Benefits Associate

HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION - Benefits Associate Job Classification Hourly Full-time (35-40) Position Summary Responsible for assisting in the coordination of the university’s benefit plans, maintains and reconciles benefit accounts, coordinates the worker’s compensation program and assists customers at the employment office front desk. Qualifications Summary To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in the full position description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing. Duties and Responsibilities Provide routine employee services by Answering benefits questions Responding to daily emails Communicating any individual benefit changes and updates Assisting in benefits enrollment through the benefits management system (BMS) Investigating coverage discrepancies Audit benefit eligibility and missed biweekly premiums, and process findings accordingly Determine and submit for processing final deduction amounts for terminating employees Maintain employee dependents through monitoring the BMS, updating Banner and ensuring complete records are obtained and matched Monitor automated processes and correct data as needed to maintain health coverage periods in Banner, in support of ACA 1095-C production Facilitate resolution related to employee benefit issues, ensuring the BMS and payroll processing are accurate Assist with the distribution of the summary of benefit coverages (SBCs) compliance documents Authorize free class and tuition assistance benefits and address any related issues Implement Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) procedure, including keeping accurate and complete records, ensuring consistent application of policy and managing short‑term disability process Facilitate the Long Term Disability insurance application and process, including benefit and pay timelines Manage the wellness award process throughout the plan year, ensuring employees with status changes are appropriately reflected, monitoring completion reports and entering appropriate data in Banner Assist with and coordinate open enrollment (OE) and other related events Town Hall Meetings Flu Shot Clinic OE wellness award requirements, including arranging, facilitating completion and tracking Health/Benefits Fair Acts as liaison with Corewell Health Primary Care Berrien Springs and other benefits providers to coordinate additional benefits for employees Pursues and resolves service, quality, and plan issues with medical insurance and other benefit plan providers Participates in monthly healthcare meetings with the AU benefits consultant and the health insurance third‑party administrator (TPA) Manage employee elections in the BMS, including releasing pended elections, applying UNUM evidence of insurability (EOI) results, starting and ending benefit enrollment outside of normal new hire, life event, benefit class change and open enrollments Benefits Accounts Create or review bill reconciliations; resolve discrepancies between BMS, vendor, payroll and employee; and process invoice payments for benefits accounts with the following vendors: HMA (TPA for health insurance), ASR (flexible spending accounts), Drexi UNUM self‑bill (life insurance, long‑term & short‑term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, supplemental life insurance, accident, hospital, critical illness) UNUM worksite (whole life) Legal Resources CompOne & West Bend (workers compensation) AI Technologies (benefit management system) Worker’s Compensation Program Processes and completes worker’s compensation claims Assists with work situational evaluations for employees Summarizes observed patterns of work injuries for the Loss Control Director’s investigation Reviews and advises supervisor of litigation and non‑routine issues Keeps close contact with injured employee, supervisor, TPA and medical providers, relating to worker’s compensation issues Applies government regulations as they relate to worker’s compensation Keeps accurate records for reporting to government agencies and other interested parties Prepare the MIOSHA report based on annual claims Collect information and prepare the payroll report for Accident Fund Audits Collect information and prepare the renewals for workers compensation Miscellaneous Assists other HR areas for front desk coverage, as needed Participates in presenting at New Employee Orientation, Supervisor Training and other sessions as needed Supervisory Responsibilities Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Supervise student assistants working on projects. Qualifications Education and/or Experience: Associate degree, or two to three years’ related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. CEBS is desirable. Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze and interpret plan documents, financial reports and legal documents; respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers and medical plan providers; write reports, business correspondence and procedures manuals; effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, managers, clients, customers and the general public; strong written and oral communication skills. Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts; apply fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations; basic accounting and account reconciliations knowledge. Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing. Technical Competencies Proficient in Microsoft Office tools including MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. Interpersonal Interactions Ability to work with all types of personalities in challenging situations. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. While performing the duties, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger and handle, reach with arms and talk or hear; occasionally required to stand and walk. Work Environment The work environment characteristics are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Normal office environment with moderate noise level and occasional interruptions. #J-18808-Ljbffr