Recognized by the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) as a national Well Workplace, the City of Milwaukee is committed to protecting and enhancing the health and well‑being of our most valuable asset, our employees.
The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce dedicated to delivering exceptional service to its residents. If you are passionate about being part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.
The Benefits and Wellness Supervisor oversees daily benefits operations, manages benefits-related systems and processes within the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), supervises benefits staff and coordinates employee outreach, engagement, and education initiatives.
The City of Milwaukee’s benefits programs include health and dental insurance, a comprehensive wellness program, on-site clinics, an on-site nurse liaison, flexible spending and health reimbursement, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a commuter value pass, and other voluntary benefits focused on healthcare and wellness.
Benefits Administration
- Assist the Employee Benefits Director in overseeing employee benefit programs.
- Lead and execute all aspects of the annual open enrollment process, including strategic employee communications, educational outreach, enrollment support and comprehensive system testing; ensure a seamless and successful enrollment experience.
- Monitor and maintain benefits eligibility, enrollment, life event changes and other benefits transactions.
- Review benefits processes and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and employee satisfaction.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and reporting requirements related to employee benefits.
HR and Benefits Systems Management
- Serve as the primary administrator for benefits-related functions within the HRIS and other benefits management systems.
- Oversee system configuration, testing, troubleshooting, data integrity and ongoing process enhancements.
- Collaborate with payroll, Information Technology (IT) and external vendors to resolve system issues and implement upgrades or new functionality.
- Develop and maintain reports, metrics and dashboards related to benefits participation, utilization and program performance.
Employee Outreach and Communications
- Develop and coordinate benefits communication strategies that increase employee awareness and understanding of available programs and resources.
- Create and distribute benefits and wellness materials through various communication channels, including newsletters, intranet content, presentations, and informational campaigns.
- Conduct benefits orientations, informational meetings, and educational workshops for employees and retirees.
- Promote employee engagement and participation in benefits and wellness initiatives.
- Provide oversight to and administer the New Employee Orientation (NEO) presentation related to employee benefits, both in-person and virtual.
Wellness Program Coordination
- Assist in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of employee wellness programs and initiatives.
- Coordinate wellness events, health education programs, screenings, challenges, and awareness campaigns.
- Collaborate with vendors, healthcare partners, and internal stakeholders to enhance wellness offerings and employee participation.
- Track program outcomes and participation metrics to assess effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Supervision and Customer Service
- Supervise and provide leadership to a team responsible for responding to benefits-related inquiries from employees and retirees across the organization.
- Establish service standards, workflows, and performance expectations to ensure timely and accurate customer support.
- Provide training, coaching, and professional development opportunities for staff.
- Serve as an escalation point for complex benefits questions, concerns, and employee situations.
Vendor and Program Administration
- Coordinate with benefits carriers, brokers, consultants, wellness vendors, and third-party administrators to ensure effective program delivery.
- Assist in contract administration, vendor performance monitoring, and issue resolution.
- Support benefits audits, data requests, and program evaluations.
We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.
- The Benefits and Wellness Supervisor must be willing and able to work occasional evening and weekend hours to meet departmental needs.
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, public administration, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
- Three years of progressively responsible experience in benefit program administration and plan design, including comprehensive wellness program development.
- Ability to travel independently around the City of Milwaukee by public transportation, walking, biking, or driving.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.
- Experience with a large employer or in the public sector.
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation.
- WELCOA Certified or similar certification.
- Experience in customer-facing enterprise communications.
Technical
- Knowledge of various employee benefit programs, plan design variations, and administration.
- Knowledge of survey methodology and questionnaire development, as well as strategies to encourage and ensure high response rates.
- Knowledge of statistical analysis methods to interpret and measure data trends from utilization reports, surveys, and report findings.
- Ability to track, measure, and evaluate various benefit and wellness program components.
- Proficiency using intermediate to advanced features of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat and/or InDesign, and other creative applications to develop program materials, marketing pieces, presentations, and reports.
- Knowledge of HRIS systems, benefits administration technology, and reporting tools.
- Enterprise communications knowledge and skills to share information and engage with internal and external audiences.
- Ability to implement benefit and wellness communication and marketing campaigns incorporating social media strategies and interactive learning components such as Brainshark and video clips.
- Knowledge of and experience using human resources and benefits administration systems.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations, including Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), ACA, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).
- Knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance and ability to ensure that appropriate policies, procedures, and training programs are in place.
- Knowledge of webinar creation, scheduling, promotion, and hosting.
- Ability to read and interpret job-related materials such as reports, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to assist with policy and benefit plan formulation and implementation.
- Knowledge of mathematics to assist with financial and budget projections.
- Knowledge of employer healthcare and wellness trends
Supervisory
- Knowledge of supervisory principles and best practices.
- Ability to effectively lead a team of professional benefits staff.
- Ability to assign duties, set clear performance standards, provide coaching and training, monitor work in progress, evaluate performance, and make hiring recommendations.
- Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
Communication and Interpersonal
- Verbal communication skills to speak clearly and concisely to internal and external customers.
- Presentation skills to deliver benefit and wellness program information, reports, and data to various audiences.
- Written communication skills to develop clear and engaging marketing and communication materials, informational program materials, reports, presentation materials, and correspondence.
- Ability to work effectively with team members, representatives of City of Milwaukee departments, vendor partners, and City officials.
- Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one's own.
- Ability to communicate complex benefit information clearly and effectively to a wide variety of professionals.
Critical Thinking and Professionalism
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Decision-making skills and sound judgment.
- Ability to work well independently.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work within tight time constraints to meet deadlines.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to remain calm and professional while working within a fast-paced environment.
- Honesty, integrity, and the ability to handle confidential employee information with discretion in compliance with HIPAA standards.
- Commitment to continuous learning relative to benefits and employee wellness.
The current salary range (Pay Range 1HX) is $82,677-$108,380 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $85,984-$112,715 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.
BENEFITS ~ The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:
- Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Health and Dental Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Comprehensive Wellness Program
- Onsite Clinic Services
- Onsite Employee Assistance Program
- Alternative Work Schedules
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Group Life Insurance
- Tuition Benefits
- Paid Vacation
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
- Flexible Spending Arrangement
- Commuter Value Pass
For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.
THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job-related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience, and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.
INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the City's needs have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.
- Applications and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
- If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or [email protected].
- The Department of Employee Relations is in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
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The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.
