EMPLOYEE BENEFITS GENERALIST

Position Marketing Statement

Elevate your HR career with the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) as our next Employee Benefits Generalist! We are seeking a motivated, people-focused professional who brings knowledge, energy, and a passion for service to our Human Resources Division. In this dynamic role, you will support key benefit programs – including group insurance, retirement, and deferred compensation - and provide essential guidance regarding the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), leaves of absence, and the workers’ compensation program. You will serve as a trusted partner to employees and leadership, helping to ensure seamless daily HR operations and positive, supportive workplace experience. If you are detail-driven, enjoy meaningful engagement with employees, and want to contribute to a mission-focused organization, we encourage you to apply to join our team!

Essential Functions

• Under direction of the Assistant Human Resources Manager, serves as the Employee Benefits Generalist, performing professional human resources assignments in the areas of group insurance benefits, retirement, and deferred compensation.
• Supports multiple aspects of the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Human Resources Division, to ensure execution of smooth day-to-day operations, accommodating both employees and organizational leadership.
• Under guidance, provides counseling to OSFM employees regarding Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), leaves of absence (LOA), and worker’s compensation.
• Provides assistance to the OSFM Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Officer in the preparation of required reports.
• Cross trains on all facets of Human Resources functions and serves as a multi-skilled backup to ensure performance of necessary duties throughout the division in the event of gaps in staffing or emergencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four (4) years of college.
• Requires one (1) year of professional experience, preferably in human resources, or satisfactory completion of an approved training program.

Specialized Skills

• Requires one (1) year of professional experience working with and processing leaves of absence cases, including coordination of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Worker’s Compensation, parental leave, military leave, return-to-work/light-duty programs, and other state or federal leave programs.
• Requires one (1) year of professional experience applying collective bargaining contract language as it relates to human resources functions.
• Requires one (1) year of professional experience supporting and educating State of Illinois employees with regard to the State's group insurance plan and retirement-related processes.
• Requires one (1) year of professional experience facilitating onboarding processes and new employee orientation.
• Requires one (1) year of professional experience proctoring structured interviews for the State of Illinois.
• Requires one (1) year of experience utilizing the CMS Group Insurance/Membership system to enter insurance-related transactions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience working with leaves of absence cases, including coordination of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Worker’s Compensation, parental leave, military leave, return-to-work/light-duty programs, and other state or federal leave programs.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience applying collective bargaining contract language as it relates to human resources functions.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience supporting employees with regard to group insurance plans and retirement-related processes for a public or private organization.
• Prefers one (1) year of professional experience facilitating onboarding processes and new employee orientation for a public or private organization.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience proctoring structured interviews for a public or private organization.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience utilizing the CMS Group Insurance/Membership system, or similar system, to enter insurance-related transactions.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience performing timekeeping functions for a public or private organization.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience providing administrative support for employee engagement events and activities in a public or private organization.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience analyzing human resources information and preparing confidential reports.
• Prefers five (5) or more years of experience utilizing Microsoft Office Suite programs, including MS Word, Outlook, Adobe, and Teams.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a current and valid State ID.
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires the ability to travel with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to pass drug screening.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• This position is considered sedentary work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(a)). Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and requires occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.