Benefits Administrator

Position Summary

The Benefits Administrator is responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations for group benefit programs including group health, dental, vision, long-term disability, life insurance, travel and accident, flexible spending plans, EAP, wellness and retirement plans. This position is responsible for continually investigating new benefit programs, improving existing programs while ensuring excellent service.

Primary Position Responsibilities

• Develops, manages, and implements processes to ensure the organization’s compliance with federal HIPAA regulations and guidelines, particularly regarding the organization’s access to and use of protected health information.
• Develops communications tools to enhance understanding of the company’s benefit package including designing and distributing materials for benefit orientations, open enrollment, summary plan descriptions and ongoing education for employees.
• Research new benefit programs, improves existing programs and provides analytical and technical support in the delivery of benefit programs.
• Serves as a primary contact for insurance carriers, insurance brokers and ERISA attorney.
• Prepares and executes, with legal consultation, benefit documents and agreements and insurance policies.
• Ensures company compliance with provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Affordable Care Act including preparing reports and applications required by law to be filed with federal and state agencies.
• Reviews changes to state and federal laws pertaining to benefits and reports necessary or suggested changes to leadership.
• Develops benefit information, statistics and census data for actuaries, insurance carriers and leadership.
• Coordinates transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration.
• Responsible for evaluating and updating benefit data in the HRIS & Payroll systems.
• Oversees the Wellness Program
• Functions as a liaison between vendors, employees, retirees, and Board Members with respect to eligibility, coverage and other benefit matters to ensure quick, equitable and courteous resolution.
• Coordinates and processes life and long-term disability claims.
• Sustains strong relationships at all levels within the organization.
• Complies with established CoServ safety and operating rules, procedures and guidelines including reporting unsafe practices to a supervisor.
• Complies with established CoServ Information Security Handbook, policies, procedures, and guidelines including reporting suspected information security incidents to Tech Support.

Secondary Position Responsibilities

• Provides counseling and performs follow-up with retiring and terminating employees regarding options available under COBRA continuation coverage and pension programs.
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates Employee morale events.
• Performs other duties and activities as directed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Position Requirements

Experience, Education and Certifications Required

• High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalency.
• Seven (7) years of experience in Benefit Administration.
• Five (5) years of experience in managing self-funded plans.

Experience, Education and Certifications Preferred

• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist Certification (CEBS).
• Ten (10) years of experience managing self-funded plans.

Skills and Abilities Required

• Excellent human relations and communications skills, both written and verbal.
• Must have strong grammar skills.
• Must understand the confidentiality required for this position.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Demonstrates competencies of leadership skills – planning, coordinating, directing, listening and communication.
• Ability to work under strict deadlines.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Must possess personal computer skills and be proficient in Office 365 products including, but not limited to Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to work flexible and extended hours as needed or directed.

Skills and Abilities Preferred

• Knowledge of the cooperative business model.
• Knowledge of UKG Pro & Benefits Administration systems.

Physical Requirements

• Operates office equipment such as a computer, telephone, fax machine, copier, etc.
• Indoor, office environment.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
• Ability to drive occasionally as needed.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, and reaching.

Other Requirements

• Travels to conferences and other office sites.
• Must have and maintain a valid Texas driver's license.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.