Disability Benefits Officer

The Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program_ _(WCEBP)_ provides pension and long term disability benefits to employees of the City of Winnipeg and eight other participating employers. _The Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Long Term Disability Plan_ protects Members from a loss of income if they are unable to work for an extended period due to illness or injury. The _Program _strives to manage long-term disability claims in a manner that is service-oriented, responsible, cost-effective, and fair to all _Program Members._

The Disability Benefits Officer is also responsible for the supervision and training of clerical staff, including Calculations Clerk(s), who perform disability benefit calculations, issue benefit letters to Members who qualify for disability benefits, and complete delegated administrative tasks.

**As the** **Disability Benefits Officer **you will**:

- Provide training and supervision to clerical staff in the Disability Benefit calculation function, including assigning, monitoring, and checking disability benefit calculations and administrative tasks of the clerical staff
- Create correspondence explaining benefit entitlement
- Consult with Department Human Resources staff and Union representatives, when appropriate, to clarify payroll and complex benefit payment information
- Review disability benefit payment calculations for accuracy and consistency with Plan provisions and approves and signs benefit statements
- Liaise with other disability benefit providers to determine integration of disability benefits from other plans such as MPIC, WCB, CPP, and private insurers
- Maintain spreadsheets for multiple disability benefits calculations (partial benefits, overpayments, rehabilitation earnings, union increases, COLA adjustments, payroll checking and payroll totals)
- Negotiate arrangements of the recovery of sometimes large overpayments of disability benefits with Members
- Prepare year-end reconciliations and reports

**Your education and qualifications include**:

- Diploma in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration; **Certified Employee Benefits Specialist Designation** - Group Benefits Associate, and/or **Canadian Payroll Association Certification** - Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM), would be considered an asset;
- Two to three years of experience in supervising direct reports, preferably within a unionized environment;
- Experience with Pension and Benefits plans and general knowledge of disability claims is preferred;
- Highly developed and demonstrated analytical and mathematical skills are required;
- Thorough knowledge of disability benefit calculations, payroll practices and systems, and pension plan principles and demonstrated ability to perform complex benefit payment calculations and analyze and interpret payroll information and variance reports;
- Highly-developed and demonstrated research, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to effectively and efficiently resolve Member concerns and inquiries;
- Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel skills;
- Strong communication and relationship building skills - including written and oral communication with the ability to present information clearly and professionally to a wide range of people, including Plan members, Union Representatives, City and Non-City Human Resources staff, and other benefit providers such as CPP, WCB, and MPIC;
- Demonstrated excellent organization and time-management skills, with the ability to multi-task, coordinate and meet competing and multiple deadlines while maintaining high-level service;
- Proven self-starter, operating with a sense of urgency;
- Ability to represent _WCEBP_ in a professional manner at all times, including respecting and maintaining confidentiality and privacy of all matters and Members;
- Possess a flexible approach to work and a positive attitude, including the willingness and ability to learn and adapt to change;
- Thorough and detailed knowledge of the long-term disability and pension plan Trust Agreements, Pension Benefits Act (Manitoba) and relevant sections of Canada Pension Plan Disability Plan, Workers’ Compensation Board and MPIC guidelines (within 12 months).

**Conditions of employment**:

- The successful applicant must maintain legal eligibility to work in Canada. If the successful applicant possesses a work permit, it is their responsibility to ensure the permit remains valid.
- Applicants may be required to undergo testing to determine their knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to the qualifications of this position.

**CORE COMPETENCIES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF WINNIPEG**:

- Citizen & Customer Focus
- Respecting Diversity
- Ethics and Values
- Integrity and Trust
- Results Oriented