The primary function is to provide excellent service to clients and their employees in the administration of benefit plans. The Sr. Benefits Specialist will work closely with the benefits Manager to assist clients with benefit questions, research new benefit programs, look for enhancements in existing programs, monitor benefits administration, as well as assist in the design of employee benefits plans. This is accomplished by performing the duties listed below, other duties may be assigned. This position reports directly to the Benefits Manager and will take on the Management role when the Manager is out of the office.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Establish, address, and solve external operational problems with regard to employee/client benefits.

• Assist with the evaluation of current and prospective client benefits information.

• Participate in the evaluation of carrier/TPA benefit packages.

• Ensure benefit processes are current.

• Meet with clients/employees on updates or changes to benefits programs timely.

• Process and monitor all employee related claims, changes, enrollments, terminations, and ensurs the team has responded to and processed requests.

• Maintains benefit spreadsheets/face pages to include the preparation of benefit entries, client/employee accounts analysis and reconciliation.

• Responsible for monthly benefit reconciliation, verifying all deductions and client benefit transactions done through payroll. This position is also responsible or addressing questions from payroll, employees, and clients.

• Ensures over/under payments are corrected immediately and all notifications are made to the appropriate parties (clients, employees, payroll).

• Prepare documentation for monthly and annual benefit audits and enrollments.

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  Perform plan audits. Prepare, collect, and organize data for assessments.

• Receive confirmation of new client from sales and work with Benefits Manager to facilitate client/employee conversions.

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  Meet with prospects, when necessary.

• Prepare implementation of benefit enrollments.

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  Ensure the set up of new and late employee enrollments are done timely; the benefits plan contribution by employer/employee and verify against payroll.

• Manage and administer COBRA/State Continuation, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accoutns, benefits eligibility changes, 401(k) system.

• Participate in strategic decision making, including setting goals and decisions on products and services as well as mergers and acquisitions.

• Recommends, designs, and implements any necessary department controls.

• Responsible for the file maintenance and recordkeeping of all benefits related material.

• Attend company meetings as requested.

• Stays current in benefits field as it relates to new/changing products and laws.

Competencies

• Benefits Expertise

• Critical Evaluation

• Communication

• Relationship Management

• Ethical Practice

• Consultation

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. This position will also require travel to client locations as needed.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required; it would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel

Minimal travel is expected for this position (less than 15% of the time).

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; or five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Actively participate in community organizations (i.e. Chamber Association)

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products, including PPT, experience with HRIS and benefits databases.

• Project and team management/leadership skills and experience. Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates. Capability of effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs. Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on the proposals (RFPs).

• Knowledge of benefits contract language.

• Life, Health & Accident license strongly preferred or must obtain within first year of employment.

• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers' compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.

• Excellent communication and organization skills.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This is an in office position; no telework

Pre-employment drug testing and criminal background check required.