BENEFITS SPECIALIST

City-of-Houston,-T; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston is seeking a Benefit Specialist to manage daily benefits operations for 59,000+ employees, retirees, and families. You will respond to questions, process life events, verify dependents, and handle forms, calls, and walk-ins in the Benefits Division.

You will work with SAP, OnBase, KRONOS, SharePoint, and Benefit Focus; you will participate in Open Enrollment and ensure accurate communications to employees and vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or related field required.
• Minimum of 1 year in health benefits, customer service, or related role.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to interact with all levels.
• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel; bilingual candidates encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Process Qualified Life Events and verify documentation for dependents.
• Explain benefits coverage and health plan options to employees.
• Communicate with department liaisons and health care vendors in writing.
• Assist Open Enrollment meetings and answer inquiries.
• Review Benefits Reports and update SAP or other systems.
• Provide back-up support to other Benefits representatives.
• Support other HR functions as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Bilingual

Coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

SAP

OnBase

KRONOS

SharePoint

Benefit Focus

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Division: STRATEGIC BENEFITS ADMINISTRATIONS & OPERATIONS
Reporting Location: 611 WALKER ST
Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM* *Subject to Change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Benefit Specialist position provides daily operations management of Benefits for 59,000+ City of Houston employees, retirees, and their families. The Benefit Specialist is responsible for responding to questions regarding Benefits coverage, processing Benefits plan changes due to Qualified Life Events, review and verification of new dependents’ supporting documentation, and processing other Benefits forms and paperwork. The Benefit Specialist is responsible for answering calls to the Benefits Call Center line and returning voicemails as needed as well as assisting any walk-ins to the Benefits Division. The Benefit Specialist also assists with oversight of processes through review of reports ranging from bi-weekly to annually to ensure accuracy and quality of benefits processes.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Process Qualified Life Events and review and verify required supporting documentation for adding or dropping dependents from benefits plans.
• Demonstrates extensive knowledge of benefits, including the administration of health plans offered to employees (medical, dental, vision, life, and other benefits).
• Provides accurate written communication to employees, department liaisons, and City health care vendors.
• Ensures callers, walk-in's, department liaisons and vendor representatives are informed about available benefits when prompted.
• Participates as a facilitator for Open Enrollment meetings.
• Researches, analyzes, and resolves customer issues.
• Reviews weekly, monthly or quarterly Benefits Reports and makes updates in SAP or other Benefits systems as needed based upon findings.
• Utilizes programs such as SAP, OnBase, KRONOS, SharePoint, Benefit Focus etc.
• Serves as a back-up to other benefits representatives.
• Proactively support additional functions within the Human Resources Department as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Social Science, Liberal Arts or a related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

One year of para-professional or professional health benefits, customer service, administrative, or other related experience is required. Pertinent experience at the professional level may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None

Preference will be given to candidates with one (1) or more years of benefits experience; proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; excellent communication skills for correspondence; good mathematical ability; ability to coordinate multiple tasks. Candidate should be able to communicate with all levels of management and assist with persons from diverse backgrounds. Bilingual candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

YES XNO

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification

PAY GRADE: 17

EOE Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.