Employee Benefits Specialist
City of Sunrise, Florida, NY, United States
Job Overview
This classification involves technical work in the implementation and administration of daily operations of group benefit programs for employees and retirees of the City. The employee conducts benefit orientations and special enrollments, maintains employee benefit records, reconciles billings, monitors deductions, coordinates COBRA and conversions of insurance for former employees and retirees, and processes retiree benefit payments. The role also responds to employee inquiries and assists employees in resolving or explaining claim issues.
Essential Job Functions
Provides verbal and written information to employees about the various health insurance plans and applicable procedures.
Responds to inquiries regarding payment of claims and clarifies plan benefits.
Assists employees with insurance problems, requests re‑evaluation of claims, and informs employees whether expenses are covered.
Processes applications for coverage, addition of new dependents, enrollments, changes in coverage, and terminations.
Performs additions and deletions of enrollment through carriers’ portals.
Audits carriers’ records for errors and directs corrections.
Provides COBRA/conversion information and prepares/forwards compliance forms.
Reconciles City records with insurer records and coordinates corrections.
Maintains retiree payments, sends past‑due letters, and collects payment of NSF checks.
Reviews and reconciles monthly bills for all benefit plans.
Assists in developing new benefit programs and modifying existing programs.
Conducts new employee orientation and annual open enrollment for health benefits.
Performs related work as required.
Required Qualifications
Accredited bachelor’s degree in Risk & Insurance Management, Health Administration, Human Resources, Public or Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Master’s degree preferred.
Reasonable experience in employee group health, dental, life, disability insurance programs, plan administration, implementation, and COBRA regulations.
Knowledge of self‑insurance benefits administration.
Knowledge of all benefit‑related laws and regulations (ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, federal and state laws).
Experience in a self‑insured, governmental, and union environment preferred.
Experience utilizing Tyler‑Munis ERP preferred.
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred.
Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC) preferred.
Required Licenses
Possession of a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Must obtain a valid Florida license within thirty (30) days of residency or accepting employment.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills
Comprehensive knowledge of employee group health, dental, life, vision, long‑term care, disability insurance programs, COBRA regulations, and compliance requirements.
Knowledge of self‑insurance benefits administration.
Knowledge of insurance organization policies and procedures.
Knowledge of department rules, regulations, and procedures.
Proficiency with general office procedures, practices, and equipment.
Computer skills.
Ability to assemble information and prepare accurate reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and insurance representatives.
Ability to understand and interpret group health insurance plan provisions.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Judgment and discretion in applying department policies to insurance issues.
Tactful and effective interpersonal skills with public and private sector staff.
Benefits Summary
City‑paid medical benefits: 100% coverage for single, 66.66% for family; retiree stipend $350/month.
Life insurance $50,000; AD&D $50,000.
Eye care reimbursement up to $250 every two years; EKG/Stress Test up to $150/year; Physical exam up to $250/year.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Cigna.
Retirement: 8% employee contribution, 10‑year vesting, AFC 2.5% of pensionable earnings, maximum benefit $80,000, normal retirement age 62 with 10 years of service.
Paid holidays: New Year’s, MLK, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas.
Annual leave accrue up to 360 hours per fiscal year; cash out option up to 40 hours; floating holidays up to 5 per fiscal year.
Sick leave: 96 hours annually, 25% payout upon resignation, 50% upon retirement; conversion of unused first 6 days to annual leave after one year.
Bereavement leave: up to 3 days in‑state, up to 5 days out‑of‑state.
Tuition reimbursement after two years: 100% for grades A or B, 50% for C, $500 books per semester.
Additional voluntary benefits available for employee purchase (e.g., dental, vision, accident, life, disability, retirement plans).
Employment Details
Job Code: EX‑537D2A7D
Job Type: Full‑time
Location: Sunrise, FL
Entry Level: 0–2 years
Organization: City of Sunrise
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Essential Job Functions
Provides verbal and written information to employees about the various health insurance plans and applicable procedures.
Responds to inquiries regarding payment of claims and clarifies plan benefits.
Assists employees with insurance problems, requests re‑evaluation of claims, and informs employees whether expenses are covered.
Processes applications for coverage, addition of new dependents, enrollments, changes in coverage, and terminations.
Performs additions and deletions of enrollment through carriers’ portals.
Audits carriers’ records for errors and directs corrections.
Provides COBRA/conversion information and prepares/forwards compliance forms.
Reconciles City records with insurer records and coordinates corrections.
Maintains retiree payments, sends past‑due letters, and collects payment of NSF checks.
Reviews and reconciles monthly bills for all benefit plans.
Assists in developing new benefit programs and modifying existing programs.
Conducts new employee orientation and annual open enrollment for health benefits.
Performs related work as required.
Required Qualifications
Accredited bachelor’s degree in Risk & Insurance Management, Health Administration, Human Resources, Public or Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Master’s degree preferred.
Reasonable experience in employee group health, dental, life, disability insurance programs, plan administration, implementation, and COBRA regulations.
Knowledge of self‑insurance benefits administration.
Knowledge of all benefit‑related laws and regulations (ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, federal and state laws).
Experience in a self‑insured, governmental, and union environment preferred.
Experience utilizing Tyler‑Munis ERP preferred.
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) preferred.
Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC) preferred.
Required Licenses
Possession of a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Must obtain a valid Florida license within thirty (30) days of residency or accepting employment.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills
Comprehensive knowledge of employee group health, dental, life, vision, long‑term care, disability insurance programs, COBRA regulations, and compliance requirements.
Knowledge of self‑insurance benefits administration.
Knowledge of insurance organization policies and procedures.
Knowledge of department rules, regulations, and procedures.
Proficiency with general office procedures, practices, and equipment.
Computer skills.
Ability to assemble information and prepare accurate reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and insurance representatives.
Ability to understand and interpret group health insurance plan provisions.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Judgment and discretion in applying department policies to insurance issues.
Tactful and effective interpersonal skills with public and private sector staff.
Benefits Summary
City‑paid medical benefits: 100% coverage for single, 66.66% for family; retiree stipend $350/month.
Life insurance $50,000; AD&D $50,000.
Eye care reimbursement up to $250 every two years; EKG/Stress Test up to $150/year; Physical exam up to $250/year.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Cigna.
Retirement: 8% employee contribution, 10‑year vesting, AFC 2.5% of pensionable earnings, maximum benefit $80,000, normal retirement age 62 with 10 years of service.
Paid holidays: New Year’s, MLK, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas.
Annual leave accrue up to 360 hours per fiscal year; cash out option up to 40 hours; floating holidays up to 5 per fiscal year.
Sick leave: 96 hours annually, 25% payout upon resignation, 50% upon retirement; conversion of unused first 6 days to annual leave after one year.
Bereavement leave: up to 3 days in‑state, up to 5 days out‑of‑state.
Tuition reimbursement after two years: 100% for grades A or B, 50% for C, $500 books per semester.
Additional voluntary benefits available for employee purchase (e.g., dental, vision, accident, life, disability, retirement plans).
Employment Details
Job Code: EX‑537D2A7D
Job Type: Full‑time
Location: Sunrise, FL
Entry Level: 0–2 years
Organization: City of Sunrise
#J-18808-Ljbffr
