Benefits Specialist Administrative Analyst II-County Administration, Human Resources

Process employees' benefit related transactions and address outstanding questions. Partner with carrier network to resolve ongoing service issues. Coordinate with the Benefit Manager to identify cost containment strategies, based upon plan utilization and claims data. This position serves in a confidential capacity within the definition of Howard County labor relations law and is ineligible for membership in a collective bargaining unit.
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs intermediate professional level administrative work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes administrative support of a functional program and professional level analysis and coordination of functional office programs and activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Evaluates, recommends, and administers employee benefit programs and has sound knowledge of federal and states laws governing benefits compliance.

Manage benefits transactions and work with vendors to make decisions about appropriate benefits packages.

Makes certain all insurance policies are renewed on time to avoid lapses in coverage for employees.

Research and develop health and wellness initiatives to mitigate plan costs.

Conduct cost benefit analysis of health and benefits programs. For example, plan utilization reports, vendor performance standards and industry benchmarks.

Conducts regular audits and compliance reviews of benefits packages and prepare compliance reports (Medicare Part D, ACA Compliance, HIPAA, etc.) for filing with applicable government compliance agencies.

Ensures benefits program and guidance is compliant and administered in accordance with carrier contracts.

Responsible for analyzing and developing employee communications to assist employees in understanding technical benefits, coordination of programs, impact of evolving benefit regulations (such as FMLA, Pregnancy Act, HIPPA, Section 125 nondiscrimination test rules, etc.) on employee benefits programs, such as medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, accident and disability insurance, pension retirement plan, 457(b) deferred compensation plans, and wellness benefits.

Stays abreast with emerging carrier programs and products that offer potential plan savings or cost avoidance.

Design and present open enrollment forums, departmental briefings, and employee orientations.

Serves as the department, to investigate and resolve questions regarding delivery and payment for services by contacting health care professionals and other service providers, benefit plan providers, and employees.

Complete data entry related to benefit eligibility and enrollment. In collaboration with the Benefits Manager, conduct periodic audits of benefit enrollment roster throughout the plan year.

Ensure benefits elections, new vendor contracts, cost share premiums, are validated prior to implementation.

Verifies the calculation of the monthly premium statements for all group insurance policies and maintain statistical data relative to premiums, claims and costs. Resolve administrative problems with the carrier representatives.

Assist Benefits manager in obtaining statistics and information in renewal process of any health, life and retirement plans that benefit the company.

Partner with Benefits Manager to manage and maintain documents highlighting benefits and County policies and procedures.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree and two (2) years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Certifications in CEBS or Professional Human Resources (PHR) certification highly desired

Strong understanding of benefit regulations (such as, Section 125 Plans, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, ADA, ACA compliance).

Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Demonstrated high level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Demonstrated knowledge of retiree health insurance, Medicare and Social Security.

Ability to research various retirement issues, document findings and present results.
Experience in a highly confidential work environment.
Must have superior analytical skills.

Must have good interpersonal skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before individual employees of organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals, and dates. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet set deadlines.