Benefits Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Benefits Specialist

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of HR and Legal Services

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

To coordinate all functions associated with the administration of the District's employee benefits programs with a high level of customer service. This position ensures the accuracy and timeliness of benefit transactions and ensures benefit procedures are compliant, efficient, and current. The individual in this position must be self-directed, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills. The individual in this position must maintain a high level of professionalism, integrity, trust, and confidentiality.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or related field

2. SHRM certification, preferred

3. 3-5 years of experience in benefits or Human Resources

4. Experience in Tyler Technologies HRIS, preferred

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Ability to understand information in benefits administration, including legal documents

2. Ability to work with speed, attention to detail, and consistency

3. Ability to calculate, analyze and use data

4. Ability to use database, spreadsheet, internet, word-processing programs

5. Ability to work with collective bargaining representatives on contract issues

6. Ability to manage and organize personnel information to comply with laws and contracts

7. Possess strong communication, organizational, and record keeping skills

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Administer daily operations of all employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending plans, health savings plans, COBRA, wellness, employee assistance program, leave of absence, workers compensation and unemployment

• Process and maintain required information in payroll and insurance systems to ensure accurate record-keeping and proper benefit and deduction amounts

• Audit and reconcile employee benefit premium invoices

• Invoice employees for insurance premiums not collected through payroll

• Complete required employee benefit reporting, including ACA

• Troubleshoot and resolve employee benefit issues and questions from employees

• Reviews and assures compliance with federal and state statutes related to employee benefits.

• Acts as liaison for benefits plan representatives

• Maintains in-depth knowledge and expertise in employee benefits services

• Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of employee benefits packages

• Facilitates the District's insurance open enrollment process

• Process and ensure accuracy of benefit enrollments, changes and terminations

• Facilities the District's wellness program

• Administer leave of absence requests in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and/or applicable state and federal law.

• Process employee time off and leave accruals in absence management system and payroll system

• Enroll new employees in appropriate systems and programs

• Manage new employee personnel and benefits records

• Orient new employees to the district

• Meets with potential retirees to discuss retirement benefit information

• Serves on District committees as appropriate/assigned

• Maintain knowledge of District policies, internal controls, collective bargaining agreements and individual employment contracts along with knowledge of local, state and federal laws related to primary job functions

• Assists with the administration of other fringe employee benefits, including but not limited to: tuition reimbursement, student loan forgiveness, etc

• Assist with the preparation of confidential collective bargaining proposals by accessing, gathering assembling, and analyzing confidential salary, benefit, and other financial expenditures information

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit pertaining to District 219.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 260 days

SALARY RANGE: Target hiring range for this position will be between $67,000 to $80,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the District procedures on administrative evaluation.

APPLY ONLINE AT: www.niles219.org

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is continuously interacting with the public, staff and students. The employee frequently must meet multiple demands from several people. The employee is regularly required to sit and stand. The employee is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Occasionally the employee must use hand/grip strength to operate office equipment. Ability to withstand long term use of video display terminals is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is required to regularly interact with the students, staff and the public.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Niles Township High School District 219 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy and practice of District 219 to decide all matters relating to employment solely on the basis of the applicant's ability to perform the essential functions of the position. District 219 ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, or handicap.

The District has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certified employees. Any individual needing assistance in submitting an application for an opening should contact the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources.