HR Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist

We're hiring a Benefits Specialist to help support the employees who serve our community every day. In this role, you'll guide employees through benefit and leave-related decisions, help navigate complex insurance and coverage issues, and ensure access to important programs during key life events. This is an opportunity to combine customer service, problem-solving, and public service while making a meaningful impact on the employee experience. If you're passionate about helping others, enjoy working through complex situations, and want to support a mission-driven workforce, we'd love to hear from you!

The current vacancy is in the Human Resources Department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or county. To evaluate and maintain records, manuals, events or reports, and audit personnel and insurance-related transactions and documents in order to ensure accurate benefits, personnel, and/or payroll records for Ramsey County employees and retirees; respond to internal and external requests for benefit, or personnel information; to advise and instruct departmental staff of the proper methods for completing and processing transactions and other related documents; to perform other functions and related duties as assigned. Flexible Workplace This position is identified under the designation of 'flex work eligible', meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county's flexible workplace policy.

Examples of Work Performed

1. Advise and inform Personnel Transactions Benefits Assistants (PBTAs) about insurance coverage options, pretax benefit plans, requirements for enrollment, changes to existing coverage, and changes to union bargaining agreements and county work rules affecting insurance program status.
2. Interpret and explain provisions of the county's insurance benefit programs for employees and retirees, including assisting employees in completing necessary forms to enroll or make changes in benefit programs, answering questions about changes in contracts and coverage, and determining if requests meet legal requirements.
3. Ensure enrollment of all eligible employees/retirees in group insurance benefits by reviewing applications, entering in computer system, and enrolling employees with insurance carriers.
4. Act as liaison between employees, retirees, or department PBTA's and insurance carriers to insure proper claim service and correct payment; resolve complex discrepancies; and provide information about filing appeals if necessary.
5. Audit various billings for accuracy, research and reconcile errors, and collect premiums where no payroll deduction has occurred.
6. Administer death and disability claims by gathering all required documentation, and processing waiver of premiums for disabled employees for life insurance coverage.
7. Notify employees going on paid or unpaid leave and returning from unpaid leave of their benefits options, invoicing when no premiums are being deducted, and collecting premiums owed.
8. Inform employees and dependents becoming ineligible for coverage of their rights to continue under state and federal law (COBRA) and may assist them in this process.
9. Ensure that work status changes affecting employee insurance coverage are correctly entered in the HR system. Terminate coverage for employees, retirees, and/or dependents as requested or required, notify carriers, and maintain documentation of changes.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High school graduation or equivalent.

Experience: Five years of experience performing administrative, employee benefits, records management, accounting or payroll, human resources or related fields, including one year of experience performing duties as described in the job description for the area assigned.

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

Exam/Screening Process Information

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated: Training and Experience Rating = 100% The examination for the HR Benefits Specialist will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" Do not cut and paste resume as a response. Please answer all of the supplemental questions clearly and completely, failure to do so may affect your ability to move forward in the hiring process. The names of all applicants who have submitted a completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a HR Benefits Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Applicants will remain on the list for 30 days here days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.

Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin. Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.