The PositionThe City of Oakland is an equal-opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland Human Resource Management Department Risk and Benefits Division?This is where opportunity meets impact! Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in your community while advancing your career in a dynamic environment? Look no further than the City of Oakland’s Risk & Benefits Team. We are seeking a dedicated individual who is eager to contribute their talents to safeguarding the well-being of our employees. As a member of our team, you will play a pivotal role in assisting with managing protected leaves and ensuring the welfare of our diverse workforce.
The City of Oakland is committed to investing in the development of its employees. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your career, we provide ample opportunities for training, mentorship, and advancement.
We are looking for someone who is: - Flexible: You will need to be an adaptable individual who can quickly grasp the nuances of managing protected leaves.
- Meticulous: You will pay attention to detail, as it can help prevent costly errors and ensure employees receive the leaves they are entitled to.
- Law-Savvy: You will need to possess a deep understanding of federal, state, and local laws related to protected leaves & disability accommodations.
- Articulate: You will need to effectively communicate and clearly articulate leave policies and disability accommodations procedures in a manner easily understood by all parties.
What you will typically be responsible for: - Coordinating & administering the mandated leave programs: Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
- Ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local laws regarding leave management, as well as interpreting and applying leave policies within applicable state and federal regulations.
- Preparing forms, documents, correspondence, and other materials related to protected leaves.
- Maintaining thorough and confidential records, logs, and databases for protected leaves regarding PDL, FMLA, and CFRA.
- Facilitating timely and accurate communication and information to departments, and employees regarding leave policies and procedures.
- Certifying FMLA/CFRA eligibility for employees requesting protected leave under FMLA/CFRA.
- Working closely with Disability Coordinator on leaves extending beyond FMLA/CFRA and processing all correspondence letters and notices related to accommodations.
- Responding to all Disability claims timely.
Read the complete job description by clicking here.
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland
A few reasons you might love this job: - You will directly impact the well-being and livelihoods of employees and their families by working in Risk & Benefits.
- You will find ample opportunities for professional development and growth in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of Risk & Benefits.
- You will operate within a collaborative environment in the Risk & Benefits team, where teamwork is valued and diverse perspectives are encouraged.
- You will have the opportunity to build connections with various employees throughout the City.
A few challenges you might face in this job:- You will be responsible for balancing legal requirements with organizational needs.
- You will be tasked with identifying and managing leave abuse and fraud.
- You will need to effectively communicate complex leave policies and procedures to employees, managers, and stakeholders, which is essential but can be challenging.
- You will be responsible for handling sensitive situations related to employees' health, personal circumstances, or legal rights.
Competencies Required:- Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
- Mathematical Facility: Performing computations and solving mathematical problems
- Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
- Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
- Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
- Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
- Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
- Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
- Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
- Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
- Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
- Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
- Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
- Strategic Thinking & Perspective: Evaluating immediate actions in the context of achieving long-range objectives
Minimum Requirements for ApplicationThis recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all steps of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all steps of the recruitment process. Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.
Education: Graduation from high school.
Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible clerical or administrative experience in benefits administration or personnel.
Desirable Qualifications: - An associate's degree
- Experience with processing or managing protected leaves
- Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding protected leaves such as Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
Supplemental InformationThe City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to take an online multiple-choice test. You’ll have 7 days to complete the test once the link is sent to your email. This is tentatively planned to launch during the week of September 30, 2024.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
What’s in it for you? - Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list. Disaster Service Workers All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system.
APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alanna Butler at abutler@oaklandca.gov.
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements
Closing Date/Time: 9/24/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
