Human Resources Benefits Specialist

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the daily benefit processing to include enrollments, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, medical and dental insurance, life, accident and disability, and retirement, etc.
• Answer benefit questions, research specific questions, and respond verbally or in writing as necessary.
• Processes and reviews benefit information ensuring that information is properly entered into the payroll/benefit system and staying informed of changes to benefit programs.
• Implements new and approved benefit plans and changes by preparing announcement material, booklets, and other media as well as conducting employee meetings for communicating new plans or changes to employees.
• Conducts employee benefit orientations, Annual Enrollment briefings and ensures employee understanding of benefit programs by regularly generating communication and counseling employees/dependents as situations arise.
• Resolves employee complaints related to benefit plans. Handles benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution.
• Acts as a resource for employees to ensure their understanding and compliance with benefit and HR policies and regulations.
• Keeps management advised of potential problem areas and recommends/implements solutions as appropriate.
• Maintains compliance with COBRA, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA and other federal and state laws.
• Monitors, administers, and communicates with employees matters regarding COBRA, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA and other federal and state laws ensuring compliance.
• Completes testing on benefit processes and reporting functionality related to, regular system updates/enhancements, and provider implementations as needed.

Education/Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources/Benefits, Business Administration, or equivalent in education and experience.
• One year of experience in employee benefits and/or HR administration or related field preferred.

Additional Information & Requirements

• Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Group Benefits Associate (GBA)/Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred.
• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
• Note: The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.