Government of Saskatchewan Looking for Benefits Specialist at Regina, SK Full Time

About Us

The Public Employees Benefits Agency (PEBA) administers two of Canada’s top 100 Pension Funds, including Canada’s top Defined Contribution Pension Plan, along with a number of other pension and benefit programs. Our vision of Fostering Financial Wellness leads the work we do in providing valuable pension and benefit services to the over 100,000 members we are proud to serve.

PEBA is pursuing a new governance and operating structure as a not-for-profit corporation separate from the Government of Saskatchewan. It is anticipated this transition will be complete by 2024. You can find more information about this change on the PEBA website.

The Opportunity

The Benefits Program Branch administers benefit plans such as Deferred Salary leave, Dental Plans, Disability Income, Extended Health Care, and Group Life to nearly 60 different employers. These employers include Executive Government, Crown Corporations and various Agencies, Boards and Commissions under the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

The Benefits Program Branch is seeking an energetic, forward-thinking, and thorough individual to join the team as a Benefits Specialist.

Reporting to the Manager of Benefit Programs, the Benefits Specialist is responsible for:

• The onboarding and training of Pension Information Officers to improve their working knowledge on items such as legislative, procedure or policy changes;
• Auditing the work performed by Benefits Information Officers;
• Supporting the team by handling more complex files, processes and escalations;
• Educating and communicating the benefit plan provisions, policies, coverage, processes and relevant legislation to team members, plan members, employers, beneficiaries, lawyers, and other stakeholders by phone, in writing, or in person;
• Maintaining current procedure manuals, forms and training documents;
• Leading annual project work such as accounting and funding valuations; and
• Performing mathematical calculations such as calculating and maintaining insurance premiums, processing daily deposits, and reconciliations; and
• Supporting PEBA as a benefit programs subject matter expert on plan initiatives with the ability to identify, clarify and analyze relevant issues, concerns or problems in order to provide options and recommendations.

Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate has:

• Client service oriented, reliable, organized, capable of prioritizing multiple tasks taking into consideration changing priorities and tight deadlines;
• Capable of working independently, is thorough and attentive to detail to ensure quality and accuracy of work;
• Objective, supportive and a team player to maintain a harmonious and co-operative work environment.
• experience in a benefit plans administrative role of progressive responsibility; and/or
• Excellent communication and presentations skills in order to provide detailed benefit information to clients and team members, and to present benefits information in group settings;
• The ability to accurately interpret and apply relevant acts and legislation, and interact empathetically when providing information or clarifying procedures to clients who may be angry, confused, or hostile;
• Knowledge of computer applications such as word processing, security, communication, spreadsheet software, database and operating systems and/or computer hardware; and
• The ability to collect, record and analyze relevant data to make accurate and timely decisions on a variety of issues.

Typically, the knowledge required for this position would be obtained through the completion of:

• A two-year diploma program in Business Administration or equivalent;
• Completion of the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) program or equivalent; and
• Experience in the benefits field.

What We Offer

PEBA offers dynamic and challenging work for talented individuals in an environment that supports innovation, creativity, diversity and inclusion. In addition, the Saskatchewan public service offers a number of employment advantages such as:

• a competitive salary;
• comprehensive benefits package including pension;
• career development, advancement and learning opportunities;
• flexible work arrangements; and
• vacation, earned days off (EDO) and other types of leave.