Program Specialist (Benefits)
Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Tallahassee, Florida
Job Type: Salaried Full-Time
Job Number: 202600036
Office: OLS - Human Resources
Opening Date: 09/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Summary
THE WORK YOU WILL DO
The Office of Legislative Services, Human Resources (HR) Office is seeking a qualified HR Specialist for their Benefits section. This person will be responsible for assisting with the administration of all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension and Investment plans.
OUR ORGANIZATION
The Office of Legislative Services provides centralized administrative, management and support services to the Florida Senate, House of Representatives and other legislative offices. The HR Office reports to the Coordinator for the Office of Legislative Services.
The HR Office oversees employment processes such as attendance and leave, onboarding, payroll, workers compensation and benefits administration for the Florida Legislature. The HR Office manages the Legislature's Human Capital Management System (HCM) and assists the offices with recruiting and training efforts. The HR Office is responsible for compliance with policies and procedures and all appropriate approvals regarding personnel actions.
Examples of Work Performed
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business or public administration, or a related field and three years of professional experience in accounting, auditing, budgeting, human resource, staff development or training, purchasing, research, analysis, program planning and evaluation, or administrative work; or
A master's degree from an accredited college or university in business, public administration or a related field can substitute for one year of the required experience.
Professional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates with State of Florida employee benefits and FRS experience.
SALARYCommensurate with Experience (Minimum $44,580)
The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Open until filled
ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITYIf an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at (850) 488-6803.
Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays. Learn more below!
Health and Dental Insurance
Employees have a choice of participating in the State Self Insured Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) if available in the county of residence or employment (Standard and High Deductible Investor plans are available). Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage. Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For dental insurance, the Legislature offers a PPO plan that offers choice of dentist and pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges. There is a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.
Leave Accrual Benefits
Annual Leave accrues as follows based on creditable state service:
Up to 5 years - 11 hours per month 5 to 10 years - 13 hours per month Over 10 years - 15 hours per month
Sick Leave accrues at 9 hours per month for all full-time employees.
Life and Disability Insurance
Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For disability insurance, the Legislature offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days. The Legislature pays the total premium.
Retirement
Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees. New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan. New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date. Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium
Florida Pre-Tax Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan
This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis. The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability. The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts. A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered. The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.
Paid Holidays
New Year's Day - Martin Luther King Day - Memorial Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Veteran's Day - Thanksgiving Day - Friday After Thanksgiving - Christmas Day - Personal Holiday
Total Compensation Statement
The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $50,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.
Location : Tallahassee, Florida
Job Type: Salaried Full-Time
Job Number: 202600036
Office: OLS - Human Resources
Opening Date: 09/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Summary
THE WORK YOU WILL DO
The Office of Legislative Services, Human Resources (HR) Office is seeking a qualified HR Specialist for their Benefits section. This person will be responsible for assisting with the administration of all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension and Investment plans.
OUR ORGANIZATION
The Office of Legislative Services provides centralized administrative, management and support services to the Florida Senate, House of Representatives and other legislative offices. The HR Office reports to the Coordinator for the Office of Legislative Services.
The HR Office oversees employment processes such as attendance and leave, onboarding, payroll, workers compensation and benefits administration for the Florida Legislature. The HR Office manages the Legislature's Human Capital Management System (HCM) and assists the offices with recruiting and training efforts. The HR Office is responsible for compliance with policies and procedures and all appropriate approvals regarding personnel actions.
Examples of Work Performed
- Assists employees in matters of retirement, group insurance, and other benefits.
- Responds to questions and problems in the administration of benefits for Legislators, employees, and with other agency personnel.
- Coordinates with the Finance and Accounting Office on journal transfers, refunds, and vouchering warrants for premium and retirement payments.
- Assists in administering phases of the diversified and comprehensive legislative human resource program.
- Researches and proposes improvements in the legislative human resource system.
- Processes and maintains confidential personnel records of all employees.
- Assists in recommending new personnel policies and procedures and changes to existing ones.
- Inputs data into the legislative HCM system and monitors computerized personnel reports and records.
- Performs special assignments, prepares reports, and drafts letters of response to inquiries.
- Advises employees and supervisors on workers' compensation programs and processes injury reports.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of benefit programs administered by the Florida Retirement System and the Division of State Group Insurance.
- Knowledge of the basic principles of personnel administration.
- Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of human resources.
- Knowledge of standard computer programs.
- Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to formulate policies and procedures.
- Ability to understand and apply related rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
- Ability to use tact and exercise good judgment when interacting with Legislators and staff, other agencies, and the public.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business or public administration, or a related field and three years of professional experience in accounting, auditing, budgeting, human resource, staff development or training, purchasing, research, analysis, program planning and evaluation, or administrative work; or
A master's degree from an accredited college or university in business, public administration or a related field can substitute for one year of the required experience.
Professional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates with State of Florida employee benefits and FRS experience.
SALARYCommensurate with Experience (Minimum $44,580)
The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Open until filled
ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITYIf an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at (850) 488-6803.
Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays. Learn more below!
Health and Dental Insurance
Employees have a choice of participating in the State Self Insured Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) if available in the county of residence or employment (Standard and High Deductible Investor plans are available). Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage. Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For dental insurance, the Legislature offers a PPO plan that offers choice of dentist and pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges. There is a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.
Leave Accrual Benefits
Annual Leave accrues as follows based on creditable state service:
Up to 5 years - 11 hours per month 5 to 10 years - 13 hours per month Over 10 years - 15 hours per month
Sick Leave accrues at 9 hours per month for all full-time employees.
Life and Disability Insurance
Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For disability insurance, the Legislature offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days. The Legislature pays the total premium.
Retirement
Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees. New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan. New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date. Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium
Florida Pre-Tax Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan
This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis. The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability. The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts. A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered. The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.
Paid Holidays
New Year's Day - Martin Luther King Day - Memorial Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Veteran's Day - Thanksgiving Day - Friday After Thanksgiving - Christmas Day - Personal Holiday
Total Compensation Statement
The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $50,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.