Human Resources Benefits Specialist
Position Purpose
Under the direction of the Human Resources Director this position manages all functions associated with the administration of the Agency’s employee benefit program. This position coordinates and manages all aspects of employee benefits, to include, but not limited to health insurance, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability insurance, workers compensation claims, flexible spending account plans and employee assistance program (EAP). Must have third party administrator experience.
Essential Job Responsibilities – Performance Indicators
Benefits Administration
- Manage and schedule employee benefits enrollment. Provide direction to the Human Resources and Finance staff responsible for processing employee benefit transactions.
- Coordinate and correspond with various internal and external customers, such as agencies and benefit plan administrators (external); directors, managers, departments and staff (internal).
- Maintain in-depth knowledge and expertise in employee benefits services, makes recommendations on pending legislative actions regarding benefits, conduct benefits research, responds to benefits issues, and answers benefits queries.
- Analyze the flow of employee benefits data and develops internal procedures, guidance, and training for staff to facilitate the timely and accurate update of employee information and benefits records.
- Identify necessary changes in business processes to ensure efficient and accurate workflow and the best utilization of system capabilities in order to fit the Agency business needs. Works with HR and Finance staff to develop and implement improved processes.
- Administer and manage the Agency’s employee benefits plan, to include, but not limited to health, dental, and vision plans, premium rates, short-term/long-term disability and workers compensation claims and leave requests.
- Researches and recommends to the Joint Labor Benefits Committee (JLB) cost containment strategies and options.
- Ensure compliance with Federal and State laws, including, but not limited to Affordable Care Act, Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPPA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), etc.
- Responds to employee questions regarding health insurance benefits and assists employees in resolving claims issues.
- Identifies changing systems needs due to legal or contractual changes affecting benefits.
- Researches and evaluates complex human resource and employee benefit issues; develops effective solutions and options; develops costing and implementation proposals.
- Develops and implements short and long-term work-plans and sets priorities
Miscellaneous Administrative Support
- Participate in Safety Committee Meetings to act as HR Representative.
- Assist supervisors and staff with HR/personnel data, policy and procedure requests.
- Assist with special assignments to include data collection and preparation of various documents related to collective bargaining and grievance resolution documentation, as well as other HR related matters.
- Perform other duties as requested by HR Director
