Human Resources Specialist

The Florida Education Association (FEA) is the largest association of professional employees and the largest labor union in the Southeast, representing more than 120,000 members. FEA members include teachers, education staff professionals, higher education faculty and graduate assistants, retirees, education students, and early career educators. FEA represents the professional and working interests of its members and plays a prominent role in shaping state policies that affect public schools. FEA is a merged state association affiliated with both the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Position Summary

The Florida Education Association (FEA) seeks an experienced HR professional to join its Human Resources Department as a HR Specialist. The primary functions of this HR Specialist role include processing FEA’s payroll, producing payroll and leave reports, and managing health and welfare benefit plans and processes. This position serves as the subject matter expert on FEA’s health, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, FSA, and retirement plans. This position requires someone who enjoys helping others, naturally maintains confidentiality of sensitive information, works collaboratively, and thrives in a high-volume work environment.

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of progressive experience with processing employee payroll
• Proficiency with reconciling financial data and reports
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or other employee payroll systems
• Expert proficiency in Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel, and Word
• Ability to consistently display professionalism and provide high-quality employee support/service
• High-level attention to detail and accuracy

Highly Desired Qualifications

• At least five years of progressive experience managing employee health benefits
• A bachelor’s degree in human resources, accounting, business management, or a related field
• Experience with inputting, reconciling, and generating reports into and from Human Resources Information Systems
• Experience managing and reconciling employee leave benefits and reports
• Experience with creating employee communications regarding all types of benefits
• Experience with reviewing and processing health and welfare benefit invoices
• CPP, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP certification(s)
• Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of HR Administration and labor organization

Specific Responsibilities

1. Support the Director of HR with ensuring compliance with FEA’s policies and collective bargaining agreement with regards to compensation and benefits.
2. Manage FEA’s staff, service unit and locals payroll, including ensuring timely and accurate biweekly payroll processing.
3. Manage and monitor the accrual, use, and payout of employee leave benefits in accordance with FEA’s policies and collective bargaining agreement.
4. Manage enrollment of employees into FEA’s health, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, and FSA benefits, including annual open enrollment activities.
5. Manage the recordkeeping for all payroll and leave information in ADP or other HRIS systems.
6. Serve as the subject matter expert and assist employees with questions regarding FEA’s health, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, and FSA benefits, particularly during the onboarding phase and during significant/complex health issues.
7. Assist with the creation and dissemination of informational materials to employees related to all health and welfare benefits.
8. Assist with the management of FEA’s voluntary 401(k) retirement, NEA pension plan and FEA United Employee’s Retirement Plan.
9. Liaison with all benefit providers to ensure plan compliance and timely resolution of claims or employee questions and concerns.
10. Assist the HR Director with creating and implementing HR policies and process to increase efficiencies and employee support.
11. Assist with the preparation of agendas and confidential information for Joint Benefits Committee (JBC) and Labor Management Steering Committee (LMSC) meetings.
12. Assist the HR Director in tracking follow up items from the JBC and LMSC meetings.
13. Facilitate JBC Committee Meetings as directed or in absence of HR Director.
14. Assist the HR Director with gathering confidential information needed for disciplinary actions, grievances, and arbitrations.
15. Work closely with FEA’s finance department to provide financial reports and yearend audit documentation related to payroll and benefits.
16. Assist the HR Director and finance department with generating and calculating employee salary information, including 401(k) contributions, pension contributions, salary step increases for collective bargaining staff, and other compensation and leave data.
17. Ensure accuracy and prepare all employee benefit invoices for payment.
18. Work collaboratively with other HR staff to ensure efficient HR operations.
19. Maintain strict confidentiality of information maintained or accessed in the HR Department.
20. Manage and coordinate special projects as assigned.
21. Successfully manage multiple high-priority projects.
22. Travel as needed to support coordination and management large staff events and meetings.
23. Other duties as assigned.

General Responsibilities

1. Acknowledge and support the advancement of FEA’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.
2. Identify, contribute to, and support new opportunities to advance FEA’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.
3. Perform all work assignments in a manner that effectively and efficiently utilizes FEA resources.
4. Contribute to and support the development and implementation of departmental and interdepartmental programs and services.
5. Perform all duties, responsibilities, and assignments within the guidelines outlined in the FSO/FEA Collective Bargaining Agreement and in accordance with FEA Policies and Procedures.
6. Possess knowledge of FEA’s governance policies and procedures, organization structure, and general policies and procedures.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary will be based on relevant experience and qualifications. FEA provides medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance to its employees and eligible family members with no monthly employee premiums. Additionally, FEA provides retirement options, vacation leave, sick leave, and paid holidays.