Benefits Technician

This recruitment is open only to Mendocino County employees with at least six (6) months of regular, full-time continuous employment or equivalent permanent part-time service. This position receives an additional 5% Confidential premium.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in the development and implementation of programs, policies and procedures and performs a variety of benefits management support work that requires the exercise of independent judgment and the application of technical skills in areas related to employee benefits and insurance, or loss control programs.
• Serve as liaison and resource for departments, employees, and other interested parties regarding claims procedures; benefit levels; claims processing; health issues and training; health plan enrollment; and other benefits management programs.
• Work with contract service providers and external agencies to ensure timely and cost-effective claims resolutions that are in accordance with legal statutes, civil procedures, and administrative regulations; manages and monitors program budget.
• Analyze incident, usage and cost data, prepares narrative and statistical reports.
• Prepare spreadsheets using health plan and voluntary benefit enrollment forms to provide employee deductions to the Auditor's Payroll Unit.
• Discuss benefits with and counsel employees about benefit/coverage issues including COBRA; explain policies/proce­dures, program require­ments - legal and otherwise; ans­wer inquiries and act as liaison between insurance providers and employees and their families regarding insurance coverage; assist county employees in receiving benefits for which they have enrolled, including the resolution of claims processing problems.
• Ensure continued insurance coverage for eligible employees on unpaid or other leave types by coordinating the payment of shared premiums between the employee and the County and/or arranging for reimbursement of employee premiums paid by the County while the employee was away from the job.
• Process, maintain and update financial records, claims, transactions, bills, files and computer databases per­tain­ing to bene­fits pro­grams and activities by reviewing source or summary docu­ments/data for complete­ness, accuracy and con­form­i­­ty to ensure compli­ance and effect re­vi­­sions as neces­­sary in order to correct documents/data as appro­priate; co­or­dinate with submitting party or third party providers to resolve prob­lems/ issues.
• Present benefits information at new employee orientation, both orally and in print (e.g., in­for­mation packages) to ensure that employees can make informed choices on benefit coverage.
• Distribute benefits-related materials such as in­sur­ance cards, cer­ti­fi­cates, reimbursement checks and informational brochures so that em­ployees re­ceive resources in a timely manner.
• Serve as initial con­tact/resource person for benefits-related issues; screen calls, visi­tors and mail in order to respond to complaints and requests for infor­mation and assistance.
• May assist Human Resources, County Counsel, County Departments and contract attorneys in litigation preparation.
• Review loss and utilization data and other information used to develop charges to departments for purchased insurance, self-insurance or administrative costs of benefits management programs.
• Organize and perform associated office support activities by photocopying, assembling and disseminating correspondence, reports, records, charts, memos and other documents, ans­wering telephones and maintaining files in order to support office operations.
• Write letters, memos and other correspondence on a variety of confidential and non-confidential topics related to benefits administration in order to obtain or provide information, answer questions or resolve coverage and other issues.
• May serve as a member of various committees dealing with benefit related issues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education and Experience:
Associate's degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school in human resources, business administration or related field; and three (3) years of experience performing benefits or other human resources related functions such as maintaining personnel files, processing personnel related documentation, customer service duties and providing technical support to professional level staff.
Substitution: An equivalent combination of training, education and experience equal to five (5) years in field related to human resources or benefits administration that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:
Valid Driver's LicenseKnowledge of:

• Principles and practices, legal statutes, civil procedures and administrative regulations related to employee benefits, health insurance and other related programs.
• Medical and technical terminology used in benefits programs.
• Claims adjusting, investigations, and administration techniques necessary to carry management of claims.
• General accounting principles and procedures including budgetary principles and practices.
• Benefit programs (health, life and accident insurance, etc.)
• Financial records management.
• Human Resources information systems.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Written and oral communications.
• Internal departmental policies and procedures.
• Office administration and office support practices and procedures, such as business letter writing and the operation of standard office equipment, including a word processor and personal or on-line computer.
• External governmental bodies, agencies and associated regulations related to area of assignment.
• Research methodology, report writing and basic statistics.
• Ability to manage and monitor program budgets.
• Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.

Skill in:

• Writing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other materials.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Analyzing and resolving office administrative situations and problems.
• Researching, compiling and summarizing a variety of information and statistical data and materials.
• Managing and monitoring program budgets.
• Planning and organizing research and statistical reports.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Apply logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks.
• Understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Type from rough draft or printed text using a word processor or typewriter.
• Use a computer to accurately and rapidly enter and retrieve data and information.
• Communicate orally with internal staff, citizens and other departmental staff in order to give and receive information in a courteous manner.
• Effectively present conclusions before advising policy boards.
• Read, interpret and apply written materials such as procedure manuals, plan documents and so forth.
• Prepare informational materials, brochures and newsletters to relate complex regulations and data to employees and officials.
• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Draft and type correspondence using a keyboard.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
• Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference "see résumé" will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed with those judged most qualified progressing further in the selection process. Based on the number of qualified candidates, an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form, will be administered. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: If you require special testing arrangements to accommodate a disability or religious conviction you must contact Human Resources at 707.234.6600 prior to the test date to make your requirements known. You must provide enough advance notice to allow Human Resources to properly review and evaluate your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Employment Type: Full-time Permanent