Human Resources Specialist - Benefits bei Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, FL

About the Department

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Indian River County

This position is responsible for assisting the Benefits Administrator with the administration and coordination of comprehensive benefit programs for employees and retirees to include assisting employees with benefits questions and supplemental insurance claims, assisting with the administration of leave requests under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), assisting in the planning and coordinating of open enrollment meetings and wellness programs including onsite wellness events, and other extended tasks related to benefits. At Indian River County Human Resources, we strive to offer “Human Resources with a heart” - we go above and beyond to ensure we deliver service excellence to our employees and retirees.   

Position Duties

• Initiates new hire enrollment in benefits administration system and coordinates with employee. Follows up with employee to ensure completion of enrollment.
• Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments and terminations in the benefits administration system to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information. 
• Resolves simple eligibility issues directly with benefits carriers on instances such as recent life event enrollments. 
• Responds to inquiries from the Finance Department concerning eligibility changes that may impact benefit invoicing. 
• Audits new hire enrollments and life event changes for accuracy of benefits-related payroll deductions.
• Assists with new-hire orientation and onboarding, updating information to be provided when needed.
• Assists with the coordination of open enrollment meetings.
• Assists with the coordination of wellness and health events such as the employee health fair, flu shot events, mammogram, etc. 
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefit enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries. 
• Assists employees obtaining insurance ID cards and downloading benefits applications for smartphones. 
• Coordinates COBRA benefits continuation enrollments and terminations. 
• Assists with the administration and processing of all FMLA and leave of absence requests to include unpaid leave. With the guidance of the Benefits Administrator, determines initial eligibility, prepares written notices and notifications to departments of FMLA eligibility and responsibilities of designating FMLA leave in the time and attendance system. Tracks FMLA usage to determine when leave entitlement has been exhausted.  Prepares written notifications for the employee and the department, including notification of process to request additional unpaid leave.
• Reviews return to work documentation and notify Benefits Administrator of instances where the employee has work restrictions to be addressed. 
• Provides notification of ADA requests to Benefits Administrator for appropriate follow-up.        
• Assists in preparing paperwork for supplemental insurance claims.
• Reviews “Deduction Not Taken” reports and coordinates with employee concerning payment options.
• Assists in preparing notices and notifications of termination of benefits for nonpayment.        
• Updates the benefit administration system to initiate COBRA notifications. 
• Assists with the administration of retiree benefits, including open enrollment notifications, and the coordination of retiree benefit billing with the guidance of the Benefits Administrator. 
• Assists with processing employee/retiree death benefit claims. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience:

High school graduate / GED, supplemented by a minimum of five years’ experience performing administrative duties, or associates degree and three years’ experience performing administrative duties, or bachelor’s degree and one year of experience performing administrative duties.   

Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills are required.  Strong organizational skills and the demonstrated ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).  

Preferred Qualifications

Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or similar human resources professional certification.

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations: 

• Must possess a State of Florida Notary Public license or have the ability to obtain one within six months of hire date.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

Knowledge of human resources practices and principles, benefit programs, FMLA and ADA and employee database maintenance.

Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, requirements, and regulations as they relate to benefits.

Knowledge of report and record maintenance principles and techniques.

Excellent ability to relate and respond to people, showing empathy, respect and courtesy.

Excellent ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, support staff, employees, staff from other departments and other local, state and federal government agencies.

Ability to adapt to performing under frequent deadlines, re-prioritization of tasks and assignments, and in response to emergencies.

Ability to apply sound judgment and interpretation based on acquired knowledge in circumstances where limited standardization exists.

Ability to read and interpret various materials, ranging from moderate to complex terminology, associated with job functions.

Ability to accurately enter data and necessary changes in benefit systems.

Ability to exercise high level of discretion due to the sensitive and confidential nature of information processed.

Ability to perform duties independently with minimal supervision and review.

Highly skilled in written, verbal, electronic, and visual communications for effective expression and clarity.

Skilled in operation of various computer or other electronic devices and applications used, e.g., Microsoft applications, HRIS systems, benefit systems, vendor portals, and databases.

Skilled in planning, organization, prioritization, and time management.

Skilled in judgment and decision-making.   

Other Qualifications

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed:  

Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.

Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers. 

Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely. 

Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.

Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning. Ability to convey information in a variety of communication forms. 

Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site. 

Contact with internal and external customers, vendors, outside agencies and the general public.  

Works in an office environment and sits for long periods of time.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.  While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, other work duties will be assigned as necessary.   This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

JOB DESCRIPTION / ADA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ATTESTATION 

I understand that a qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

I have read the job description for the above position and understand the job duties, requirements, and responsibilities for the position. I attest that I am able to perform the essential functions as outlined in the job description either with or without accommodation. I understand that if I require accommodation, I will contact the Human Resources Department to request accommodation.

If I have any questions about the job duties described in the above job description, I should discuss them with my immediate supervisor or a member of the Human Resources staff.

I have discussed any questions I may have had about this job description prior to signing this 
 form.

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Employees Name (Please Print)                                                         Employee Number