Benefits Manager - Human Resources

Benefits Manager – Human Resources (250008EV)

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency of Massachusetts, is seeking a Benefits Manager to oversee all aspects of Leaves of Absence and reasonable accommodations, serve as the Agency GIC Coordinator, and manage SMART Plan administration. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of two days per week in our Boston Office.

In this role, you would join a strong, experienced HR team supporting an organization of passionate professionals providing legal services to indigent clients in Massachusetts.

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our values include diversity, equity, and inclusion as core components of a respectful and supportive work climate. CPCS is committed to fostering diversity, ensuring an inclusive environment, and promoting the dignity and well‑being of all staff members.

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency represents clients in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as appeals and post‑conviction and post‑judgment proceedings related to those matters.

The Human Resources Department for CPCS strives to provide exceptional service for our clients and our staff. By upholding an environment that maximizes employee experience, fosters personal and professional growth, and enhances mastery of the general practice of the law, we aim to deliver superior representation for our clients.

The department encompasses three main practice areas:
Benefits and Wellness, Payroll, and Recruiting and Hiring.

The Benefits Manager is a key position in the Human Resources Department that acts as the department liaison with a variety of direct providers of state benefits. The role oversees all aspects of Leaves of Absence and reasonable accommodations, serves as the Agency GIC Coordinator, manages SMART Plan administration, processes and manages workers’ compensation claims, and oversees the employee assistance program.

The Benefits Manager communicates regularly with CPCS employees, other agencies, and organizations, reports to the Director of Human Resources, and supervises two HR Generalists who are part of the Benefits Team.

Responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Providing daily supervision of Benefits staff, including completing annual performance evaluations and promoting staff professional development;
• Ensuring compliance with CPCS HR policies, procedures, and applicable statutes in matters pertaining to Benefits and Leave Administration;
• Managing all leaves of absence, ensuring requested leaves are examined for eligibility, applying rules regarding paid and unpaid time, ensuring appropriate documentation and forms are completed and reviewed for approval, and creating and maintaining leaves of absence reports;
• Serving as CPCS’ GIC coordinator and managing all benefit programs, including the roll‑out of annual open enrollment;
• Managing and processing reasonable accommodation and alternative work schedule requests;
• Working closely with the HR Payroll team to manage and process benefit‑related deduction issues and adjustments;
• Serving as the SMART Plan coordinator to oversee and administer CPCS employees into the SMART Plan;
• Managing the workers’ compensation process, including ensuring that workplace injuries are reported and all required forms are completed;
• Managing and determining eligibility for the Sick Leave Bank;
• Partnering with other HR managers to understand all necessary work stream impacts and needs and to ensure clear communication of department purpose, objectives, and achievements;
• Supporting the HR…