plans or changes to employees.
• Conducts employee benefit orientations, Annual Enrollment briefings and ensures employee understanding of benefit programs by regularly generating communication and counseling employees/dependents as situations arise.
• Resolves employee complaints related to benefit plans. Handles benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution.
• Acts as a resource for employees to ensure their understanding and compliance with benefit and HR policies and regulations.
• Keeps management advised of potential problem areas and recommends/implements solutions as appropriate.
• Monitors, administers, and communicates with employees matters regarding Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountabilities Act (HIPAA) and other federal and state laws ensuring compliance.
• Completes testing on benefit processes and reporting functionality related to, regular system updates/enhancements, and provider implementations as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

A Bachelors Degree in Human Resources/Benefits, Business Administration, or equivalent in education and experience.

One year of experience in employee benefits and/or HR administration or related field preferred.

Additional Information & Requirements

Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) , Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Group Benefits Associate (GBA)/Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred.

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

03

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employees full name, department, and job title, and your relationship to the employee. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

04

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher

05

How many years of experience do you possess in benefits administration?

• No experience
• Less than a year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• More than 5 years

06

Please describe your knowledge and experience as it relates to benefits administration and list the benefits you have administered. If no knowledge or experience, type N/A.

07

Select all the software programs and functions you have experience in. (Please note a skills assessment may be conducted at the time of interview.)

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Power Point
• Excel VLOOKUP
• Excel Pivot Tables
• Microsoft Power BI
• I do not have any experience with the above software programs.

08

Please describe your experience with benefits administration platforms such as Peoplesoft, Munis, etc. If no experience, type N/A.

09

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question

Employer City of Norfolk