City of Pasadena, CA
Salary :
$66,636.75 - $79,143.58 Annually Location :
Pasadena City Hall, CA Job Type:
2025 - REGULAR FULLTIME 40+ HRS A WK Job Number:
26-015 Department:
Human Resources Division:
Benefits Administration Opening Date:
08/14/2025 Closing Date:
9/11/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
The City of Pasadena Human Resources Department is seeking a Benefits Specialist to support the administration of the City's benefits programs for its 2000+ full-time and part-time employees.
IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate is dependable, resourceful, and is able to communicate effectively with a diverse group of employees via telephone, email or chat or in-person. The ideal candidate possesses strong customer service skills, is comfortable with presenting information to both individuals and large groups and will have experience using human resources and payroll software programs and Office 365 programs (i.e. Outlook, TEAMS, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and OneDrive). Apply today!
Must type 40 net words per minute with 95% accuracy. Please note that qualified applicants will be invited to take an online typing test administered by the City. Applicants that do not receive a passing score on the online typing test will not receive further consideration. Please do not attach a typing certificate to your application. Current City of Pasadena employees who hold a position that requires the same or more words per minute are not required to take the online typing test. City of Pasadena employees are responsible for verifying the typing requirement for their current classification. Essential Functions
The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the
1. Day-to-day administration of the City's retirement plans offered by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), PARS, and our medical, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending, and other voluntary insurance plans.
2. Explains benefits plan requirements and procedures to employees and beneficiaries, verifies eligibility and processes enrollments in the City software program (MUNIS) with insurance carriers for new hires, mid-year qualifying events and terminating employees.
3. Performs data entry of benefit elections; enters payroll deductions for benefits and other voluntary payroll deductions using correct effective dates and plan/rate calculations.
4. Responds to mandatory health support notices and complete mandatory enrollments.
5. Issues COBRA notices and other mandatory notices to employees.
6. Participates in planning, organizing, and conducting monthly new-hire benefits orientation and annual open enrollment processes.
7. Plans, organizes, promotes, and coordinates health and wellness events and programs.
8. Provides administrative support, including development of benefit educational materials, charts and other documents and website updates; responds to customers' inquiries; backs up other department office and administrative staff when required. Qualification Guidelines
COMPETENCIES The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.
Action and Results Focus
- Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment. Attention to Detail
- Focusing on the details of work content, work steps and final work products. Customer Focus
- Attending to the needs and expectations of customers. Informing
- Proactively obtaining and sharing information. Self-Management
- Showing personal organization, self-discipline and dependability. Teamwork
- Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals. Technology Use
- Working with electronic software applications.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Graduation from a two-year college with an Associate's degree in a relevant field At least four years of progressively responsible administrative experience that includes two years of direct administration of health and/or retirement benefits; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Prior work experience at a public agency is preferred but not required. Working knowledge of leave laws, CalPERS health and retirement benefits is preferred but not required. SELECTION PROCESS The selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, typing exam, written exam, interview panel, and department-level interviews.
VACANCY INFORMATION There is currently one vacancy in the Human Resources Department. This recruitment will create an eligible list that may be used for the same or similar vacancies in the future.
Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary work period. Special Requirements
Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during the course of employment.
Type net 40 words per minute with 95% accuracy or above. Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS or an agency with CALPERS' reciprocity or who have more than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula.
Employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS' reciprocity, or who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with the City will be enrolled in the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula.
All employees are required to pay the full employee contribution to CalPERS.
Click link below to review the City's excellent benefits package 01
To further assist us with reviewing your qualifications, please answer the following questions truthfully and completely. ALL questions on this form must be completed for your application to be considered valid. Your responses will be validated if you are considered one of the most qualified applicants. Please select "yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.
Yes No
02
Please note: A resume may NOT be submitted in lieu of a completed employment application, and a "see resume" response is not acceptable. You may attach a copy of your resume, but your employment history and other qualifications will only be considered from your application. Check the "yes" box to acknowledge this.
Yes No
03
Have you worked in benefits administration or human resources administration in a public agency?
Yes No
04
How many years of progressively responsible administrative experience do you have?
Less than 4 years 4 to 5 years More than 5 years
05
How many years of experience do you have with administering health and/or retirement benefits?
None but willing to learn Less than 1 year Less than 2 years Between 2 and 3 years 3 or more years
06
Where did you acquire your health and/or retirement benefits administration experience? (Please specify the employer, type of organization, and your role with the organization.) If no experience, enter N/A. 07
Did this experience also include administering defined benefit programs such as the California Public Retirement System, LA County Employee Retirement System or Los Angeles City Retirement System (CalPERS, LACERA, LACERS)?
YES NO N/A
08
If you have experience administering defined benefit programs such as the California Public Retirement System, LA County Employee Retirement System or Los Angeles City Retirement System (CalPERS, LACERA, LACERS), please elaborate on your role in administering the program (i.e. eligibility review, enrollment, educational workshops). If not applicable, please enter N/A. 09
How many years of experience do you have calculating payroll deduction changes?
None but willing to learn Less than one year Between 1 and 2 years Between 2 and 3 years More than 3 years
Required Question
$66,636.75 - $79,143.58 Annually Location :
Pasadena City Hall, CA Job Type:
2025 - REGULAR FULLTIME 40+ HRS A WK Job Number:
26-015 Department:
Human Resources Division:
Benefits Administration Opening Date:
08/14/2025 Closing Date:
9/11/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
The City of Pasadena Human Resources Department is seeking a Benefits Specialist to support the administration of the City's benefits programs for its 2000+ full-time and part-time employees.
IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate is dependable, resourceful, and is able to communicate effectively with a diverse group of employees via telephone, email or chat or in-person. The ideal candidate possesses strong customer service skills, is comfortable with presenting information to both individuals and large groups and will have experience using human resources and payroll software programs and Office 365 programs (i.e. Outlook, TEAMS, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and OneDrive). Apply today!
Must type 40 net words per minute with 95% accuracy. Please note that qualified applicants will be invited to take an online typing test administered by the City. Applicants that do not receive a passing score on the online typing test will not receive further consideration. Please do not attach a typing certificate to your application. Current City of Pasadena employees who hold a position that requires the same or more words per minute are not required to take the online typing test. City of Pasadena employees are responsible for verifying the typing requirement for their current classification. Essential Functions
The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the
1. Day-to-day administration of the City's retirement plans offered by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), PARS, and our medical, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending, and other voluntary insurance plans.
2. Explains benefits plan requirements and procedures to employees and beneficiaries, verifies eligibility and processes enrollments in the City software program (MUNIS) with insurance carriers for new hires, mid-year qualifying events and terminating employees.
3. Performs data entry of benefit elections; enters payroll deductions for benefits and other voluntary payroll deductions using correct effective dates and plan/rate calculations.
4. Responds to mandatory health support notices and complete mandatory enrollments.
5. Issues COBRA notices and other mandatory notices to employees.
6. Participates in planning, organizing, and conducting monthly new-hire benefits orientation and annual open enrollment processes.
7. Plans, organizes, promotes, and coordinates health and wellness events and programs.
8. Provides administrative support, including development of benefit educational materials, charts and other documents and website updates; responds to customers' inquiries; backs up other department office and administrative staff when required. Qualification Guidelines
COMPETENCIES The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.
Action and Results Focus
- Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment. Attention to Detail
- Focusing on the details of work content, work steps and final work products. Customer Focus
- Attending to the needs and expectations of customers. Informing
- Proactively obtaining and sharing information. Self-Management
- Showing personal organization, self-discipline and dependability. Teamwork
- Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals. Technology Use
- Working with electronic software applications.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Graduation from a two-year college with an Associate's degree in a relevant field At least four years of progressively responsible administrative experience that includes two years of direct administration of health and/or retirement benefits; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Prior work experience at a public agency is preferred but not required. Working knowledge of leave laws, CalPERS health and retirement benefits is preferred but not required. SELECTION PROCESS The selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, typing exam, written exam, interview panel, and department-level interviews.
VACANCY INFORMATION There is currently one vacancy in the Human Resources Department. This recruitment will create an eligible list that may be used for the same or similar vacancies in the future.
Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary work period. Special Requirements
Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during the course of employment.
Type net 40 words per minute with 95% accuracy or above. Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS or an agency with CALPERS' reciprocity or who have more than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula.
Employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS' reciprocity, or who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with the City will be enrolled in the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula.
All employees are required to pay the full employee contribution to CalPERS.
Click link below to review the City's excellent benefits package 01
To further assist us with reviewing your qualifications, please answer the following questions truthfully and completely. ALL questions on this form must be completed for your application to be considered valid. Your responses will be validated if you are considered one of the most qualified applicants. Please select "yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.
Yes No
02
Please note: A resume may NOT be submitted in lieu of a completed employment application, and a "see resume" response is not acceptable. You may attach a copy of your resume, but your employment history and other qualifications will only be considered from your application. Check the "yes" box to acknowledge this.
Yes No
03
Have you worked in benefits administration or human resources administration in a public agency?
Yes No
04
How many years of progressively responsible administrative experience do you have?
Less than 4 years 4 to 5 years More than 5 years
05
How many years of experience do you have with administering health and/or retirement benefits?
None but willing to learn Less than 1 year Less than 2 years Between 2 and 3 years 3 or more years
06
Where did you acquire your health and/or retirement benefits administration experience? (Please specify the employer, type of organization, and your role with the organization.) If no experience, enter N/A. 07
Did this experience also include administering defined benefit programs such as the California Public Retirement System, LA County Employee Retirement System or Los Angeles City Retirement System (CalPERS, LACERA, LACERS)?
YES NO N/A
08
If you have experience administering defined benefit programs such as the California Public Retirement System, LA County Employee Retirement System or Los Angeles City Retirement System (CalPERS, LACERA, LACERS), please elaborate on your role in administering the program (i.e. eligibility review, enrollment, educational workshops). If not applicable, please enter N/A. 09
How many years of experience do you have calculating payroll deduction changes?
None but willing to learn Less than one year Between 1 and 2 years Between 2 and 3 years More than 3 years
Required Question