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SalaryThe Benefits Specialist administers WSSC Water’s benefit programs in compliance with the applicable Federal and state statutes and WSSC Water policies. The Benefits Specialist has responsibility for the following functions on a rotating basis: (1) deferred compensation and technical support, (2) health, employee assistance program and life insurance, (3) family medical and military caregiver leave and leave programs.
Essential Functions
Deferred Compensation:
- Administers the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program for employees, retirees and dependents serving as liaison to authorized provider(s)
- Publicizes and actively promotes program
- Coordinates logistics of group educational seminars and meets with employees individually
- Analyzes and approves/processes members election requests
- Prepares bi-weekly payroll changes to update payroll deductions for employees
- Reviews weekly and monthly contribution reports from authorized provider(s)
- Addresses and resolves enrollment/contribution issues with providers and tracks/monitors trends
- Researches program enhancements and coordinates with Payroll and IT for implementation
- Utilizes in-house and web-based computer programs and databases to update, maintain and create reports for analysis
Technical Support:
- Acts as an Oracle Advanced Benefits (OAB) subject matter expert with regards to upgrades, testing, and processing data
- Creates test scenarios for system changes following established testing protocols and appropriate testing tools
- Serves as the Benefits Team liaison to IT
- Maintains the benefits record-keeping system for HR Administrators and employee self-service, ensure systems are meeting all users’ needs and recommends changes, when necessary
- Manages the Medicare Part D EGWP enrollment process and subsequent responsibilities
- Tracks Medicare and WSSC Water enrollments to ensure correct coordination of benefits for retirees
- Coordinates and ensures reimbursement of Medicare Part D Low Income Premium Subsidy payments within CMS mandated timelines
- Prepares bi-weekly benefits changes to update payroll deductions for employees
- Prepares monthly benefits changes for Retirement Office to update benefit deductions for retirees and beneficiaries
- Conducts regular and ad hoc audits to ensure correct eligibility and enrollment and accuracy of invoices; reconciles discrepancies with appropriate vendor(s)
- Creates and runs reports essential to managing WSSC Water’s benefits and leaves, i.e., W-2’s, PPACA reporting, Total Rewards Statements, census for vendors and consultants, EGWP rebates and subsidies, team statistical metrics
- Prepares and processes data for Federal, state and local reporting requirements within mandated timelines
- Participates and responds to external surveys and retirement actuarial valuations, i.e., U.S. Census Bureau, CMS Data Match and Disclosures, OPEB, GASB, LPGA, Montgomery County Management Report
- Assist with open enrollment
Health Benefits:
- Administers medical, prescription, dental, vision, FSA’s, COBRA, Medicare Part D and HIPAA for all eligible WSSC Water employees and retirees, serving as liaison to authorized provider(s)
- Manages the Open Enrollment process and subsequent responsibilities
- Ensures plans are administered in compliance with applicable Federal and State legal requirements, i.e. Affordable Care Act
- Collects and analyzes required documentation from members to ensure eligibility for benefits
- Addresses and resolves claim and eligibility issues with vendors and tracks/monitors trends
- Assists with regular and ad hoc audits to ensure correct eligibility and enrollment and accuracy of invoices; reconciles discrepancies with appropriate vendor(s)
- Utilizes in-house and web-based computer programs and databases to update, maintain and create reports for analysis
Employee Assistance Program:
- Administers the Employee Assistance Program for employees and dependents serving as liaison to authorized provider(s)
- Creates monthly calendar outlining focus to publicize and promote usage
- In conjunction with the Wellness Specialist, synchronizes group educational seminars
- Analyzes and reviews quarterly utilization reports with provider(s) and Benefits Team
- Reviews and approves monthly invoices
- Utilizes in-house and web-based computer programs and databases to update, maintain and create reports for analysis
Life Insurance:
- Administers the life insurance program for eligible employees, retirees and dependents serving as liaison to authorized provider(s)
- Reviews and prepares life insurance claims for employees, retirees and dependents
- Reviews and processes annual Open Enrollment elections and Evidence of Insurability
- Analyzes and prepares census data for renewals
- Conducts regular and ad hoc audits to ensure correct eligibility and enrollment
Family Medical and Military Caregiver Leave:
- Administers all FMLA activities and related WSSC Water programs
- Serves as Case Manager for employees covered on this program
- Partners with managers to ensure all employees are treated fairly and in an equitable manner
- Coordinates benefits, when applicable, with other leave programs being administered
- Assists the General Counsel’s Office in the preparation of case material
- Serves as liaison with the HR Generalists, Workers’ Compensation Specialist, Safety Analysts and Occupational Health Nurse
- Utilizes in-house and web-based computer programs and databases to update and maintain data
- Prepares, analyzes and manages statistical data, spreadsheets, annual reports and ad hoc reports management
Leave Programs:
- Administers the Sick Leave Bank Benefit Program, serves as liaison with the third-party administrator, prepares payroll in accordance with established policies and procedures and compiles annual report for the Board and members
- Administers the Short Term Disability Program, serves as liaison with the third-party administrator; reviews, prepares and monitors ongoing disability claims adhering to internal policies and procedures; analyzes and prepares census data for renewals
- Administers the Injury/Illness Leave Program
- In conjunction with the HR Generalists and Workers’ Compensation Specialist, administers Return to Work program, including light duty, full duty and priority placement according to WSSC Water policies
- Conducts regular and ad hoc audits to ensure correct eligibility and enrollment
Additional Benefits:
- Knowledge of other benefits and leave programs offered by the WSSC Water to its employees and retirees
Other Functions
- Prepares benefit program language, policies, standard and internal operating procedures
- Ensures compliance with the applicable Federal and state laws, i.e., HIPAA, PPACA, FMLA, Workers’ Compensation WSSC Water, OSHA, etc.
- Processes invoices, monitors program costs and usage and recommends actions to control expenditures
- Prepares, analyzes and manages statistical data & spreadsheets relevant to these programs
- Prepares and presents benefit plan changes which may include educational seminars, open enrollment sessions, and workshops
- Reviews and monitors the customer service provided by the benefit and service vendors
- Along with the Manager, meets with vendors on a regular basis
- Performs ongoing communication with members about claims
- Prepares and presents life cycle benefit information to employees
- Performs all tasks and job functions in compliance with regulatory requirements
- Maintains appropriate files and records
- Supports the Human Resources Office with respect to new system development efforts, including the introduction of Oracle Advanced Benefits module
- Supports the Manager with the Procurement solicitation process
- Performs other related duties as required
Work Environment And Physical Demands
Work is performed in a business casual office environment
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of benefit program design and administration including Federal and State laws and current best practices
- Working knowledge of human resources management and business administration
- Working knowledge of project management
- Demonstrated ability in strategic thinking, internal consulting, conflict resolution, and communication at all organizational levels
- Ability to work cooperatively with peers and supervisors in a team-based environment with a focus on customer service
- Ability to make independent decisions, solve problems and implement those decisions
- Ability to exercise sound judgment
- Ability to use standard office automation software
Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years experience delivering customer service in a full-service benefit program, which includes statistical analysis as used in benefit analysis, reporting and design
OR
High School diploma (or equivalent) and 9+ years professional experience delivering customer service in a full-service benefit program, which includes statistical analysis as used in benefit analysis, reporting and design
