2H67
PERSONNEL PROGRAM SPECIALIST

• Supervises and serves as the internal expert for the City administered plan of medical benefits, flexible benefits for non-represented employees, life insurance plans for non-uniformed employees, and the secondary placement of employees injured on duty; contacts City departments, employees, other government agencies and various private entities to provide and/or obtain information on employee benefit matters.
• Supervises, through subordinate supervisors, the activities of a clerical staff engaged in processing claims, maintaining records and informing employees of specific benefits, regulations and other provisions; assists staff in answering questions or making eligibility determinations on the more difficult and controversial benefits claims.
• Participates in the preparation of requests for proposals from prospective insurance carriers to obtain best employee coverage and cost to city; participates in the evaluation of services, coverage, and options available through insurance carriers, to identify proposals that best meet the needs of the City.
• Serves as primary liaison with benefits consultants and insurance carriers; compiles and evaluates statistical and other data to prepare various reports; provides data and reports to consultants and insurance company representatives; may represent the Director in meetings to discuss administration of benefits programs and changes in health benefits.
• Analyzes existing benefits policies of organization, and prevailing practices among similar organizations; researches, develops and recommends revisions to existing benefits programs./li>

• Acts as principal contact between Personnel Department and one or more municipal labor unions; provides staff assistance to the City's negotiating team in the preparation of background studies on issues and demands for union-management contract negotiations; researches and prepares presentations concerning wage and benefit practices and trends; attends and participates in negotiations with employee organizations; revises existing or prepares new civil service regulations necessary to implement contract agreements and interest arbitration awards; acts as management representative and contract with union officials on matters pertaining to the administration and interpretation of contract and arbitration awards; disseminates information to departmental and city officials regarding changes in personnel practices and procedures as a result of negotiation or arbitration.
• Advises departmental officials on courses of action concerning disciplinary cases and other matters which affect the wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment as covered by contract; develops proposals for the application of city-wide standards and procedures in disciplinary matters; represents management in the hearing, negotiation and settlement of grievances including arbitration.

• Plans and determines training and development program objectives and goals; assesses training needs throughout city government and recommends appropriate policies, programs and priorities; develops program staffing requirements, budgets and schedules; coordinates activities and functions with other personnel and departmental programs; provides policy direction and procedures for training officers of the various City departments; establishes and maintains record keeping systems pertaining to scheduling, billing and reporting of educational and training activities.
• Evaluates training proposals submitted by vendors; evaluates training program curriculum, course material and instructional plan; observes demonstrations of training programs; selects training and development programs for inclusion in the city program; customizes training programs to meet specific needs; identifies external funding sources for training programs; negotiates fees; establishes criteria to determine course and program effectiveness; evaluates performance of outside training consultants.
• Confers with City agency officials and training specialists on the development of training programs to resolve operational and managerial problems; reviews requests for training leave and specialized training provided by consultants to determine conformity to City procedures and regulations; approves or disapproves requests.
• Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the work of analysts and clerks engaged in developing and administering training and development programs for a variety of organizations and employees.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles and practices of public personnel and merit system administration.
• the civil service regulations and union contracts pertinent to the area of specialization.
• the principles, practices and techniques of personnel analysis required to evaluate, revise and develop personnel programs in the area of specialization.
• supervisory principles and practices.
• the principles and practices of developing and conducting training programs for topics relevant to the area of specialization.
• standard computer software packages used for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and database management.

ABILITY TO:

• train and develop personnel analysts to become competent in the area of specialization.
• analyze personnel issues and problems and to exercise sound judgment within established rules and regulations in arriving at conclusions.
• plan, supervise and coordinate the activities of subordinates.
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish effective working relationships with associates, employees, departmental representatives and union officials.
• develop and maintain computerized records and a data base for the area of specialization.

BENEFITS SPECIALTY ONLY

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• current trends, developments and practices in medical benefits plans.
• civil service regulations, and state and federal legislation affecting City benefits programs.

ABILITY TO:

• supervise the activities of a clerical staff through subordinate supervisors.
• read and interpret benefits related legislation, regulations and guidelines.
• compile benefits data and prepare reports for consultants and providers.
• participate in the preparation of requests for proposals (RFP).
• analyze proposals and identify the proposals that best meet needs of the City.

LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALTY ONLY

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles, practices and current developments pertaining to collective bargaining, labor arbitration grievance, and disciplinary processes, and labor laws.
• the principles, practices and techniques used in preparation for and participation in grievance arbitration.

ABILITY TO:

• negotiate agreements between management and unions.
• interpret labor contracts, labor laws, civil service regulations and work practices.
• elicit information from employees, and departmental and union representatives concerning disputes and grievances and develop settlements satisfactory to the parties concerned.
• analyze contract provisions, work conditions, salary structures and practices and other factors relevant to preparation for collective bargaining.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALTY ONLY

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• current trends, developments and theories in training and development.
• adult education and in-service training principles, practices, and techniques.

ABILITY TO:

• assess training and development needs.
• plan, develop, conduct and evaluate training and development.
• evaluate training proposal quality and cost and select the best available program
• negotiate agreements with training vendors.
• select and adapt available material and to prepare original material for training needs.
• speak effectively before groups.

EDUCATION

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.
AND


EXPERIENCE

• Five years of personnel analysis experience, one year of which shall have been at the supervisory level in the area of specialization.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.