County of Alameda

Employee Benefits Specialist (#0263)

Bargaining Unit: Unrep - Confidential Mgmt (U50)
$41.75-$54.87 Hourly / $3,340.00-$4,389.60 BiWeekly /
$7,236.67-$9,510.80 Monthly / $86,840.00-$114,129.60 Yearly

Notify Me when a Job Opens for the above position(s)

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to oversee and lead a team of employees who will provide employee benefits information; handle the more complex benefits administration assignments and/or projects; assist the Supervisor with administering the County's benefits program; and perform other related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Employee Benefits Specialist position is in the Employee Benefits Center Division of the Human Resource Services Department. This position has lead responsibilities over a group of employees who process employee benefits. Incumbents of the class are responsible for working on the more complex and technical assignments in the administration of employee benefits. This class of Employee Benefits Specialist is distinguished from the Benefits Administration Supervisor in that the Supervisor has first-line supervisory responsibilities while the Employee Benefits Specialist has lead responsibilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Provides training and technical advice to staff on all employee benefit related duties and on other day-to-day functions.

2. Receives work assignments and distributes to subordinates in accordance with workload priorities; reviews work of subordinates for accuracy and completeness.

3. Assists subordinates in resolving problems encountered in their work; informs employees of new or revisions to employee salary benefit procedures.

4. Receives and audits various benefit related reports; and processes retroactive adjustments.

5. Liaison with Central Payroll for payroll runs to load retroactive benefits adjustments.

6. Liaison with employee benefit providers and third party administrators to update and correct benefit elections and coverage.

7. Regularly reviews employee benefit administration related processes and procedures and recommends appropriate changes.

8. Create and update Procedure Manual for Employee Benefits Technicians.

9. Create and update various employee benefit related letters and forms.

10. Advises supervisor of workload or personnel problems.

11. Reviews and processes Event Maintenance transactions in response to changes in benefits eligibility; and runs processes to identify newly eligible employees.

12. Reviews online reports for validation and notifies insurance carriers.

13. Reconciles employee benefit reports generated to ensure all employees are enrolled in the correct benefits plans.

14. Reconciles bi-weekly discrepancies reports between payroll and benefits.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of two-years full-time experience in the class of Employee Benefits Technician II in the Alameda County Classified Service.

Or II

Experience:

The equivalent of four years full-time experience processing employee benefits and handling complex employee benefit issues in an employee benefits department of a large private or public organization, one full-time year of which must have included serving as a lead to a small group of employees.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Example of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

Basic elements of employee benefits administration.
Computer and software application.
Research and statistical applications.

Ability to:

Make sound and effective decisions.
Plan, assign, direct and review the work of others on a project or day-to-day basis.
Organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines.
Exercise sound judgement within established policies and procedures.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and departments.
Read and interpret benefits guidelines.
Read documents for completeness, accuracy, appropriateness and compliance with procedures.
Write and communicate effectively.
Operate a personal computer.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

RE:bl
04/26/02
New doc: 0263.doc
CSC Date: 05/08/02
HC:po Admin. Change 12/08/06
RE:cs Revised/Retitled 03/21/12
Old Title: Employee Services Specialist
CSC Date: 10/30/13

AM:ah Revised 12/24/18

CSC Date: 01/16/19

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Share the Savings
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

12 paid holidays
Floating Holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual
Vacation purchase program
Management Paid Leave**
Catastrophic Sick Leave
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program
Guaranteed Ride Home
Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
Child Care Resources
1^st United Services Credit Union

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.