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Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Human Resources Director

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

GENERAL PURPOSE:  

The benefits specialist is responsible for administrative and technical human resources support.  This includes assisting with the administration and account reconciliation of all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and other supplemental benefit plans.  This position will also assist with other day-to-day activities including workers’ compensation, leave of absence programs, wellness and safety team activities and office administration.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by the individual in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties as assigned.

Benefits Administration (40% of time)  

• Conducts presentation at New Hire Orientation and meet with employees to ensure their understanding of benefits options. 
  
• Responds accurately and timely to benefits inquiries from employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
  
• Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the online enrollment platform to deductions in the payroll system.  
  
• Enrolls and inactivates employees with carriers and processes life status changes in the online benefits platform. 
  
• Reconcile monthly invoices to employee benefits selections and verifies any updates.
  
• Responds to inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. 
  
• Assists employees with benefits claim issues, plan changes and enrollment in the online employee benefit platform. 
  
• Partners with external vendors to resolve claims and service issues.
  
• Coordinates all aspects of open enrollment including scheduling and conducting employee meetings, coordination with benefits providers, update of the employee benefits guide and assimilating information for meeting presentations. 
  
• Complies with, and conducts, annual compliance requirements including but not limited to ACA reporting, Medicare Part D letters, FSA non-discrimination testing, retiree communication and completes annual GASB audit.
  
• Attends and participates in broker benefit meetings for claims and compliance reviews.
  
• Annually, with the human resources director, review benefits and help make recommendations.
  
• Administers the tuition reimbursement program.
  
• Assists with annual enrollment and reconciliation of the sick leave pool policy. 
  
  

Payroll Processes (25% of time) 

• Enrolls and updates employee benefits in the payroll system and processes benefit status changes. 
  
• Complete calculations for any benefit reimbursements, or catch-up deductions, for employees and provide employee and employer amounts and accurately enters data into the payroll system. 
  
• Reconciles all benefits deductions and bills each pay period.
  

Leave and Work Comp Administration (10% of time) 

• Processes and administers all leave-of-absence requests including FMLA.
  
• Communicates with employees according to state and federal guidelines.
  
• Coordinates workers’ compensation claims, communication and processes.
  
• Processes paperwork for disability claims, as needed.
  

Office Administration (10% of time) 

• Effectively organizes all documents to ensure records compliance.
  
• Maintains personnel and benefits files. 
  
• Assists with the development of articles for the monthly Belton Beat and other employee communications.
  

Employee Wellness and Safety (5% of time) 

• Assists with wellness initiatives including taking minutes at meetings and coordinating events.
  
• Actively participate in the Safety Committee Meetings to assist with risk mitigation.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:  

• Ability to provide excellent customer service to employees and the public.
  
• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits as listed in the purpose, to include, but not limited to HIPAA, FMLA, ACA, and COBRA.
  
• Knowledge of state and federal employment laws.
  
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with incredible attention to detail.
  
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
  

Education and Experience: 

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in HR or related field of study preferred. Experience and/or other training/certification may be substituted for the education. 
  
• Two years’ experience in HR and/or benefits administration strongly preferred. Experience working with municipal accounting is beneficial.
  

Physical Requirements:  

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.