Benefits & Wellness Specialist at Forsyth County, GA

About the Department

The purpose of this classification is to perform professional level functions in the administration of the County’s employee benefits and retirement plans, assisting employees in the utilization of available benefits. This position will contribute in the development and promotion of a comprehensive wellness program that encourages active participation of all county employees.  Positions in this classification also perform other employment service functions as assigned.   

Position Duties

The following duties are normal for this position.  The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

Provides information regarding the County’s employee benefits packages to include but not inclusive of medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, AD&D, short term and long term disability, defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans; meets with employees answering employee questions, providing necessary forms and assists employees in their  completion of  electronic benefit enrollment; participates in and conducts new hire-orientation and presentations related to new or changed benefits; assembles and coordinates the preparation of informational benefit packets for distribution to employees, retirees and the public; and works individually with employees as necessary to help them make an informed decision in choosing their benefits.

Processes and evaluates enrollment and changes to existing elections: receives and inputs weekly benefit deduction changes; back bills or reimburses employee as necessary; communicates with employees regarding all changes; assists employees making benefit changes in the benefits system for various benefit plans; communicates benefit changes as needed to vendor, makes changes on weekly deduction report; and works with payroll to ensure that all deductions are accurately processed..

Serves as a liaison between County employees and Benefits Administration Team to assist employees with problems or issues pertaining to benefits and claim processing or other matters requiring intervention. 

Processes and evaluates  employee leave requests including family medical leave, military, non-fmla medical leave, leave of absence, and any other leave programs that may be assigned; meets with employees providing necessary documents and information for applicable leave; coordinates with the employee and/or medical provider to assure all paperwork is complete prior to submitting for signature approval; communicates with employee regarding remaining leave balance; tracks all leave time, monitors accrued paid time off balances to assure proper paid or unpaid leave is applied.  Provides notice to employee when leave is expiring, processes requests for extensions or notices of separation upon expiration of leave.   Assures benefit premiums are paid/collected during employee leave time.  Provides notification to PHSA vendor when employees have a qualifying event.  Manages the PHSA participation to various vendors when needed. 

Coordinates short-term and long-term disability claims, providing employer information to benefit administrator as applicable.   Meets with employees regarding disability benefits, providing information and necessary forms; primary liaison between county and provider.

Assists with providing pre-retirement benefit information.   Meets with employees regarding retirement benefits as needed.

Assists with the development of annual enrollment materials; assures accuracy of content; coordinates delivery and distribution of electronic materials.  Assists Benefit Manager with planning all aspects of the annual enrollment process including scheduling and planning for annual enrollment; selects and schedules vendor participation; attends and presents during open enrollment meetings as needed.

Conducts reconciliation of open enrollment and life event changes with benefit broker; makes changes as necessary; and informs employee of changes (additional charges or refund).  Uploads electronic changes from benefit information system into payroll system each pay period and audits for accuracy.

Processes benefit invoices for payment; matches invoices with backup documentation; verifies receipt of goods/services; reviews invoices for accuracy and proper budgetary coding; makes applicable calculations and researches discrepancies; forwards invoices for payment.

Assists with coordination of wellness program activities.   May include scheduling and enrollment of  seminars, events, health fairs, and health screenings.

Assists with the creation and distribution of promotional materials and publicity plans for benefits and wellness programs throughout the organization.

Communicates with employees, managers, and department heads of other departments, County officials, insurance carriers, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate benefits, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Maintains confidentiality of employee information, HIPAA and personal health information, departmental issues and documentation.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; reads professional literature; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Receives, reviews, prepares, and/or processes various records and reports such as bi-weekly benefit deductions, monthly optional life, AD & D and disability reports, benefit forms, etc.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or closely related field; supplemented by two (2) years previous experience and/or training that includes human resources administration, benefits administration, employment services; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.   PHR or SHRM-CP certification is preferred but not required.