Benefits Specialists

Description

Amenities: 

The County of Northumberland offers a full benefits package including health insurance, prescription, vision, dental, vacation, holiday, sick, personal time, and retirement. 

Position Summary: 

The Benefit Specialists is responsible for administering, coordinating, and communicating employee benefit programs for Northumberland County employees.  This position serves as a liaison between employees, the Human Resource Department, and benefit providers to ensure accurate benefit enrollment, effective communication, timely resolution of benefit-related issues, and compliance with applicable policies, regulations, and plan requirements. 

The Benefits Specialists is responsible for administering and tracking the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), including determining employee eligibility, communicating with employees regarding leave requests and required documentation, tracking continuous and intermittent leave usage, and maintaining accurate and confidential records.  This position also maintains employee benefit premium-share information within the County's payroll platform and may assist with payroll-related duties as assigned. 

The Benefits Specialists operates under the general supervision of the Human Resources Director and performs duties in accordance with County policies, applicable collective bargaining agreements, benefit plan documents, and federal and state laws and regulations.  

Requirements

• Administers and coordinates employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and other benefit plans offered by the county. 
• Serves as the primary liaison between County employees, Human Resources, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and other benefit providers. 
• Assists employees with benefit enrollment, qualifying life events, changes in coverage, termination of coverage, and general benefit inquiries. 
• Communicates benefit plan provisions, eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures, deadlines, and changes in coverage to employees. 
• Coordinates with benefit providers to resolve enrollment discrepancies, coverage issues, billing questions, and other benefit-related matters. 
• Maintains accurate employee benefit records and supporting documentation. 
• Assists with open enrollment activities, employee benefit communications, and distribution of required benefit information.  
• Provides guidance to employees regarding benefit options and administrative procedures. 
• Enters, uploads, updates, and maintains employee premium-share amounts for County benefit plans within the County payroll platform.
• Verifies benefit deduction information against applicable plan relates. employee elections, eligibility records, and approved changes. 
• Coordinate with payroll personnel to ensure benefit deductions are accurately reflected in employee payroll records. 
• Identifies and assists in resolving discrepancies involving benefit deductions, employee premium contributions, and coverage charges. 
• Communicates benefit-related payroll changes and adjustments to appropriate personnel in a timely manner. 
• Assists with payroll processing, payroll record review, reconciliation, and related administrative duties as assigned byh the Director of Human Resources. 
• Administers and coordinates the County's FMLA process in accordance with applicable federal regulations and County procedures.
• Receives and reviews leave-related information and identities circumstances that may require evaluation for FMLA eligibility. 
• Determines employee eligibility for FMLA based on applicable service, and hours worked. 
• Communicates with employees regarding potential FMLA eligibility, required notices, medical certification requirements, deadlines, and applicable leave procedures. 
• Requests, receives, reviews for completeness, and maintains required FMLA documentation in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Coordinates the designation of qualifying leave and ensures required notices are issued within applicable timeframes.
• Tracks and maintains accurate records of continuous and intermittent FMLA leave, including hours and days used, remaining leave entitlement, and applicable leave periods. 
• Monitors intermittent leave usage and coordinates with employees and appropriate department representatives to reconcile leave records and address discrepancies. 
• Monitors FMLA cases for upcoming deadlines, certification expiration dates, recertification requirements, and anticipated return-to-work dates.  
• Communicates with employees regarding leave balances, required documentation, and return-to-work procedures.  
• Maintains confidential FMLA and medical documentation separately from general personnel records, as required by applicable law and County procedures.  
• Identifies and refers potential accommodation needs extended absences, and complex leave matters to the Director of Human Resources for appropriate review. 

Education and Experience

• Completion of high school degree or the equivalent.
• Equivalent combination of education, and training or associate's degree in HR
• Previous experience in employee benefits administration, FMLA or leave administration, payroll, or human resources.