Human Resources Benefits Specialist II

Livingston County, NY; Town of Mount Morris (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Livingston County in New York is seeking a Benefits Specialist II to administer employee benefit programs for employees and retirees. The role includes evaluating providers, ensuring plans comply with laws, and coordinating with vendors and the County Treasurer’s Office.

Office and field work are involved. The position emphasizes thorough knowledge of health and voluntary plans, COBRA, FMLA, and collective bargaining agreements, with strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in HR, business administration, or public administration.
• 1 year of full‑time, paid experience in HR assisting employees and retirees with benefit offerings.
• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
• See Special Qualifications below.

Responsibilities

• Administers employee benefits programs including health, dental, voluntary insurance, deferred compensation, flexible spending, and sick leave banks.
• Maintains records and prepares reports regarding employee benefits.
• Assists with reviewing potential benefits, prepares comparisons, and makes recommendations.
• Ensures compliance with state, federal, and local laws when setting up benefit plans.
• Acts as liaison between third‑party benefit administrators and the County.
• Assists with collective bargaining by analyzing benefit proposals and costs.
• Coordinates open enrollment activities for benefit plans.
• Keeps current knowledge of statutory changes and advises the County accordingly.
• Receives employee complaints and facilitates resolutions.
• Assists with RFP reviews to evaluate bidders of benefit services.
• Coordinates and/or provides training on employee benefit programs.
• Assists with developing and implementing new employee orientation for benefits.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Confidentiality

Relationship building

Written communication

Education

Master's degree in HR/Business/Public Administration

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Public Administration

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

Job description

RESIDENCY

Candidates must have been legal residents of the following jurisdiction(s) for at least four months immediately preceding the date of the application:

• Livingston County, or
• One of the following Counties: Allegany, Genesee, Monroe, Ontario, Steuben or Wyoming

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

In order for an application to be approved, the applicant must clearly show the training, education, experience, and/or licensure/certification stated in the Typical Qualifications. All qualifying information must appear on the application form. No credit will be given for a Work Experience description that is unclear.

The work involves responsibility for the administration of a variety of Livingston County (County) employee and retiree benefit programs. In addition to benefits administration, the incumbent performs other administrative functions as needed. The incumbent will assist with the evaluation of potential benefit providers, will insure that benefit programs are properly established and maintained, and will disseminate information to eligible benefit participants to ensure effective program operation. The work requires maintaining a relationship with third‑party vendors, County Treasurer’s Office, and County employees and retirees. Work is performed in the office and in the field. Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this class. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Human Resources with considerable leeway allowed for the use of independent judgment in performance of the work. A Benefits Specialist II does related work as assigned.

• Administers employee benefits programs including, but not limited to: health insurance, dental insurance, voluntary insurance plan offerings, deferred compensation, flexible spending, sick leave banks, etc.;
• Maintains records and prepares reports regarding employee benefits;
• Assists with the review of potential benefits, prepares comparisons, and makes recommendations regarding same;
• Assists with determining the necessary steps for setting up benefit plans to ensure compliance with State, Federal, and/or Local laws, rules, and regulations;
• Acts as the liaison between third‑party benefit administrators and the County;
• Assists with collective bargaining by analyzing benefit proposals, costs of such proposals, making recommendations, and making presentations at negotiating sessions as needed;
• Coordinates open enrollment activities for benefit plans;
• Maintains current knowledge of statutory and regulatory changes in the benefits area and advises the County on such changes that affect it;
• Receives employee complaints regarding benefit programs and either directs employees to the appropriate party for resolution or seeks resolution of the complaint directly personally, as appropriate;
• Assists with the review of responses to Requests for Proposals to evaluate bidders to provide benefit services and makes recommendations regarding same;
• Coordinates and/or provides training regarding employee benefit programs;
• Assists with the development and implementation of effective new employee orientation programs as they deal with employee benefits; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of various medical, dental plans, and voluntary insurance plan offerings as they apply to employees and retirees including Medicare and Medicaid; thorough knowledge of benefits such as Deferred Compensation and Flexible Spending; good knowledge of Federal and State laws such as COBRA and FMLA; good knowledge of collective bargaining agreements as they apply to employees and retirees; good analytical skill; good communications skills both oral and written; good customer services skills; ability to interpret and apply Federal, State, and local rules governing employee benefit plans; ability to maintain confidentiality regarding labor‑relations, private health information, and other sensitive employee matters; ability to work with persons of various socio‑economic and educational backgrounds; ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships; ability to get along with others; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; ability to keep accurate, clear records and make reports; ability to analyze, organize data and prepare clear and accurate reports; ability to address groups; good judgment; professionalism; tact; courtesy; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.Applicants must meet all requirements for one of the following qualification options in order to be approved for examination and/or appointment:

QUALIFICATION OPTION #1

• Possession of a Master’s degree [1] in human resource development, business administration, or public administration.
• One (1) year of full‑time, paid experience in a human resources position assisting employees and retirees with benefit offerings.
• N.A. (supervisory experience)
• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
• See Special Qualifications below.

QUALIFICATION OPTION #2

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree [1] in human resource development, business administration, or public administration.
• Three (3) years of full‑time, paid experience in a human resources position assisting employees and retirees with benefit offerings.
• N.A. (supervisory experience)
• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
• See Special Qualifications below.

QUALIFICATION OPTION #3

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree [1].
• Four (4) years of full‑time, paid experience in a human resources position assisting employees and retirees with benefit offerings.
• N.A. (supervisory experience)
• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
• See Special Qualifications below.

QUALIFICATION OPTION #4

• Possession of an Associate’s degree [1].
• Six (6) years of full‑time, paid experience in a human resources position assisting employees and retirees with benefit offerings.
• N.A. (supervisory experience)
• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
• See Special Qualifications below.

Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee.

Part‑time service will be given prorated credit toward experience requirements.

1. An appropriate driver’s license must be maintained throughout employment.
2. A driving record evidencing safe and responsible vehicle operation is required.
3. Must authorize and execute any necessary releases to enable the appointing authority to verify licensure and driving history involving violations and/or crimes.

PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT NOTICE

An individual who receives a provisional appointment must take the examination for the position title on the next occasion it is offered. In order to be eligible for a permanent appointment to the position, the provisional appointee must pass the exam and be ranked 1, 2, 3, or be tied in score with the individual ranked number 3 of those who are willing to accept appointment to the position. It should be understood that even if the provisional appointee is eligible for appointment, the employer may choose another candidate to fill the position on a permanent basis. Questions regarding provisional appointments should be directed to the Livingston County Human Resources Department.

NOTE

Livingston County residency is not a requirement for this position. However, Livingston County residents will be given priority in the hiring process.

Livingston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.