Des Moines Water Works
Compensation & Benefits Administrator
Des Moines Water Works, Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50319
Why Work at Des Moines Water Works?
At Des Moines Water Works (DMWW), every employee plays a vital role in delivering Water You Can Trust for Life to over 600,000 central Iowans. We’re looking for team members who are customer‑focused and committed to our mission.
When you join DMWW, you become part of a team that values environmental stewardship—protecting our most essential natural resource: water. Just as importantly, we recognize that our people are our greatest asset. Your wellbeing matters to us—from physical and psychological safety to wellness, fitness, and professional growth, we’re committed to supporting your health and development at work and beyond.
About the Position Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources, oversees and administers comprehensive compensation and benefits programs, payroll operations, retirement plans, leave administration, and workers’ compensation. This position is an individual contributor with expectations of collaborating with the HR team and across departments when applying solutions. Ensures accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with federal and state regulations while supporting organizational objectives and delivering exceptional HR services.
Responsibilities
Benefits Administration : Administers the utility’s cafeteria benefit programs for active employees, including health, dental, life, LTD insurance, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefits, and deferred compensation. Collaborates with internal teams and external partners (benefit trust, brokers, and third‑party administrators) to monitor plan performance, analyze costs and employee contributions, recommend changes, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Employee Education : Conducts benefits orientation sessions for new hires and informational meetings for existing employees to explain options, enrollment procedures, and address questions.
Retirement Administration : Manages the employee retirement process and retiree benefits, including conducting informational meetings, ensuring completion of required documentation, assisting with pension estimates, and communicating benefit‑preservation options. Maintains retirement planning materials, monitors retiree medical insurance rates and payments, and notifies retirees of open enrollment periods.
Leave and Compliance Programs : Administers and reports on leave management, workplace accommodations, and compliance programs, including FMLA, paid parental leave, workers’ compensation, return‑to‑work processes, accommodation requests, and IDOT CDL drug and alcohol testing. Provides guidance to supervisors on leave responsibilities and ensures compliance with policies and regulations.
Payroll Administration : In coordination with Finance, oversees biweekly payroll processing in ADP, ensuring accurate entry and maintenance of employee data, including new hire pay details, tax elections, benefit enrollments, stipends, deductions, and banking information. Processes adjustments such as garnishments, child support orders, retroactive payments, and leave accrual updates to ensure timely and accurate compensation. Calculates pay increases and enters changes into the payroll system.
Classification and Compensation : Manages the classification and compensation system by conducting job evaluations, classification reviews, and salary grade analyses to ensure accuracy and compliance with FLSA regulations. Participates in salary and benefits surveys, analyzes market data, and conducts periodic total compensation reviews to maintain competitive and equitable offerings.
Compliance Reporting : Completes required benefits‑related and federal contractor compliance reporting, including non‑discrimination testing and 509A reporting, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
Safety and Incident Reporting : Maintains an accurate, complete, and up‑to‑date OSHA log in compliance with regulatory requirements. Ensures timely reporting and posting and conducts follow‑up investigations with supervisors and employees after incidents to support proper documentation and corrective actions.
Open Enrollment Coordination : Organizes and manages biannual open enrollment in collaboration with ADP and benefits brokers, including scheduling, preparing materials, and ensuring all forms are current. Oversees creation, editing, and workflow of HR electronic forms and filing through NeoGov E‑Forms.
Employee Offboarding : Coordinates the exit process, including issuing COBRA notices, terminating benefits and deductions, notifying providers and third‑party administrators, processing final payouts, updating HRIS records, and managing terminations in IPERS.
Serves as an active member of the DMWW Social Club wellness committee.
Performs other duties of a similar nature as assigned.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, Human Resources, or a closely related field.
Experience
At least three years of professional level experience in the management of employee benefits administration. A master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience. Experience with ADP HRMS and Benefits Administration systems a plus.
Licenses / Certifications
Must possess a valid driver’s license required with good driving record.
This position requires Driver remain insurable under the Company’s coverage.
Preferred Qualifications
Relevant experience in the public sector.
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) and/or Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation.
Either a SHRM‑CP or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
Thorough understanding of classification and compensation principles and techniques
Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits programs and current practices
Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations (e.g., FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, OSHA)
Skills
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills
Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite
Operation of a personal computer and use standard or customized software applications
Abilities
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise independent discretion
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using technical and non‑technical language
Ability to interpret and follow policies, procedures, and instruction
Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform tasks accurately under time‑sensitive deadlines
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Ability to read, write, and understand English
Regular and reliable attendance is essential
Hardware / Software / Equipment / Tools Needed to Perform Job
Frequently/Often
NEOGOV
ADP
Microsoft Outlook
FMCSA Clearinghouse
Sometimes
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Power Point
Smartphone
General Office Equipment
Physical Requirements
Primarily sedentary work; no significant physical demands, may occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.
Viewing a monitor for much of the workday.
Working Conditions
Office or similar indoor environment.
Des Moines Water Works is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Selection Process:
The hiring process includes a review of qualifications, interviews, and job‑related assessments. The selected candidate must pass a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry search, a pre‑employment drug screen, and physical examination.
E‑Verify Participation:
Des Moines Water Works participates in the federal E‑Verify program. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates offered a position must complete Section 1 of Form I‑9 and present documentation verifying their identity and eligibility to work in the United States prior to starting employment. For questions about acceptable documents, please contact Human Resources at 515‑283‑8717.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
When you join DMWW, you become part of a team that values environmental stewardship—protecting our most essential natural resource: water. Just as importantly, we recognize that our people are our greatest asset. Your wellbeing matters to us—from physical and psychological safety to wellness, fitness, and professional growth, we’re committed to supporting your health and development at work and beyond.
About the Position Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources, oversees and administers comprehensive compensation and benefits programs, payroll operations, retirement plans, leave administration, and workers’ compensation. This position is an individual contributor with expectations of collaborating with the HR team and across departments when applying solutions. Ensures accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with federal and state regulations while supporting organizational objectives and delivering exceptional HR services.
Responsibilities
Benefits Administration : Administers the utility’s cafeteria benefit programs for active employees, including health, dental, life, LTD insurance, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefits, and deferred compensation. Collaborates with internal teams and external partners (benefit trust, brokers, and third‑party administrators) to monitor plan performance, analyze costs and employee contributions, recommend changes, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Employee Education : Conducts benefits orientation sessions for new hires and informational meetings for existing employees to explain options, enrollment procedures, and address questions.
Retirement Administration : Manages the employee retirement process and retiree benefits, including conducting informational meetings, ensuring completion of required documentation, assisting with pension estimates, and communicating benefit‑preservation options. Maintains retirement planning materials, monitors retiree medical insurance rates and payments, and notifies retirees of open enrollment periods.
Leave and Compliance Programs : Administers and reports on leave management, workplace accommodations, and compliance programs, including FMLA, paid parental leave, workers’ compensation, return‑to‑work processes, accommodation requests, and IDOT CDL drug and alcohol testing. Provides guidance to supervisors on leave responsibilities and ensures compliance with policies and regulations.
Payroll Administration : In coordination with Finance, oversees biweekly payroll processing in ADP, ensuring accurate entry and maintenance of employee data, including new hire pay details, tax elections, benefit enrollments, stipends, deductions, and banking information. Processes adjustments such as garnishments, child support orders, retroactive payments, and leave accrual updates to ensure timely and accurate compensation. Calculates pay increases and enters changes into the payroll system.
Classification and Compensation : Manages the classification and compensation system by conducting job evaluations, classification reviews, and salary grade analyses to ensure accuracy and compliance with FLSA regulations. Participates in salary and benefits surveys, analyzes market data, and conducts periodic total compensation reviews to maintain competitive and equitable offerings.
Compliance Reporting : Completes required benefits‑related and federal contractor compliance reporting, including non‑discrimination testing and 509A reporting, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
Safety and Incident Reporting : Maintains an accurate, complete, and up‑to‑date OSHA log in compliance with regulatory requirements. Ensures timely reporting and posting and conducts follow‑up investigations with supervisors and employees after incidents to support proper documentation and corrective actions.
Open Enrollment Coordination : Organizes and manages biannual open enrollment in collaboration with ADP and benefits brokers, including scheduling, preparing materials, and ensuring all forms are current. Oversees creation, editing, and workflow of HR electronic forms and filing through NeoGov E‑Forms.
Employee Offboarding : Coordinates the exit process, including issuing COBRA notices, terminating benefits and deductions, notifying providers and third‑party administrators, processing final payouts, updating HRIS records, and managing terminations in IPERS.
Serves as an active member of the DMWW Social Club wellness committee.
Performs other duties of a similar nature as assigned.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, Human Resources, or a closely related field.
Experience
At least three years of professional level experience in the management of employee benefits administration. A master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience. Experience with ADP HRMS and Benefits Administration systems a plus.
Licenses / Certifications
Must possess a valid driver’s license required with good driving record.
This position requires Driver remain insurable under the Company’s coverage.
Preferred Qualifications
Relevant experience in the public sector.
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) and/or Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation.
Either a SHRM‑CP or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
Thorough understanding of classification and compensation principles and techniques
Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits programs and current practices
Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations (e.g., FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, OSHA)
Skills
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills
Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite
Operation of a personal computer and use standard or customized software applications
Abilities
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise independent discretion
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using technical and non‑technical language
Ability to interpret and follow policies, procedures, and instruction
Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform tasks accurately under time‑sensitive deadlines
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Ability to read, write, and understand English
Regular and reliable attendance is essential
Hardware / Software / Equipment / Tools Needed to Perform Job
Frequently/Often
NEOGOV
ADP
Microsoft Outlook
FMCSA Clearinghouse
Sometimes
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Power Point
Smartphone
General Office Equipment
Physical Requirements
Primarily sedentary work; no significant physical demands, may occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.
Viewing a monitor for much of the workday.
Working Conditions
Office or similar indoor environment.
Des Moines Water Works is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Selection Process:
The hiring process includes a review of qualifications, interviews, and job‑related assessments. The selected candidate must pass a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry search, a pre‑employment drug screen, and physical examination.
E‑Verify Participation:
Des Moines Water Works participates in the federal E‑Verify program. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates offered a position must complete Section 1 of Form I‑9 and present documentation verifying their identity and eligibility to work in the United States prior to starting employment. For questions about acceptable documents, please contact Human Resources at 515‑283‑8717.
#J-18808-Ljbffr