Ellington Public Schools
As a district, Ellington is committed to advancing student achievement through positive school culture and climate, outstanding teaching and leadership, a strong, standards-based curriculum, and effective assessment practices. This commitment extends to providing the most effective and efficient non-instructional personnel to appropriately support the educational program. Our district population continues to grow and to become diverse, as we welcome students speaking more than 17 different languages and actively participating in the Open Choice program.
Vision
Ellington students will be prepared to enter a rapidly changing and complex world with strong academic skills, breadth of knowledge, depth of understanding, commitment to others, and the attitudes necessary to become productive, contributing citizens.
Job Summary
The Insurance and Benefits Specialist will play a key role in supporting day-to-day human resources and business office operations. Reporting to the Coordinator of Accounting, this position requires passion, critical thinking, and an eye for detail in everything they do. The Insurance and Benefits Specialist will collaborate and interact with employees’ district wide and will need to be able to provide excellent internal customer service.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Process employee verifications
- Educate employees on company policies, procedures, union contract language, and self-service tools
- Manage and enroll employees in all lines of insurance, including Medical, Dental, LTD, Health Savings Accounts, FSA and Life insurance.
- Partner with payroll to ensure timely and accurate benefit deductions, retroactive adjustments, and fringe allocations.
- Process invoices for medical, dental, long-term disability and life insurance billings
- Conduct monthly billing audits and benefit invoice reconciliations to validate enrollment accuracy and prevent overcharges or missed enrollments.
- Support the development of benefits-related communications, including open enrollment guides, FAQs, and policy updates.
- Monitor plan compliance with ACA, ERISA, and other federal and state regulations.
- Prepare and submit required compliance reports related to benefits and employment, such as ACA filings and other federal or contract-specific reports.
- Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices.
- Work with HR and schools to provide explanation of insurance benefits, including rates, to new and existing employees. Assist employees with personnel and payroll related questions that arise through the year.
- Advise Third Party Administrator of COBRA Potentials and Retirees.
- Accurately fund employee accounts with required BOE H.S.A. and H.R.A. deposits.
- Complete Teacher Retirement Subsidy Reports, process necessary payroll and/or accounts payable checks.
- Maintain employee information in Infinite Campus, our student information system and Frontline or other systems that may hold employee information.
- Work with Insurance Companies’ personnel on employee issues, questions, etc.
- Manage and track employee work hours, time-off requests, and attendance records to ensure payroll accuracy, policy compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Tracking of FMLA leaves
- Be trained on the payroll process to act as the payroll backup if needed.
- Participate as a member of the Ellington Public Schools Wellness Committee
- Manage District Employee Cell Phones
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Perform duties in a courteous and efficient manner that builds the confidence of staff, students, and the public in the Ellington Public Schools and enhances learning.
- Observe laws, district policies and procedures, and professional standards for the position.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with school personnel, parents, students and the public; work collaboratively as a team member.
- Carry out work responsibilities with a strong attention to detail and organizational skills effectively under pressure of deadlines, difficult situations, interruptions, and new or emergency conditions.
- Respect confidential information and the privacy of students, staff, and parents.
- Develop and enhance job skills necessary to meet changes in the position.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, human resources, or business administration will be given added consideration. The Board reserves the right to consider a combination of education and experience that it, in its sole discretion, considers substantially equivalent to education alone.
- A minimum of two (2) years of successful experience in an office environment concentrating on benefits and insurance related responsibilities
- Possess excellent computer skills with proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications and Google applications.
- Knowledge of School ERP Pro a plus
Compensation
This position is part of the Ellington Educational Support Staff. Compensation and benefits are set per contract, under Classification A: Bookkeeper. This is a 12 month, 8 hour per day position.
