Human Resources and Benefits Specialist - Controller's Office

Employee Benefits Administrator

Under the general supervision of the Human Resources Administrator and Payroll and Benefits Manager, is responsible for administering the employee benefits and insurance programs for the County and serves as liaison with insurance carriers and plan administrators.

Essential Functions

Administers and oversees the employee benefits program for the County including health dental, life and retirement. Conducts orientation on employee benefit programs for all new employees along with providing paperwork for changes such as address, name, payroll deductions due to marriage, divorce, births etc. Provides the necessary information to Payroll and Benefits Manager and members of the Finance Department.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Coordinator for the County. This includes working with Insurance Broker to ensure compliance with HIPAA, particularly in relation to obligations under the law.

Responds to questions of employees regarding coverage under the various health plan options and other insurance.

Coordinates and processes all claims, including but not limited to Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Worker's Compensation and Short-Term Disability claims, including the explanation of procedures and benefits, completing forms and submitting documentation to the third party administrator, and collecting information on claims. This includes appropriately tracking all due dates and leave durations to ensure compliance with County's rules and procedures and adherence to applicable provisions in the County's union agreements. Works with and reports to the Human Resources Administrator and the Payroll and Benefits Manager on claims under investigation.

Coordinates with the County's Insurance Broker and reconciles health plan invoices, dental invoices, and other employee benefits programs. Provides billing information to the Financial and Purchasing Assistant for Retiree health and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) billings and maintains necessary documentation regarding COBRA. Research's situations and responds to billings related to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Analyze and interpret claims for disability benefit. Determine eligibility on the basis of objective medical evidence. Prepares documents defining the determination. Responsible for all aspects of claims administration, this includes appropriately tracking all due dates and leave durations to ensure compliance with County's rules and procedures and adherence to applicable provisions in the County's union agreements. Works with and reports to the Human Resources Administrator and the Payroll and Benefits Manager on claims under investigation.

Coordinates with the County's Insurance Broker on communications related to bid proposals for insurance benefits and insurance programs. This includes providing all necessary information and communicating progress to the Human Resources Administrator and the Payroll and Benefits Manager.

Responsible for the annual open enrollment process including Health, Dental and other insurances, retirement program elections and any insurance affidavits required. As needed serves as the County liaison when scheduling employees to meet with representatives of the County's Deferred Compensation Plan, or other County provided insurances. This includes assisting employees with persistent or complicated service issues when working with these vendors.

Researches and responds to questions regarding employee benefits according to labor agreements or applicable policies. Must be able to interpret the personnel policy and labor agreements as they pertain to employee benefits and communicate such interpretations to employees and supervisors.

Conducts surveys internally related to employee benefits, completes external survey requests for information related to the County's pay and benefits.

Maintains necessary documentation and processes all employee requests for reasonable accommodations made under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) including compliance materials and related documents. Communicates with directors and employees related to all requests and the final determination.

Manages all work place injuries reports including coordinating medical care for employees and properly recording the incident with Michigan OSHA and the County's Worker's Compensation carrier. This includes assisting employees with persistent or complicated service issues when working with these vendors.

Manages the County's initial responses and reporting with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency related to employees' claims, and coordinates and represents the County in responses and appeals.

May be called upon to act as support and back-up for other auxiliary Human Resources (HR) functions such as note taking and sitting as a secondary investigator during an internal investigation. This may include summarizing the interviews and contributing to a final finding and deliberating on an appropriate outcome.

Provides financial details on employment verifications.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Acts as a backup providing office coverage, as needed. This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience Must meet at least one of the following combinations of education in HR management, public administration, business administration or a related field and/or relevant experience and meet the other criteria:

• Bachelor's degree and two years of previous experience in the administration of insurance benefits and/or managing employee leave coordination.
• Associate's degree and four years of previous experience in the administration of insurance benefits and/or managing employee leave coordination.
• High school diploma or GED and six years of previous experience in the administration of insurance benefits and/or managing employee leave coordination.

Other Requirements:

• Michigan Vehicle Operator's License.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be proficient in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications, and the ability to master software utilized in personnel management.
• Must be able to assemble and analyze benefits data, prepare accurate reports, and formulate relevant recommendations

Preferred Education, Certification, or Experience:

• Experience working in a unionized environment, interpreting contracts, and managing leaves preferred.
• Experience managing human resources/personnel administration in the public sector preferred.
• Certification(s) through the Society for Human Resource Management or similar designations preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

Physical Requirements: This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements:

• Ability to access departmental files.
• Ability to enter and retrieve information from computers.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents, and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes.
• The employee must be mobile in an office setting, stand, sit, stoop and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift or push/pull objects of up to 20 lbs. without assistance.
• Must be able to be both resilient and adaptable when having difficult conversations or navigating situations of high stress.
• The employee may be required to perform public speaking.

Working Conditions:

• The typical work environment of this job is a business office setting where the noise level is quiet and sometimes moderate.
• The employee may be called to walk outdoors and offsite visits to auxiliary office or other County facilities.