Benefits Specialist
Hernando County, Florida, Brooksville, FL, United States
Benefits Specialist
Under the direction of the Benefits Manager, the Benefits Specialist provides administrative and technical support for employee benefit programs within the county. This position is responsible for benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, record maintenance, and reporting while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and county regulations. The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Coordinates new hire orientation and prepares standard benefits packets. Assists with filing disability and life insurance claims Processes new hires, terminations, qualifying events, as related to employee benefits. Audit BenTek data, including but not limited to, eligibility, salary information, dependents, vendor feeds, and payroll deductions and make any necessary updates on an ongoing basis. Participates in the planning, development and execution of the annual Employee Benefits Fair. Assists Benefit Manager with the coordination of annual open enrollment, employee benefit meetings and service dates for all employees and retirees. Includes communication and coordination with the insurance carriers, employees, constitutional office liaisons, retirees, and agents of record. Responsible for updates and changes to the department's website and intranet pages. Develops an updated guide with FAQs for employees seeking to submit applications for service retirement. Includes the related forms information with the State of Florida Retirement System. Maintains and organizes benefits documentation by scanning, filing, and indexing records in compliance with applicable laws, policies, and records retention guidelines. Emergency Response County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description. Employees may request an exemption from this requirement by submitting the appropriate exemption form, subject to review and approval. Minimum Qualifications Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Public Administration, or related field. Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in professional human resources functions and/or related field. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter tailored to the position. Application materials must demonstrate clear, professional written communication skills. A combination of education, training and experience may be substituted at the County's discretion. Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida and be insurable by current insurance carrier, or valid Florida Identification Card is acceptable only for positions not required to drive a county vehicle. NIMs certification 100, 200, and 700 (must be obtained with 30 days of employment). Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SHRM-CP, or related certification preferred. Required Competencies Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable legal requirements related to the administration of employee benefits.Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of employee benefits plans and programs. Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey information clearly to employees at all levels. Strong analytical skills with attention to detail. Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment while also being self-motivated. Ability to maintain confidential personnel information. Ability to build and maintain relationships with employees, leadership, and constitutional offices. Ability to work in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Physical Requirements/Work Environment Requires sitting most of the day. The job involves frequent lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds, and occasionally up to 20 pounds. The job requires frequent bending, twisting, and occasional squatting, climbing, kneeling, and balancing. The job requires the completion of tasks that involve simple grasping, pushing, pulling, fine manual manipulation, and typing. The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, depth perception and color vision, hearing, and speaking. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Travel Requirement Occasional to moderate travel may be required, sometimes involving personal vehicles or overnight stays for meetings, training, or to visit other office locations. Pay Grade: 8 Salary Disclosure: Pay rates are based on policy, education, skill, experience level and internal equity. VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Hernando County BOCC provides to veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants. PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIEMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED. All applications will be carefully reviewed to evaluate qualifications and overall suitability for the position. The relevance, scope, and length of related work experience, training, and education outlined in the application and resume will be considered during the screening process. Selected applicants will be contacted to participate in interviews. Candidates are encouraged to clearly document all pertinent experience, including relevant knowledge, skills, or abilities gained outside of traditional employment, in the additional information section of the application. Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law. Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.
Under the direction of the Benefits Manager, the Benefits Specialist provides administrative and technical support for employee benefit programs within the county. This position is responsible for benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, record maintenance, and reporting while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and county regulations. The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Coordinates new hire orientation and prepares standard benefits packets. Assists with filing disability and life insurance claims Processes new hires, terminations, qualifying events, as related to employee benefits. Audit BenTek data, including but not limited to, eligibility, salary information, dependents, vendor feeds, and payroll deductions and make any necessary updates on an ongoing basis. Participates in the planning, development and execution of the annual Employee Benefits Fair. Assists Benefit Manager with the coordination of annual open enrollment, employee benefit meetings and service dates for all employees and retirees. Includes communication and coordination with the insurance carriers, employees, constitutional office liaisons, retirees, and agents of record. Responsible for updates and changes to the department's website and intranet pages. Develops an updated guide with FAQs for employees seeking to submit applications for service retirement. Includes the related forms information with the State of Florida Retirement System. Maintains and organizes benefits documentation by scanning, filing, and indexing records in compliance with applicable laws, policies, and records retention guidelines. Emergency Response County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description. Employees may request an exemption from this requirement by submitting the appropriate exemption form, subject to review and approval. Minimum Qualifications Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Public Administration, or related field. Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in professional human resources functions and/or related field. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter tailored to the position. Application materials must demonstrate clear, professional written communication skills. A combination of education, training and experience may be substituted at the County's discretion. Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida and be insurable by current insurance carrier, or valid Florida Identification Card is acceptable only for positions not required to drive a county vehicle. NIMs certification 100, 200, and 700 (must be obtained with 30 days of employment). Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SHRM-CP, or related certification preferred. Required Competencies Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable legal requirements related to the administration of employee benefits.Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of employee benefits plans and programs. Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey information clearly to employees at all levels. Strong analytical skills with attention to detail. Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment while also being self-motivated. Ability to maintain confidential personnel information. Ability to build and maintain relationships with employees, leadership, and constitutional offices. Ability to work in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Physical Requirements/Work Environment Requires sitting most of the day. The job involves frequent lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds, and occasionally up to 20 pounds. The job requires frequent bending, twisting, and occasional squatting, climbing, kneeling, and balancing. The job requires the completion of tasks that involve simple grasping, pushing, pulling, fine manual manipulation, and typing. The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, depth perception and color vision, hearing, and speaking. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Travel Requirement Occasional to moderate travel may be required, sometimes involving personal vehicles or overnight stays for meetings, training, or to visit other office locations. Pay Grade: 8 Salary Disclosure: Pay rates are based on policy, education, skill, experience level and internal equity. VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Hernando County BOCC provides to veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants. PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIEMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED. All applications will be carefully reviewed to evaluate qualifications and overall suitability for the position. The relevance, scope, and length of related work experience, training, and education outlined in the application and resume will be considered during the screening process. Selected applicants will be contacted to participate in interviews. Candidates are encouraged to clearly document all pertinent experience, including relevant knowledge, skills, or abilities gained outside of traditional employment, in the additional information section of the application. Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law. Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.