Employees in this class consult with employees on insurance or retirement benefits and coordinate or manage insurance or retirement benefit activities or services. This position may be the senior employee supporting benefits in medium-sized agencies and may manage subordinate employees who provide benefit support.
Employees in this class have specialized knowledge and skills related to employee benefits, operate under limited supervision, and have broad decision-making authority within established policies and guidelines.
Processes complex member changes to include history corrections, requests for review, supplemental employer reporting, and employer corrections. Assists with resolution of escalated insurance and retirement issues. Prepares benefit estimates for correlated accounts. Develops and recommends policies and procedures for the assigned program area of responsibility. Explains and interprets policies and procedures regarding benefits programs to staff and agencies. Serves as the lead benefits contact for employers offering state insurance and retirement benefits. May supervise other benefits staff. Conducts or supervises the onboarding process for new employees. Manages employee and/or employer access to self-service benefits portals. Interprets and communicates all provisions of state insurance products and retirement system rules and regulations applicable to employer. Manages tracking and monitoring of Affordable Care Act (ACA) required stability and waiting periods. Manages review and reconciliation of insurance premium billing. Manages the employer role in an employee retirement action. Ensures a complete benefit counseling experience with member or employee. Evaluates the needs of the employee or member and accurately communicates all pertinent benefit information and options. Prepares and distributes appropriate continuation of healthcare benefits (COBRA) notices. Manages open enrollment and related correspondence. Hosts and delivers open enrollment sessions. Manages workers compensation programs. Maintains employee benefit files. Develops and monitors budgets for supplies and staffing needs. Recruits, trains, and evaluates staff. Schedules work and distributes duties to staff. Conducts analyses and prepares special reports regarding the assigned program area.
Knowledge of relevant benefits laws, policies, procedures, and plans. Knowledge of Affordable Care Act (ACA) measurement and benefit periods. Ability to administer continuation of healthcare coverage (COBRA) notices and benefits. Knowledge of retirement and insurance options related to reduction in hours, leaving employment, and disability. Ability to supervise staff, manage resources, and exercise professional decision-making skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, employers, employees, and retirees. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to resolve member issues related to enrollment errors with minimal assistance. Ability to effectively use electronic enrollment systems.
A bachelor's degree and relevant experience in insurance or retirement programs.