Benefits Specialist

Comal County; New Braunfels (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental entity in Texas seeks a Benefits Administrator to manage employee health benefits programs, ensure compliance with legal requirements, and provide support to employees regarding their benefits. Candidates should have relevant experience and knowledge of benefits administration. This role requires strong communication and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of demonstrated Human Resources benefits experience required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits administration.
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or accredited certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Guide employees on health and welfare benefit programs.
• Assists with new hire orientation and presentations.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Excellent organizational skills

Attention to detail

Customer service skills

Database management

Education

High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)

Job description

Coordinates and administers employee health benefits program, which includes medical, dental, vision, Supplemental benefits, COBRA, flexible spending accounts, and employee leave programs (i.e., Short-term Disability (STD), Family Medical Leave (FMLA), and Sick Leave Pool (SLP), ADAAA Accommodations) using established formats and procedures. Assists employees in resolving problems relating to all health benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Duties include the following:

• Guides employees on health and welfare benefit programs including enrollment, eligibility, administration, claims resolution, payroll deductions, etc.
• Assists the HR Coordinator with new hire orientation and responsible for presentation on Comal County health and welfare benefits.
• Prepares and distributes written and verbal information to inform employees of benefit programs such as insurance plans, pension plans, paid time off, and special employer sponsored activities.
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information (HIPAA, ADAAA, FMLA, etc.).
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising departments on needed actions.
• Ensures that billing pertaining to various HR functions are verified, approved, and sent to Purchasing/Auditor's Office for payment.
• Maintains qualified dependents on existing policies in accordance with IRS guidelines.
• Provides customer service to employees ensuring required information and follow-up as it relates to county health and welfare benefits in accordance with approved policies and local, state, and federal laws.
• Responsible in providing improvements for benefit related processes, policies, and procedures.
• Administers employee information such as personal data, compensation, benefits, tax data, and any other related information pertaining to benefits (i.e. ARTS; 1094-C & 1095-C IRS Reporting).
• Responsible for COBRA and FMLA administration.
• Communicates with HR Manager regarding events and developments affecting employees and/or department.
• Organizes and provides support to the HR Generalist for the annual open enrollment process.
• Maintains record of insurance coverage, pension plan, and other personnel transactions.
• Prepares and assists HR Manager/HR Sr Generalist with Workers’ Compensation claims.
• Administers out-processing documentation for employee separation events.
• Responsible for the accuracy of monthly benefit invoices and HRIS data entry as it relates to employee premium election(s).
• Performs records management as required by Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).
• Other duties as assigned.
• Attendance is an essential function of the job.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Assists with employee ID badges (new hires, separations, changes in access levels, replacements).
• Assists and compiles occupational data, distribution reports, organizational flow charts, and other background information required for HR analysis/metrics.
• Attend training seminars to remain up to date on changes/trends in technical knowledge related to job.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.

Note

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is assigned by the supervisor.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or GED equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university is preferred; three (3) to five (5) years of demonstrated Human Resources benefits experience required; Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits administration. Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or accredited certification preferred. Knowledge of policies and practices of Human Resources administration; or any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Skill in database management and record keeping
• Knowledge of all phases of the job and the various techniques and skills necessary for efficient completion of tasks.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADAAA, Section 125, and DOL requirements.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point), Adobe, and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)
• Knowledge of Human Resources principles, practices and procedures
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal employment laws and best practices
• Able to perform essential duties with general direction

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Hands‑on PC knowledge dealing with word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs essential. Experience and ability to deal with the public required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a sedentary position. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.