Insurance Specialist

Job Title Insurance Processor General Description REOPENED TO FILL THE EXISTING ONE VACANCY STARTING SALARY $20.7206 TO $24.8647 35 HOURS PER WEEK Under general supervision, performs administrative and clerical work in support of effective and efficient City operations. Work involves assisting in the administration of the City's insurance programs; processing and monitoring health benefits for City's employees and their dependents including employee health coverage, life coverage, workman's compensation coverage, and other supplemental coverages. Reports to the Assistant Director. Duties of Responsibilities ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Processors/Insurance perform a variety of work according to assigned work and/or supervisor. Duties may include the following: Processes benefit inquiries and complaints to insure quick, equitable, and courteous resolutions. Serves as administrator of COBRA plan in accordance with federally mandated regulations. Maintains database information pertinent to the administration of insurance program. Processes changes to employee insurance benefits during yearly open enrollment. Processes and tallies monthly premium payments for invoices related to City insurance benefits. Prepares and/or processes various records and reports such as COBRA letter, Retiree letters, etc. Refers to procedure manual, Internet, websites, policy and procedure manuals, codes / laws / regulations, publications and reference texts, etc. Operates a variety of office equipment and machinery such as adding machine, copy machine, fax machine, computer, printer, etc. Uses a variety of tools such as standard office tools, etc.; a variety of supplies such as paper, writing instruments, staples, tape, general office supplies, etc.; and a variety of computer software such as Microsoft Office, Crystal Reports, Munis, Print Shop, etc. Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as Assistant Director, Director, City employees, insurance companies, and the general public. Prepares ledgers for exiting employee's health and supplemental insurance coverages. Enrolls new employees in healthcare programs; conducts orientation to explain benefits. Works closely with and oversees the Insurance Processor position and acts as a backup in their absence. ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS Performs routine clerical tasks as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, sending and receiving emails, entering and retrieving computer data. Performs related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Requires a high school diploma or equivalent with at least three (3) years in personnel/human resources, employee benefits administration, or very closely related administrative experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Must possess some accounting skills. Must also possess a current, valid Louisiana driver's license. An accredited Associate's degree or higher in Accounting, Bookkeeping or Finance will substitute for some of the required experience. NON-COMPETITIVE - ALL WHO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND HAVE SUBMITTED ALL REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION WILL HAVE THEIR DETAILS FORWARDED TO THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT. Supplemental Information Physical Requirements: Must by physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines and equipment, which includes a computer, typewriter, printer, telephone, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights a minimum of ten (10) pounds. Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things. Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor. Language Ability: Requires ability to read a variety of professional and administrative reports and documentation, policy and procedure manuals, job applications, etc. Requires the ability to prepare general reports, studies, recommendations, correspondence, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence. Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagrammatic or schedule form. Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow verbal and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including accounting, personnel. Numeric Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to use mathematical formulas, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to use basic accounting mathematics and practical applications of fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion. Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape. Motor Coordination: Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes in using office equipment. Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Color Discrimination and Visual Acuity: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color; requires the visual acuity to determine depth perception, peripheral vision, inspection for small parts; preparing and analyzing written or computer data, etc. Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job. Physical Communications: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Health insurance: Comprehensive medical benefits options are provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. Coverage is effective the first of the following month, following full-time employment. Dependent coverage is also available. The City of Kenner also offers voluntary insurance plans: DENTAL, VISION, and SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PLANS (VOLUNTARY LIFE, CANCER, ACCIDENT, CRITICAL ILLNESS, HOSPITAL CONFINEMENT, LONG-TERM DISABILITY and SHORT-TERM DISABILITY). Life insurance: All full-time employees are insured under a Group Life Insurance policy through Prudential Life Insurance Company. The coverage is one and half times the employee's salary, up to $300,000. The policy also provides a Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit. The premium cost is covered by the City of Kenner. Coverage is effective the first of the following month, following full time employment. Retirement system: The City of Kenner's regular full time employees are enrolled with the Municipal Employees Retirement System of Louisiana. Both the City of Kenner and the employee contribute the required percent to the system. The employee's contributions are kept on account and will be refunded, if the employees leaves employment before they are retirement eligible. Deferred compensation: The City of Kenner currently participates in a 457 Plan with MassMutual. This is a voluntary investment program that the employees are allowed to participate in at a contribution rate of their choice (must be within the designated maximum and minimum limits, as set for by Plan Document). The City of Kenner does not contribute to the 457 Plan. Holidays: Sixteen paid official holidays are observed, plus any other holidays which may be declared by the Mayor. Annual and sick leave: Eligible Kenner employees earn annual leave and sick leave. Accrual of hours will increase based on the number of years of service. Working test period: Upon appointment to a position in the classified service, the employee shall serve a working test period of six (6) months, unless extended. EAP: The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a program which provides a professional to help employees and their families to resolve problems. This service is 24 hrs. / 7 days per week, voluntary participation and confidential. Kenner reserves the right to at any time and from time to time to modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the benefit package.