Description
Job Title: Benefits Coordinator
FLSA Status: Exempt
Days of Work: 240
GENERAL SUMMARY
Under limited supervision, handles all aspects of benefits for the District, including orientations, enrollments, status changes and problem solving. Serves as the District resource for information on health insurance, dental and prescription drug programs, retirement systems, supplemental annuity options, money plus programs, disability insurance, life insurance and other benefits. Provides updated information on benefit changes to employees. Reports to the Director of Human Resources.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other duties may be assigned.)
Responsible for the administration of the employee benefit program for the District.
Processes employee benefits and informs employees of their benefit status.
Meets with each new hire to provide information concerning initial enrollment, insurance benefits, and to review retirement options. Ensures that all paperwork is completed accurately.
Plans and directs activities related to administration of employee benefit programs, benefit continuance, group insurance, COBRA Management, and retirement.
Determines eligibility for insurance and processes all initial enrollment forms for new employees.
Advises, assists, and approves all insurance changes requested by employees. Provides this information to the Finance Office.
Coordinates October annual/open enrollment. Prepares information on any changes available to employees during annual enrollment and open enrollment. Visits each school to give employees the opportunity to make changes and to assist them with their applications. Communicates benefit information to employees through literature and verbal presentations.
Counsels disability applicants on eligibility for South Carolina Retirement system and/or Standard Insurance Company, assists employee with application process. Processes information.
Serves as the District's liaison with the South Carolina Retirement System and the Employee Insurance Program, administering programs for which District employees are eligible for participation.
Maintains copies of all paperwork, files, and claims that employees complete pertaining to insurance and retirement. Keeps all employee information confidential.
Processes employee's and employer's portions of monthly billing of health, life dental insurances, and tax-sheltered annuities for payment by state draft and/or requisition of funds and reconciles these billings with the payroll deductions register.
Coordinates monthly billings, request vendor payment from accounts payable, records premiums on payroll master file for payroll deductions and prepares necessary payroll deductions.
Processes payroll deductions for South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, Money Plus Program and other monthly vendors.
Counsels prospective retirees and assists in completion of necessary forms.
Handles oral and written requests for the South Carolina Retirement System, including refunds.
Handles death claims and assists employees/beneficiaries with completing required paperwork.
Contacts and receives insurance payments for employees on approved leave for disability, academic leave or on family medical leave.
Process all correspondence received from the South Carolina Retirement system.
Receives and processes all Family Medical Leave (FMLA) requests according to federal regulations.
Distributes all identification cards, brochures, booklets, policies, and newsletters pertaining to state and District benefits and maintains supply of all forms.
Upon termination of an employee, processes all terminations for insurance and assumes the responsibility for all COBRA eligibility and correspondence.
Interacts and communicates with various individuals in the performance of duties such as supervisors, district employees, spouses, relatives, and survivors, insurance companies, and medical personnel.
Partners with the Payroll Specialist to update 45 day and 135-day terminations, new hires, etc. in PCS.
Processes E-Verify and I-9’s online within 3 days of hire and maintains a binder of required documents.
Submits the South Carolina New Hire Reporting every 30 days online and maintains a binder of required documents.
Processes and transmits online contributions for ORP and other vendors as required.
Processes and documents all injuries for Worker’s Compensation claims for submission to SCSBIT.
Maintains OSHA Posting Log as required by SCSBIT.
Processes ACH file for First Franklin.
Performs all other duties and responsibilities designated by the Director of Human Resources.
Interacts with others in a respectful and cooperative manner at all times.
Willingly performs all other related duties as assigned or required.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Associate’s degree in Accounting or Business with a minimum of one year of experience in benefits administration, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skill and abilities necessary for the completion of essential functions of the position.
Knowledge:Thorough knowledge of school district methods, procedures, policies and activities pertinent to the duties of the position; extensive knowledge of all areas of employee benefits and social programs; maintains knowledge of worker’s compensation laws and local, state and federal statutes related to personnel injuries; extensive knowledge of FMLA; knowledge of the reports, records and forms which must be prepared, processed and maintained according to Federal, State and District laws and regulations; is knowledgeable and proficient in the use of computers. Knows how to provide assistance to other employees as necessary.
Skills/Effort: Ability to understand and apply Federal, State and District policies and procedures as needed; is able to communicate effectively and in a courteous manner; has excellent record-keeping and organization skills; Advanced mathematical, clerical, written and verbal communication, and computer skills; is knowledgeable concerning the necessary applications, forms, and reports to be completed and processed and is able to do so in an accurate and timely manner; Ability to keep abreast of changing laws and procedures related to the specific duties of the job; has solid interpersonal skills.
Working Conditions: Conducts duties in an office environment with little exposure to environmental conditions; physical demands are restricted to general office activities requiring movement/lifting items weighing up to ten pounds; routine local travel required; occasional overnight travel required. Duties of the job require frequent use of a computer.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: This job description is not intended as a complete listing of job duties. The incumbent is responsible for the performance of other related duties as assigned/required.
OTHER ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Respond in a timely manner to all employee’s inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable and courteous resolutions.
- Assist in various research request, including timely responses to audit inquiries; may assist in developing and preparing reports, letters and spreadsheets.
- Conduct benefits orientation and training activities for new hires, employee’s newly eligible for benefits and open enrollment.
- Ability to understand district policies, HIPAA laws and ADA regulations.
- Work as a member of the Benefits Section in collaboration with other Human Resources and Payroll functions.
- Participate in meetings as requested and attend trainings in order to maintain knowledge of current programs and regulations pertaining to benefits administration and retirement.
- Works collaboratively with HR team
- Work closely with Payroll Generalist and Finance Director as needed.
- Implement and manage health and wellness programs.
- Process invoices
- Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Director Human
- Associates degree or higher in Human Resources, Public Administration or related field is required.
- Must have strong interpersonal skills, maturity and good judgment.
- Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Bilingual Strongly Preferred English/Spanish
- Ability to take the initiative, work independently and follow both oral and written directions.
- At least three years of benefits or human resources experience.
- Demonstrated organizational skills including project management with the ability to accomplish responsibilities with minimal supervision.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing activities, workloads and timelines.
- Excellent computer skills to include spreadsheets, data bases and other word processing applications
- PEBA experience dtrongly preferred
- iVisions experience strongly preferred