Human Resources Specialist - Benefits

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

 

Performs responsible professional and paraprofessional work in the Human Resources Systems for the County.

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

 

An employee in this class administers a variety of Benefits Programs for County employees and serves as the primary contact for employees regarding benefit questions or issues.  The employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in completing assigned tasks and tact and courtesy in frequent contact with County employees, Department Directors, and the General public. Reports directly to the Human Resources Director with an indirect report to the HR Benefits Division Manager and is evaluated by discussion, reports, observation, and feedback from the HR Benefits Division Manager, Managers, and employees.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND TASKS

 

Serve as the employee’s primary contact regarding benefit questions or issues, answers questions regarding health insurance, and provides related information in person, by phone and through email.

 

Conducts Annual Open Enrollment including speaking at employee meetings, assist employees with understanding and choosing options while ensuring the appropriate verification documents are submitted.   Enters benefits changes into the database, helps with scheduling and other logistics, and prepares presentations reflecting benefit changes, policy changes, etc.

 

Conducts the County’s New Employee Orientation at least twice per month.  Enrolls employees in benefits while ensuring the appropriate verification documents are submitted, prepares orientation packets, collects completed enrollment forms, and ensures that benefits and policies are up to date in the Onboarding & Orientation Programs.

 

Handles and processes Qualifying Life Events.

 

Reconciles and prepares monthly payments of County insurance premiums.  Research discrepancies and notify appropriate Benefit Company of changes. 

 

Handles the entry and maintenance of the Flexible Spending Account.

 

Handles the termination process for retirements, including setting up and maintenance of Retiree Health Insurance Stipends, Separation Allowances, transitioning from the Employee to Retiree Health Plan.

 

Prepares and processes benefit deductions (to include non-wellness and/or lost discount deductions), changes in benefits, name changes, and addresses for New Hires, etc. through MUNIS and the necessary benefit sites.

 

Serves as employee liaison with benefits vendors and researches and resolves claims and other benefit issues.

 

Participates in other Human Resources activities and programs as needed including research, problem-solving, arranging logistics, and other issues.

 

Establishes, prepares, and maintains a variety of records and reports.

 

Assists with the Annual Service Award Program and the Recognition Program.

 

Assist with special projects as needed.

 

Serves as back-up to other positions in the Department as needed.

 

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

 

Performs other related work and additional duties as required and/or assigned. 

           

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION GUIDELINES

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

 

Considerable knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of Human Resource Management with specialized knowledge of benefits administration.

 

Considerable knowledge of the laws, principles, court cases, and regulations that apply to benefits, personnel policies, programs and practices in the public sector.

 

Considerable knowledge of the trends and modern technology being implemented in the human resources fields.

 

Skill in public speaking, problem-solving, public contact, and conflict resolution.

 

Ability to maintain an effective Benefits Program, and to provide management with costs projections, statistical trends, program accomplishments and recommendations for implementing new programs.

 

Ability to analyze facts, programs, and benefits costs and make recommendations and reports in oral and written forms.

 

Ability to maintain the confidentiality of personnel records and discussions.

 

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with officials, department directors, employees, and the general public.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Must be able to perform the basic life operational skills of climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.

 

Must be able to perform medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift objects.

 

Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform accounting tasks, operate a computer terminal, and do extensive reading.

 

DESIRABLED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

 

Graduation from an accredited College or University with a Degree in Human Resource Management, and one (1) to three (3) years of experience in Benefits Administration, knowledge of Annual Open Enrollment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred.