HR BENEFITS SPECIALIST
Kenosha County is seeking a Human Resources professional experienced in employee benefits who thrives on detail-oriented and compliance-based work to join our Division of Human Resources. The HR Benefits Specialist works with employees, retirees, and vendors to ensure smooth benefits administration and HR services.
This role also provides administrative support to the HR team and must be willing to roll up their sleeves and help get the job done, whatever HR job that may be. Our team is committed to serving the employees of Kenosha County.
Kenosha County is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
2024 Hiring Range: $54,140 – $64,453 annually
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Understand all benefits plans, including retiree benefits, serving as HR Team and Employee resource, communicating professionally and clearly with a variety of audiences in a timely fashion. Conduct benefits orientations as requested.
- Provide day-to-day administration of all benefits plans processing new hires, terminations, status changes, etc.
- Coordinate processing payments for various benefits-related vendors through accounts payable.
- Coordinate the wellness program through our vendor including coordinating employer-sponsored events and administering insurance premium incentive program.
- Field benefit inquiries and concerns from participants redirecting or referring as appropriate to vendors and/or engaging assistance of insurance consultant.
- Process COBRA events with vendor and ensure compliance with COBRA and other related regulations.
- Oversee Flexible Spending Account plans administration through vendor, including annual non-discrimination testing.
- Through assistance from our insurance consultant, distribute annual required compliance notices within appropriate timeframes.
- Coordinate open enrollment activities, compile/distribute materials, and participate in meetings.
- Work with the benefit carriers and HRIS to configure benefits module, administer electronic benefits enrollment, and ensure successful electronic processing of benefits files to carriers at both open enrollment and throughout the plan year.
- Reconcile/process monthly and annual reconciliations of benefit plan census/billings, including billing for County-paid retirees.
- Oversee the recruitment process for exempt job vacancies and others as requested, including scheduling testing and interviews, processing applications, and coordinating with the hiring teams.
- Stay abreast of changes in benefits regulations and industry trends.
- Update and maintain HR external webpage on County website and HR content on intranet.
- Process 1095-C forms and coordinate ACA reporting and monitoring eligibility and processing enrollments/terminations.
- Process paperwork for new hires to ensure all forms are completed timely.
- Prepare ID badges for building access.
- Assist with events and meetings.
- Manage benefits related paper and Laserfiche files.
- Perform other work as required or assigned.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Associate degree in HR, business, or related field
- Experience in a professional office setting
- Understanding of basic benefits laws and concepts
- Or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
PREFERRED ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field
- Benefits administration and HRIS experience (Ceridian preferred)
- Human Resources experience with public sector employer
Licenses or Certifications
- SHRM-CP, PHR, or IPMA-CP certification
Other Job Requirements
- Valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle for use in the performance of the job
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:
- Health care plan regulations, practices, and benefits terminology
- Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment
Skill in:
- Performing business math and calculations related to benefit premiums
- Microsoft Office Suite applications with above average skill in Excel (i.e., PivotTable, VLOOKUP functions)
- Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
- Providing quality customer service in a timely manner
- Using general office equipment, including computer, calculator, scanner, phone, and fax machine
- Using financial ERP software
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Keyboarding and data entry
- Time management
Ability to:
- Maintain confidential information
- Foster good working relationships
- Compile, analyze, and assemble data and information in an accurate, meaningful, and effective manner
- Maintain accuracy
- Remain professional and courteous at all times
- Work independently and without direct supervision
- Prepare, comprehend, and interpret a variety of documents including plan documents, invoices, census reports, policy manuals, benefit summaries, correspondence, etc.
- Plan, organize, and prioritize multiple work assignments and projects and meet deadlines
- Maintain concentration and accuracy with frequent interruptions
- Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment
BENEFITS
- Health, dental, and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment, with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off
- Twelve Paid Holidays
- Retirement Plan: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes County-paid life insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
- The position may require sitting for long periods of time.
- Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects.
- Physically able to participate in meetings and travel between other County facilities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- This role will frequently or often work in an office or similar indoor environment. Incumbent will sometimes or occasionally work in the following environments: outdoors and in the community.
- This role will sometimes or occasionally be exposed to individuals who are rude or irate.
WORK SCHEDULE
- Full time, generally 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday with 40 plus hours during open enrollment/year-end
- May occasionally work evenings, weekends, and holidays
SELECTION PROCESS
- Application Review - Qualifying
- Oral Interview - Qualifying
- Background Check - Qualifying
- Drug Screen - Qualifying
If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.
Applications must be submitted no later than Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
To learn more about the Kenosha County Human Resources Division, please visit: http://www.kenoshacounty.org/102/Human-Resources
Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer. Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.
The pay grade for this position is E5 (Min. $54,140 – Max. $74,765)
This position is located in Kenosha County, a growing community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago. To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, visit: https://www.visitkenosha.com/
Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!
Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.