Benefits Specialist

Jefferson County (TX); Beaumont (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Jefferson County is seeking a Benefits Coordinator to support eligibility and enrollment for employee and retiree benefits, including medical, dental, COBRA, FSAs, life, and LTD. The role requires data entry for hires and retirees, updating coverage, and collaboration with third-party administrators and carriers.

The position emphasizes employee assistance with benefits, report generation, confidentiality, and cross-training to back up other roles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (or equivalent) in business/administration or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of benefits administration experience.
• Excellent computer and data-reporting skills (knowledge of database/report writing).
• Strong knowledge of Federal and Texas State laws governing benefits; ability to interpret and apply them.

Responsibilities

• Administer employee and retiree health benefit programs (medical, dental, COBRA, FSAs, life, LTD, and other benefits).
• Enter data for new hires, separations, and retirees; update coverage as needed; coordinate with third-party administrators and carriers.
• Assist employees with benefit questions and problem resolution; maintain confidentiality.
• Extract, organize, and report benefit data; prepare billing statements and other reports; deliver benefit seminars when required.

Skills

Computer skills

Data base report writing

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Insurance or related field

Job description

Summary:

Responsible for facilitating the eligibility and enrollment of employee and retiree benefits.

Essential Job Functions:

Assists with the administration of the employee and retiree health benefit programs, which includes medical, dental, COBRA administration, flexible spending accounts, life, LTD, general liability and other benefits offered to employees; Performs the data entry of all new employee hires, employee separations, and retirees regarding various insurance coverage; updates coverage as necessary; works closely with third party administrators, insurance carriers and County employees; assists employees in resolving problems relating to all health benefits; extracts and organizes benefit information, produces detailed reports, billing statements, etc. Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of the job. Cross train to back up Benefits Coordinator and Claims & Risk Analyst in their absence; makes oral presentations to large and small groups.

Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.

Other Job Functions:

Performs other job related duties, as directed.

NOTE:

The above describes the general nature and level of work being performed by employees holding this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required nor are all duties listed necessarily performed by any one employee so classified.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Insurance or related field preferred and 2 years experience in benefits administration or any equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience in benefits administration.

Equipment Used:

Personal computer/mainframe computer terminal; other general office equipment as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Excellent computer skills; knowledge of data base report writing software; knowledge of Federal and Texas State Law pertaining to benefits; ability to read and interpret laws and administrative documents; ability to present ideas and recommendations effectively either orally or in written form; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, and the general public; ability to organize benefit seminars and make presentations to large groups; ability to multi-task and prioritize; must be detailed oriented. Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Work Situations/Demands/Effort:

Work requires organizing; accuracy; attention to detail; working alone and as part of a group; dependable, punctual; flexibility in order to perform a variety of duties; performing routine, repetitive duties; working in high volume environment.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed primarily in climate controlled open office environment which is shared with other employees.

Physical Requirements:

Work is primarily sedentary; duties require walking within department and to other offices to deliver or retrieve paperwork; frequent prolonged sitting to do data entry; frequent reaching, lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 10 lbs. such as files and reports.

Jefferson County is an equal opportunity employer. The County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status (disabled), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or political affiliation in employment or the provision of services. To request a reasonable accommodation or other assistance, contact a Human Resources representative at [phone], or for the hearing impaired, through RELAY Texas at 1-800-735-2989 or mail your request to 1225 Pearl St., Suite 201 Beaumont, Texas 77701.