The Position

Incumbent works under the direction of the Human Resources Director or designee, supporting benefits administration.

Essential Functions

• Support the Compensation and Benefits Manager and assist with the administration of the County's benefit programs.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, auditors, other agencies, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and Human Resources operating policies and procedures.
• Provide timely response to benefit inquiries (e.g. plan provisions, benefit enrollments, status changes).
• Assist with new hire orientation and open enrollment (e.g. communication materials, enrollment materials).
• Ensure employees qualify for plan membership, obtain necessary documentation, and update HRIS database accurately.
• Complete vendor transmissions within established timeframes, audit error reports, and resolve errors.
• Liaise between employees and third party administrators/insurance carriers ensuring proper claim service and payment.
• Process benefit terminations, generate COBRA notices, and monitor COBRA coverage limits.
• Process and administer Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and long-term disability requests/documents ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Process and receipt insurance premium payments (e.g. retiree, leave of absence, COBRA).
• Review and audit insurance reports and records, research and reconcile discrepancies, and submit for payment.
• Coordinate resolution of benefit deduction issues with the Clerk's Office Payroll Division.
• Assist with the County Wellness Program activities, participate as a Wellness Committee member, draft employee communications, implement and support related activities, and coordinate with vendors.
• Gather and analyze data to measure success of wellness program and initiatives, and serve as the wellness champion gathering ideas and increasing participation levels.
• Create and maintain benefit-related webpages.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all sensitive, restricted or controlled documents and information in compliance with HIPAA and other privacy rules and regulations.
• Monitor federal and state laws and regulations and benefit trends.
• Complete assigned projects and provide periodic updates to management.
• Serve as a member of various committees as assigned.
• Report to work at assigned location with regular, predictable, and consistent attendance.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle when required to travel for County business.
• Perform other duties as directed and assigned.

Education and Work Experience and Other Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resource Management or Business Administration required.
• Two (2) years of benefits administration experience required.*
• Two (2) years of experience with MS Office required.
• Human Resources related certifications (PHR or SHRM-CP) preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and own mode of transportation at the time of hire and throughout employment.
• Completion of a pre-employment criminal records check and drug screen required.
• * Approved, related experience beyond requirement may be substituted for educational requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is generally performed indoors in an office setting. Noise level is usually moderate. Hours of work are generally standard day-shift hours; however work hours may occasionally include weekend, holiday, or overtime hours. Work may be fast paced when managing multiple priorities and dealing with competing needs and/or time constraints. Incumbent may encounter uncooperative, irate, or distraught persons while performing duties.
• Work requires some physical activity, including extended periods of sitting, standing and reaching, frequent walking, and occasional balancing, kneeling, and bending. Work also requires the ability to frequently lift and carry objects weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.
• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance and color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment.

Douglas County is an EOE - Disability/Veterans