Employee Benefits Manager

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$118,322.54 - $177,485.49 Annual

Department:

Department of County Management (DCM)

Job Type:

Regular Non-Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

July 26, 2026

The Opportunity:

The Multnomah County Benefits Office provides a competitive and comprehensive benefits program to our employees. The Benefits Office aims to help members get the most out of employee benefits: whether going in for yearly check-ups, getting a massage, starting a new family, getting ready to retire, going on medical or family leave – the Benefits Office is here to help.  

The Employee Benefits Manager is responsible for managing employee benefit programs for the County’s approximately 6,000 employees. This position requires the knowledge, skills and abilities to independently administer established benefit/wellness/leave policies and programs; make significant policy decisions; interpret conflicting regulations and interests; and maintain compliance with legal requirements, bargaining agreements, personnel rules, County mandates, and vendor contracts - all while keeping the diverse needs of our employees in the forefront. This role will design and develop enhancements to the programs available and operate within the budgetary constraints of the public sector environment.

This position is responsible for:

• Provide strategic direction, guidance and oversight for the administration of the county's complex self-insured benefits programs, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations and ensuring benefit offerings are fiscally responsible and meet the needs of our employees. 

• Managing the County's Employee Benefits/Leave Administration team (9-14) both directly and through subordinate manager(s) to ensure plans and programs operate consistently.

• Managing vendor relations and contracts with insurance vendors; renegotiating vendor contracts as required; generating RFPs in accordance with County procurement rules; 

• Maintaining compliance with Federal and State requirements for health and welfare plans which may include annual filings, notices and payments of required assessments.

• Assisting senior management and labor relations in development of bargaining strategies as they pertain to benefits; serving on the benefit bargaining committee for the County

• Providing consulting services to all County departments regarding benefits;

• Performing oversight and financial management of the Benefits/Wellness budget.

• Monitoring expenditures and funding. Analyzing statistical data from all plans, developing reporting tools from data and preparing trend analysis to make recommendations for benefit plan design, plan options and cost reduction for future benefit plan changes.  

• Researching, designing, developing, bidding, and launching programs as directed by County management in accordance with requests from bargaining units and/or elected officials.

• Ensuring production and sharing of concise communications for all benefit needs.

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience managing a self-insured program. 

• Demonstrated commitment and passion for managing and delivering a comprehensive benefits program.

• An understanding of and experience with all applicable benefits and leave programs: medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, retiree plans, employee assistance programs, FMLA/OFLA Administration, Flexible Spending Accounts,  Short and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, etc.

• Experience with providing support for benefits-related subjects of bargaining in union negotiations.  Familiarity with the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA).

• Able to clearly communicate with all levels of stakeholders in multiple formats, verbal, written, web postings, formal and informal presentations.

• Experience managing change within a complex organizational structure.

• Proven effective leadership skills including the ability to inspire, engage and develop others.

• Results-driven orientation with a demonstrated ability to develop strategies, plans, research and programs that utilize best practices in the field.

• Commitment to equity and experience applying an equity lens / framework to the benefits programs.

About Multnomah County
 

Multnomah County is Oregon’s geographically smallest, but most densely populated county, home to eight economically and culturally diverse cities, including Portland. Multnomah County is also one of the state’s most reliable and powerful economic engines, driving  $3.32 billion a year through the region. The County partners with hundreds of agencies and nonprofits to prioritize those most in need and promote a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. 

Every day, Multnomah County works to ensure that our community is a place where anyone can access  the help they need, our most vulnerable neighbors are protected and everyone can find pathways to  thrive. So together, our dedicated employees and partners show up and meet community members where  they are to make our neighborhoods safer, our kids healthier, our families more stable and Multnomah  County a more just and equitable home for everyone. 

With 10 departments and 13 bargaining units, Multnomah County is a large public employer, with over 6,000 employees. Our employees range from case managers to restaurant inspectors to high level executives. The County is led by The Multnomah County Chair, elected at large, and the Board of County Commissioners, consisting of four nonpartisan members elected from designated districts who serve as a legislative body. The County Sheriff, District Attorney and Auditor round out the slate of elected officials. 

At Multnomah County, we don't just accept differences; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect and an environment of safety, trust and belonging, for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Over the past six years, the Chair and Board have supported the launch of the Workforce Equity Strategic Plan, increased investment in culturally specific services, and the creation of equity strategies to inform all of the county’s internal and external services.

To Qualify:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. 

Minimum Qualifications / Transferable Skills*: 

• Bachelor's degree - in lieu of a degree we will consider equivalent related experience

• Three (3) to six (6) years experience managing complex benefits administration for a large organization

• Leadership experience that includes providing direct management and supervision of a team

• Process improvement and creative problem solving

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders, candidates and staff.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace applications

Preferred Qualifications:  You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify.  However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Experience in the public sector and with collective bargaining agreements

• Experience in Workday

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

Screening and Evaluation:

Application Packet: The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. 

• A completed online application.

• An uploaded resume covering relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, a brief summary of your responsibilities, the number of employees under your supervision.

• An uploaded cover letter that expands on your resume and details your prior experience and how it may align with the preferred and desired areas.

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the To Qualify section of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process. 

Internal Applicants:  After you have submitted your application, please check your Workday inbox and complete the Veterans’ Preference Questionnaire prior to the application deadline. 

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference for this recruitment. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply. The recruiter as listed on the job announcement must receive all required documentation by the closing date of the recruitment.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows: 

• Initial review of minimum qualifications: We may do an additional preferred review, phone screen, and/or send out additional supplemental questions to identify those highest qualified.

• Consideration of top candidates: We will consider qualified candidates in order of rank and score from the list of eligible candidates. This may include panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.

• Professional reference checks.

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website.

Equal Pay Law: 

Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience, education seniority, training, and/or tenure. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters:

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.  

Additional Information: 

• This position is classified as an Unclassified Executive position and serves at the pleasure of the Chief Human Resources Officer and may be subject to discharge at any time. 

• This is a salary, executive position that is not eligible for overtime.

• This position is approved for a hybrid schedule.  The onsite work location is at the Multnomah Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214. 

• All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the County cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

• This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Prudence Veach

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

+1 (971) 4908656

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

9621 - Human Resources Manager 2