Specialist, Benefits

Position Overview

The Benefit Specialist works in the benefits administration of employer-sponsored plans and assistance to employees and benefits vendors. An employee in this class is responsible for conducting benefit information meetings; responding to inquiries from employees and vendors; developing and maintaining working relationships with school, county and outside agency personnel, and ensuring that federal, state and School Board mandates are being implemented. Duties are primarily high-level administrative and technical, although routine clerical and office tasks are performed as well.  Work is performed independently, but subject to regulations and procedures, which require interpretation and judgment.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Administers all employer-sponsored benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts, Elective Deferral Programs, Wellness Works! Program and all other voluntary benefits offered.
• Analyzes and processes benefits self-service online enrollments, terminations and life event changes.
• Provides education and consultation to active and retired employees on benefit offerings, plan designs, and policies.
• Researches, analyzes and resolves complex benefits issues involving eligibility, enrollment, and claims.
• Conducts benefits orientations, open enrollment events, wellness screenings, and various benefits and wellness initiatives.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and industry trends to assist with benefit concerns and provide guidance to LCPS staff.
• Documents and maintains policies and procedures.
• Assists in identifying opportunities and continual improvements.
• Collaborate with third-party benefit vendors, to review, analyze and assist with timely responses relating to claims and provider network inquiries and issues, customer service quality, invoice/billings, reporting, and audits.
• Analyzes data to ensure the accuracy of benefits for eligibility, enrollment and reconciliation processes.
• Performs electronic file transmissions and carrier feeds to vendors which include: connection set up; validating and auditing files.
• Reviews, validates and reconciles payroll benefit deductions, vendor billing/invoices and resolves discrepancies.
• Assists in developing effective employee communications to improve understanding of benefit plans.
• Assists with the configuration and testing of benefits self-service portal.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Three years of specialized experience in benefits administration
• Knowledge and experience in benefits administration of Self-Funded health insurance programs preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Must be comfortable with creating and maintaining spreadsheets and electronic files, including the ability to create complex formulas and pivot tables
• Must be detail oriented
• Must have strong oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to create and deliver presentations to all levels of employees
• Experience with Oracle software or other integrated human capital management system is preferred
• Spanish speaking abilities preferred

Physical Requirements

The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this position:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly talking, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months/Days/Hours: 12 Months, 254 Days, 8 Hours

Reports To: Supervisor, Employee Health, Wellness and Benefits