STATE BENEFITS SPECIALIST

Location: Little Rock, AR

Anticipated starting salary: $47,396.96 • Pay grade: SGS05 • Salary range: $47,397 - $70,148

About the role

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering and managing employee benefits programs for the State of Arkansas. This position ensures the accurate processing of benefits information and provides guidance and support to employees regarding their benefits options. The Benefits Specialist plays a critical role in promoting a thorough understanding of the state's benefits offerings while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration of employee benefits programs, including health insurance, dental, vision, retirement plans, life insurance, and other benefit offerings.
• Ensure timely and accurate enrollment, changes, and terminations of benefits.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for state employees regarding benefits inquiries.
• Provide guidance on eligibility, plan options, and assist with understanding benefit documents, policies, and procedures.
• Assist employees with benefits claims processing, ensuring that claims are filed accurately and within the required time frames.
• Investigate and resolve benefit issues and discrepancies in a timely and professional manner.
• Coordinate benefits open enrollment periods, ensuring employees are provided with the necessary information to make informed decisions regarding their benefits.
• Guide employees through the enrollment process and assist with any changes to their benefits selections.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of benefits administration, eligibility determination, and claims processing.
• In-depth knowledge of federal and state benefits-related regulations, including ACA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other related laws and policies.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and in accordance with privacy laws and regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with employees, answer questions, and resolve issues in a professional, helpful, and courteous manner.
• Strong critical thinking skills to analyze issues, identify solutions, and recommend the best course of action in resolving benefits-related challenges.
• Ability to review complex benefits information and accurately identify discrepancies or errors.

Other job-related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, except for certification or licensure requirements, upon approval of the Qualifications Review Committee.