Program Specialist, Benefits and Pension

Are you looking for an employer who values your skills in reviewing, designing, developing, implementing, and promoting benefits, pensions and retirement programs? Become an important part of Defence Construction Canada’s Human Resources team of human resources professionals that thrives on providing exemplary service and HR expertise.

Let’s talk about you
You have outstanding organizational, client service and project management skills. You’re comfortable addressing complex queries relating to benefits and pension. You’re excited about a job that lets you demonstrate your subject matter expertise and relies on you to deliver advice, guidance and training.

Meet your team
As the successful applicant, you’ll join our small but growing benefits and pension unit within DCC Human Resources. Day to day, you’ll help guide those at DCC who are approaching retirement, provide expert advice on benefits and work with a supportive team of human resources experts. We collaborate constantly and will rely on your insight and expertise to meet the needs of internal client groups located wherever there are military bases across Canada and abroad.

SUMMARY
Reporting to the Manager, Compensation and Payroll, the Program Specialist, Benefits and Pension, helps design, develop, implement, promote, deliver and evaluate DCC benefits, pension and retirement programs. The Program Specialist acts as a subject-matter expert for these programs and provides advice, guidance and recommendations to ensure their success. The incumbent researches and analyzes information and legislation to support program development and maintenance. The Program Specialist liaises with benefits insurance providers, consultants, service providers and government departments to implement and maintain quality total rewards offerings and programs. The incumbent administers DCC’s Absence Support Program (Disability Management) and Medical Surveillance Program. The incumbent also administers the federal Labour Program (Federal Workers’ Compensation Service) and collaborates with the Human Resources teams and Corporate Health and Safety teams. The Program Specialist researches industry trends and best practices, develops creative solutions to complex matters, and ensures a focus on collaboration and the quality and timeliness of deliverables.

KEY AND PERIODIC ACTIVITIES
The duties and responsibilities listed below are representative but not all-inclusive:

Primary

• Lead the development, implementation, maintenance and evaluation of group benefits and pension benefits policies and programs 
  
• Provide training, advice and guidance to employees and managers on all aspects of DCC’s Absence Support Program, DCC’s Medical Surveillance Program and the federal Labour Program
  
• Lead and participate in DCC benefits programs and projects, including annual benefits renewal analysis and recommendations, acting as the primary lead with benefits insurance providers, service providers, consultants and government departments
  
• Prepare communications related to benefits and pension policies and processes, including annual benefits renewal communications to employees and retirees
  
• Address complex queries relating to benefits and pension policies, administration, processes and billing from team members, employees, supervisors, retirees, and internal and external partners
  
• Act as the primary liaison for DCC employees who are retiring
  
• Oversee the preparation of monthly benefits billing 
  
• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, annual and ad-hoc reports
  
• Develop and maintain effective relationships within DCC, and with industry, the Client-Partners and/or stakeholders
  
• Perform human resources functions (e.g. coach, supervise, mentor, plan and allocate resources, manage performance)
  

Other

• Support other human resources programs and projects, as required
  
• Other duties as assigned
  

SKILLS

General and Specific Knowledge

• Best practices, methods, trends and legislation in human resources management, with a focus on total rewards
  
• Federal human resources legislation, policies and procedures
  
• Project management principles
  

Formal Education and/or Certification(s) and Experience
Minimum: college diploma in human resources management or related field with six years’ relevant experience, or the equivalent
Preferred: university degree in human resources management or related field and/or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist or Certified Human Resources Professional designation; training and/or experience in absence management, benefits management and public service pension plan management

Abilities

• Use applicable computer software and operating systems, including the Human Resources Information System
  
• Demonstrate attention to detail
  
• Explain policy intricacies to employees and managers
  
• Research and write reports, presentations and training materials
  
• Apply project management techniques 
  

DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP

• May be accountable for one direct report
  
• Provide functional direction and advice to employees and managers
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment with occasional travel
  

Check out the benefits
Working with DCC offers excellent opportunities for growth – and entitles you to one of the job market’s best benefits packages. In your role as Program Specialist, Benefits and Pension, your package is valued at 25% to 30% of your salary.

Your package will include:

• Public service pension
  
• 100% employer-paid annual sick leave, health and dental premiums, and life, accidental death, and short- and long-term disability insurance
  
• $400 Wellness Allowance (e.g., gym membership)
  
• $1,500 for mental health services on top of regular $1,500 paramedical coverage
  
• $750 Health Care Spending Account (for some medical expenses that aren’t covered under provincial plans or our standard insurance plan)
  
• Telus Virtual Health Care
  
• Maternity and parental leave top-up plan to 93% of regular gross earnings for a maximum of 17 weeks
  
• Hybrid workplace options including $400 allowance every two years to support work-from-home options
  
• Enhanced inConfidence employee and family assistance program
  
• Deluxe travel benefit plans
  
• Comprehensive vacation and other paid leave plans