Employee Benefits Specialist

City of Des Moines; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Des Moines seeks a Benefits Administrator to support day-to-day administration of health, dental, life and other employee benefits. You will handle enrollments, COBRA administration, employee inquiries, and payments to third-party administrators; coordinate with insurers and wellness initiatives; assist with HRIS payroll reports.

Effective communication with city staff and external providers is essential.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in HR or related field is required.
• Some HR experience is required or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree and/or CEBS preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Administer changes related to benefits enrollments and status changes.
• Distribute and explain plan information to employees.
• Oversee COBRA continuation and regulations.
• Resolve issues with benefit providers and administrators.
• Process payments to third-party administrators and insurers.
• Assist in HRIS payroll reporting and reconciliation.

Skills

Employee benefits administration

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Associate’s degree in Human Resources

Bachelor’s degree

CEBS certification

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

General Statement of Duties

Under general direction, is responsible for performing varied administrative tasks in support of the day-to-day administration of the City’s employee benefit programs, including, but not limited to: health, dental, life and LTD insurance, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefits and deferred compensation. Work requires knowledge of and the ability to apply principles and practices of City employee benefits. Leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees, representatives of insurance companies, business organizations and the public.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree in Human Resources or a related field; and
• Some experience in Human Resources; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred, but not required.

Required Special Qualifications

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination, drug screen and background check.
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Administer changes related to insurance enrollments, deferred compensation contributions, and other status changes;
• Distribute and explain plan information to current and retired employees;
• Oversee and administer COBRA regulations and continuation;
• Resolve employee and retiree issues with insurance providers and other benefit administrators;
• Process payment to third-party administrators, insurance carriers and benefit consultant(s);
• Identify employees on leave and analyze deduction reports to verify amounts missed for payroll deductions, contact affected employees and arrange repayment agreement to ensure continuing coverage;
• Administer invoicing system for the City’s retiree group;
• Assist in the planning, development, and implementation of wellbeing initiatives and events;
• Support and assist with HRIS system payroll reports;
• Keep immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved methods of addressing such problems;
• Attend meetings, workshops and training sessions and review publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in the assigned work areas;
• Perform other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.