What are the responsibilities and job description for the Benefits Specialist position at Dartmouth College?
Position Purpose
A member of the Benefits team, reporting to the Director of Benefits, provides a broad range of benefits related to administrative research and customer service support with focused attention on retiree benefits and related resources. Administers the Dartmouth retiree medical and pharmacy benefits and acts as a liaison between the Dartmouth College Retiree community, vendors, and related health and wellness programs.
Description
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Excellent verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of the operations of self-insured and fully insured benefits plans
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
- Knowledge of computer applications including HRIS systems, Microsoft Office-Word, Access and Excel and ability to learn new programs and applications
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA regulations
- Experience working with both self-insured and fully insured health/benefits plans
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced knowledge of retiree health benefits, Medicare, Advantage Plans, EGWP and coordination of benefits. Retirement plans and federal/state regulations
- 2-3 years working with retiree health plan and EGWP administration
- Prior benefits administration including payroll entry and benefit contribution audits and reconciliation
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Karen L Wilson
Department Contact Phone Number
603-646-1753
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Karen Wilson, Director of Benefits and Wellness
Department Contact's Phone Number
603-646-1753
Equal Opportunity Employer
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.
Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Not an essential function
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions
The Benefits Office is currently recruiting for two full-time positions, both offering opportunities for professional development and growth in the Benefits field. We encourage qualified applicants to apply for both roles.
Benefits Administrative Specialist role: https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/77611
Benefits Administrative Specialist role: https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/77611
Key Accountabilities
Description
Retiree Health Benefits Administrator/Consultant
- Administer the Retiree Health benefits program for Dartmouth Retirees.
- Provide individual counseling for retirees and/or future retirees, advising them on benefit choices and coordination of Medicare programs.
- Provide comprehensive knowledge of plans, policies/procedures and federal/state regulations to support Retirees with health benefits questions/issues.
- Serve as liaison between retirees and retiree vendors, including Medicare Part D prescription vendor, the medical plan provider and other retiree benefit vendors, to help resolve any outstanding issues.
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with all levels of Faculty, Staff and the Dartmouth Retiree group, with the ability to foster inclusiveness and diversity.
- Create and update Retiree benefits correspondence, including open enrollment communications, any mid-year communications and updates, annual enrollment forms and Retiree Benefits website content.
Percentage Of Time
50%
Description
Retiree Health Management
- Communicate and interpret as needed Retiree Health policies/procedures, regulations and plan documents to employees and retirees.
- Perform administrative functions and coordinate activities within established deadlines and prioritize as needed to ensure compliance of enrollments, terminations, and changes to Retiree Health plans.
- Coordinate retiree health processes, including new enrollments, qualified changes and open enrollment processes.
- Present Retiree benefits education, including but not limited to scheduling, advertising, creating/modifying presentation materials, room scheduling and preparation.
- Coordinate education provided by outside vendors, including scheduling, creating/modifying presentation materials, and room preparation.
- Process weekly Medicare Part D reimbursements and subsidies, including new enrollments and/or changes to existing enrollments and research and correct discrepancies.
- Monitor and administer appropriate age-related notifications and review enrollment requests to ensure accurate information and documentation are received and coincide with Medicare and Social Security data and regulations.
- Monitor and audit enrollment systems to ensure accuracy and to make corrections/adjustments as necessary.
- Administer the retiree death benefit: Act as a point of contact for death notifications as well as utilize public and private resources to identify changes that may impact coverage and/or coordination of the retiree death benefit.
Percentage Of Time
25%
Description
General Office Functions
- Work closely with Benefits Staff to ensure uniformity within the processing of Retiree Health benefits, retirement plans and disability as it pertains to the member transitioning into retirement.
- Work to establish and maintain good working relationships with Dartmouth Retirees, representatives from vendors, College departments and Human Resources colleagues to administer retiree health benefit plans.
- Remain current with all federal/state regulations and Dartmouth College policies/procedures.
Percentage Of Time
25%
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Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
