Location: Human Resources
Job Title: Human Resources Specialist - Benefits

Created: 7/1998
Revision Date: 7/2004, 7/2006, 1/2008, 10/2010, 08/2011, 6/2012, 7/2014, 3/2015,

/2016, 3/2017, 6/2018, 6/2020, 6/2021, 9/2022, 12/2023 5/2024

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class administers a variety of Benefits Programs for County employees and serves as the primary
contact for employees regarding benefit questions or issues. The employee must exercise initiative and independent
judgment in completing assigned tasks and tact and courtesy in frequent contact with County employees, Department
Directors, and the General public. Reports directly to the Human Resources Director with an indirect report to the HR
Benefits Division Manager and is evaluated by discussion, reports, observation, and feedback from the HR Benefits
Division Manager, Managers, and employees.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND TASKS

Serve as the employee’s primary contact regarding benefit questions or issues, answers questions regarding health

Conducts Annual Open Enrollment including speaking at employee meetings, assist employees with understanding
and choosing options while ensuring the appropriate verification documents are submitted. Enters benefits changes
into the database, helps with scheduling and other logistics, and prepares presentations reflecting benefit changes,
policy changes, etc.

Conducts the County’s New Employee Orientation at least twice per month. Enrolls employees in benefits while
ensuring the appropriate verification documents are submitted, prepares orientation packets, collects completed

Handles and processes Qualifying Life Events.

Reconciles and prepares monthly payments of County insurance premiums. Research discrepancies and notify
appropriate Benefit Company of changes.

Handles the entry and maintenance of the Flexible Spending Account.

Handles the termination process for retirements, including setting up and maintenance of Retiree Health Insurance
Stipends, Separation Allowances, transitioning from the Employee to Retiree Health Plan.

Prepares and processes benefit deductions (to include non-wellness and/or lost discount deductions), changes in benefits,
name changes, and addresses for New Hires, etc. through MUNIS and the necessary benefit sites.

Serves as employee liaison with benefits vendors and researches and resolves claims and other benefit issues.

Participates in other Human Resources activities and programs as needed including research, problem-solving,
arranging logistics, and other issues.

Establishes, prepares, and maintains a variety of records and reports.

Assists with the Annual Service Award Program and the Recognition Program.

Assist with special projects as needed.

Serves as back-up to other positions in the Department as needed.

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION GUIDELINES

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of Human Resource Management with specialized
knowledge of benefits administration.

Considerable knowledge of the laws, principles, court cases, and regulations that apply to benefits, personnel
policies, programs and practices in the public sector.

Considerable knowledge of the trends and modern technology being implemented in the human resources fields.

Skill in public speaking, problem-solving, public contact, and conflict resolution.

Ability to maintain an effective Benefits Program, and to provide management with costs projections, statistical
trends, program accomplishments and recommendations for implementing new programs.

Ability to analyze facts, programs, and benefits costs and make recommendations and reports in oral and written

Ability to maintain the confidentiality of personnel records and discussions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with officials, department directors, employees,
and the general public.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.

force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift objects.

computer terminal, and do extensive reading.

DESIRABLED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited College or University with a Degree in Human Resource Management, and one
(1) to three (3) years of experience in Benefits Administration, knowledge of Annual Open Enrollment, or an
equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities