Town of Queen Creek

Benefits Program Manager

SALARY

$114,621.25 - $166,200.79 Annually

LOCATION

Municipal Services Building, AZ

JOB TYPE

Full-Time

JOB NUMBER

2026 - 3045001

DEPARTMENT

Human Resources

OPENING DATE

10/29/2026

CLOSING DATE

11/29/2026 11:59 PM Arizona

SALARY

$114,621.25 - $166,200.79 Annually

LOCATION

Municipal Services Building, AZ

JOB TYPE

Full-Time

JOB NUMBER

2026 - 3045001

DEPARTMENT

Human Resources

OPENING DATE

10/29/2026

CLOSING DATE

11/29/2026 11:59 PM Arizona

Description

The first review of applications will be on November 16, 2026. The posting may close at any time after the first review.

JOB CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

Positions assigned to this class are responsible for managing the Town’s employee benefits, leave management, and workers’ compensation programs. Responsibilities include program administration, vendor relations, compliance, and reporting. This position leads the Benefit Division, providing technical expertise and strategic recommendations to support employee well-being, regulatory compliance, and the Town’s workforce objectives.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is an advanced-level professional classification in the human resources job family responsible for managing benefits, leaves, and workers’ compensation programs. Incumbents apply advanced technical knowledge, analytical skills, and independent judgment to oversee programs, evaluate market competitiveness, ensure compliance, and recommend improvements. The position is distinguished by its leadership of the Benefit Division and responsibility for program effectiveness, financial analysis, vendor management, and continuous improvement in alignment with organizational priorities.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the Town’s needs.

Oversees the Town’s employee benefits strategy and administration, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and wellness programs; ensures accurate and timely processing of enrollments, changes, and terminations.
Leads annual open enrollment, including plan evaluation, vendor coordination, employee communications, system configuration, and collaboration with HR and Payroll to ensure effective implementation.
Manages benefits vendor, carrier, broker, and consultant relationships; monitors performance, resolves complex issues, and ensures effective service delivery and accurate billing.
Oversees the Town’s leave and absence management programs, ensuring consistent administration, appropriate documentation, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Manages the Town’s Workers’ Compensation program, including claims administration, reporting, compliance, stakeholder coordination, and risk mitigation strategies.
Oversees employee wellness initiatives and evaluates participation, effectiveness, and opportunities to improve employee health and well-being.
Ensures compliance across benefits, leave, workers’ compensation, and wellness programs with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and plan requirements; coordinates required reporting, audits, and corrective actions.
Assists with annual compensation planning and supports the development and maintenance of the Town’s compensation strategy, salary structures, job architecture, and compensation framework to promote market competitiveness, internal equity, and consistency.
Assists with compensation market research, benchmarking, salary surveys, and analyses; evaluates market trends, pay relationships, compression, and other factors to develop recommendations supporting competitive and equitable compensation practices.
Develops financial analyses, cost projections, and expenditure assessments to support benefits and compensation budgeting, workforce planning, salary adjustments, and program decisions.
Oversees the accuracy, integrity, and maintenance of benefits, leave, and compensation data within HR systems; develops reports, metrics, and dashboards to evaluate program utilization, expenditures, trends, and performance.
Analyzes program data, employee feedback, market information, and outcomes to identify trends and recommend improvements to program effectiveness, competitiveness, compliance, employee experience, and operational efficiency.
Leads program enhancements, system improvements, process automation, and cross-functional initiatives to strengthen administration, data integrity, compliance, and service delivery.
Develops, maintains, and interprets policies, procedures, guidelines, and program documentation; recommends updates based on organizational needs, regulatory changes, and industry practices.
Provides technical guidance, consultation, and training to employees, supervisors, department leadership, and HR team members regarding benefits, leave, compensation, and related policies and procedures.
Interprets and applies Town policies and program requirements and advises HR leadership on complex benefits, leave, workers’ compensation, and compensation matters.
Chairs and/or participates in Town committees, workgroups, and special projects as assigned.
Performs related work as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (at job entry)

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Public or Business Administration, Business, Human Resources, Psychology, or a related field and 7 years of experience in managing a specialized human resources program or area of responsibility related to benefits, leave management, wellness management and/or compensation administration; 3 years of supervisory experience. Master’s Degree preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

To be eligible, incumbents cannot be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Certification as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR or SPHR), Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP), or Public Sector Human Resources Certified Professional (PSRHA-CP or PSHRA-SCP) is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE

Principles and practices of public-sector human resources management, professional ethics, employee benefits, leave, workers’ compensation, wellness, and compensation administration.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and compliance requirements, including FMLA, ADA, and the Craig Tiger Act.
Health insurance plan design, administration, terminology, and regulatory compliance; employee wellness program development and evaluation.
Arizona public-sector retirement and benefits systems, including ASRS, PSPRS, and defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
Workers’ compensation claims management, return-to-work programs, and injury prevention strategies.
Strategic planning, budgeting, project management, statistical analysis, and program evaluation.
Training methods, customer service principles, and effective communication.
English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and business writing.
Standard office equipment, HR information systems, and software applications relevant to assigned responsibilities.

SKILLS

Perform advanced-level benefit, leave and compensation administration, and various special personnel-related research studies/projects;
Strategic planning and translating organizational goals into divisional initiatives;
Maintaining compliance with benefits regulations and filing requirements;
Identifying problems or needs, involving appropriate stakeholders, and developing viable plans of action to address issues;
Developing, planning and implementing assigned human resource program(s);
Maintaining confidentiality and exercising good judgment in handling sensitive information;
Assessing, analyzing, identifying and implementing solutions to complex problems and drive informed decision-making;
Training methods, adult learning processes, and diversity concepts and applications;
Managing divisional budgets and financial resources with accountability and transparency;
Project management, including technology implementations and program rollouts;
Composing correspondence;
Performing research, making independent analysis, and reporting findings;
Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and other interested parties sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Supplemental Information

OVERALL PHYSICAL STRENGTH DEMANDS:

**Physical Strength for this classification is indicated below with an “X”**XSedentary: Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

Light: Exerting up to 20 lbs. occasionally, 10 lbs. frequently, or negligible amounts constantly OR requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

Medium: Exerting 20-50 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly.

Heavy: Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly.

Very Heavy: Exerting over 100 lbs. occasionally, 50-100 lbs. frequently, or up to 20-50 lbs. constantly.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

CFORNContinuouslyFrequentlyOccasionallyRarelyNever2/3 or more time1/3 to 2/3 of timeUp to 1/3 time< 1 hour per weekNever occursNote: This is intended as a description of the way the job is currently performed. It does not address the potential for accommodation.

Physical DemandBrief DescriptionCFORNStandingCommunicating with co-workers, observing work site, observing work duties

SittingDesk workX

WalkingTo other departments/offices/office equipment

LiftingSupplies, files

CarryingSupplies, files

Pushing/PullingFile draws, tables and chairs

ReachingFor supplies, for files

HandlingPaperwork

Fine DexterityComputer keyboard, telephone pad, calculator, calibrating equipmentX

KneelingFiling in lower drawers, retrieving items from lower shelves/ground

CrouchingFiling in lower drawers, retrieving items from lower shelves/ground

CrawlingUnder equipment

BendingFiling in lower drawers, retrieving items from lower shelves/ground

TwistingFrom computer to telephone, getting inside vehicles

ClimbingStairs, step stool

BalancingOn step stool

VisionReading, computer screen, drivingX

HearingCommunicating with co-workers and public and on telephone, listening to equipmentX

TalkingCommunicating with co-workers and public and on telephoneX

Foot ControlsDriving

Other (Specify)

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE:

Standard office equipment; vehicle

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

DWMSNDailySeveral Times Per WeekSeveral Times Per MonthSeasonallyNeverHealth & Safety FactorsDWMSNHealth & Safety FactorsDWMS****NMechanical Hazards

XRespiratory Hazards

XChemical Hazards

XExtreme Temperatures

Electrical Hazards

XNoise and Vibration

XFire Hazards

XWetness/Humidity

XExplosives

XPhysical Hazards

XCommunicable Diseases

Physical Danger or Abuse

Other (Specify Below

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

None

NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

CFORNContinuouslyFrequentlyOccasionallyRarelyNever2/3 or more time1/3 to 2/3 of timeUp to 1/3 time< 1 hour per weekNever occursDescription of Non-Physical DemandsCFOR****NTime Pressure

Emergency Situation

Frequent Change of Tasks

Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime

Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously

Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team

Tedious or Exacting Work

Noisy/Distracting Environment

Other (Specify Below)

PRIMARY WORK LOCATION:

XOffice Environment

Warehouse

Shop

Recreation/Neighborhood Center

Vehicle

Outdoors

Combination of Office, Vehicle and Field

Other (Specify Below)

EmployerTown of Queen Creek

Address

22358 S.Ellsworth Rd

Queen Creek, Arizona, 85142

Phone (480) 358-3204

Websitehttp://www.queencreekaz.gov/Jobs

EmployerTown of Queen CreekPhone (480) 358-3204 Websitehttp://www.queencreekaz.gov/JobsAddress

22358 S.Ellsworth Rd

Queen Creek, Arizona, 85142

Benefits Program Manager Supplemental Questionnaire* QUESTION 1 Each applicant must complete the supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. When answering supplemental questions, the information you provide must be substantiated within the application. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

Yes

QUESTION 2 Please select your highest level of completed education:

High School Diploma or GED

Some college

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree or Graduate Program

Other

QUESTION 3 List your major (and minor, if applicable) for your response to the previous question for all post-secondary degrees you possess. If none, write "N/A".
QUESTION 4 Select which most accurately describes your experience in benefits and leave program management:

No experience

Some but less than 2 years

2 years but less than 4 years

4 years but less than 7 years

7 years or more

QUESTION 5 How many years of supervisory experience do you have?

No experience

Some but less than 1 year

1 year but less than 3 years

3 years or more

QUESTION 6 Do you have experience in benefits, leave administration and wellness in the public sector?

Yes

QUESTION 7 If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide a brief summary of your experience in benefits, leave administration and wellness in the public sector including the types of benefit plans you have overseen, the size of the employee population, your level of responsibility, and your involvement in program evaluation, and cost management. If none, write "N/A".
QUESTION 8 Select which most accurately describes your experience overseeing benefits programs:

No experience

Some but less than 2 years

2 years but less than 4 years

4 years but less than 7 years

7 years or more

QUESTION 9 Describe your experience managing or overseeing a workers’ compensation program. Include your involvement in claims management, return-to-work programs, injury prevention, carrier relationships, and identifying trends or opportunities to reduce claims costs and organizational risk. If no experience, type "N/A".
QUESTION 10 Please list which HR Information Systems (HRIS) and other benefits and leave administration related software programs you have direct experience using.
QUESTION 11 Please list all applicable HR-related certifications or designations (CEBS, SHRM-CP, PHR, SPHR, PSHRA-CP, PSHRA-SCP, CEBS, CCP etc.) that you currently possess. If none, write "N/A".
QUESTION 12 Briefly tell us why you are interested in working in the public sector and specifically for the Town of Queen Creek.
Required Question