Benefits Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:
Under limited supervision, performs complex clerical duties following established procedures in the following areas: group life and health insurance, payroll balancing, benefit plans, SIP, records maintenance, recreational activities, nonexempt and exempt merit reviews. Encompasses all benefits for both salaried and hourly employees with some responsibility in compensation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Administers various employee benefit programs, such as group insurance, life, medical and dental, accident and disability insurance, pensions, investments, and savings; company bridging procedure; and health maintenance organizations.
2. Coordinates personnel procedures to initiate benefits such as pensions, disability insurance, medical and life insurance.
3. Initiates medical and option forms and or affidavits; arranges for their completion and submission within time limits.
4. Implements new benefit programs; arranges and conducts employee information presentations and enrollments.
5. Verifies the calculation of the monthly premium statements for all group insurance policies and maintains statistical data relative to premiums, claims, and costs. Resolves administrative problems with the carrier representatives.
6. Administers the personnel function of the Savings and Investment Plan in coordination with the Finance and Data Processing departments.
7. Researches annual lists of present, new, and former pension plan participants for all pertinent data. Submits data and documents to the appropriate committee, trustee, or actuary. Initiates the commencement of pension benefits. Maintains files of pension plan history, pension data, correspondence, reports, and forms. Initiates record keeping and retrieval methods in compliance with government regulations. Submits information to actuary for actuarial valuation of pension plan.
8. Prepares government reports; assists comptroller's department in preparation of reports and forms.
9. Prepares and forwards appraisal forms to supervisor for completion; records, files, and follows up on return of completed forms; sets up new appraisal dates. Computes salary changes, prepares status forms, balances payroll, and distributes paychecks. Prepares status changes for hourly, general, and automatic increases.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs other allied duties as assigned by supervisor.
2. 1. Assists in preparation of salary plan and other reports with Personnel Manager's direct supervision. Oversees employee telephone sales and recreational activities, and assists in coordinating social activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

1. High school diploma plus additional courses or seminars related to benefits administration and/or processing.
2. Two (2) to four (4) years in benefits or related clerical or administrative duties.
3. Good knowledge of company and departmental policies and procedures.
4. Involves frequent contact with personnel inside and outside the company requiring reasonable tact, discretion, self-expression, and a working knowledge of the benefits, policies, and procedures.