Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Employee Benefits Technician I

Recruitment #23-0265-01

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Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

DESCRIPTION

THE AGENCY

Department Mission

Deliver high quality and timely human resource services in partnership with County agencies, departments and special districts to enable our customers to reach their organizational goals.

Vision

To be the employer of choice and a great place to work.

Values

In a spirit of partnership, HRS strives for: Excellence in everything we do. Responsiveness to our customers and their needs. Fairness in our policies and practices. Innovation in developing and implementing new programs. Diversity in recognizing everyone’s unique contribution. Development of every employee’s full potential. Anticipate and meet the changing needs of employees and candidates to ensure the recruitment and retention of a talented and committed workforce. Support the County’s organizational culture that values customer service, performance excellence, diversity, and fiscal stewardship. Redesign and transform the recruitment function for improved customer service and satisfaction. Champion workforce planning and development to ensure that employees have every opportunity to assume leadership positions as baby boomers retire. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services through the increased use of technology.

For information about the HRSD Employee Benefits Center, visit their website at: www.acgov.org/hrs/divisions/ebc/ 

THE POSITION

Positions in this classification are the entry level of the Employee Benefits Technician classification flexibly-staffed series.  Incumbents of this classification, under close supervision, enroll and provide ongoing assistance to Alameda County employees with benefits that include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, County Allowance (Employer Credit), and other voluntary benefits, Vacation Purchase, and various leave plans, Commuter Benefit Plan; and perform other related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Incumbents in this position are located in the Employee Benefits Center of the Human Resource Services Department.  Responsibilities encompass a variety of activities, such as providing benefits orientation and ongoing benefits assistance.  The class of Employee Benefits Technician I is distinguished from the next higher one of Employee Benefits Technician II in that the former class is the entry-level in the series and, under close supervision, is learning the full scope of the assigned duties and responsibilities.  

Employee Benefits Technician I’s are expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency with satisfactory job performance which qualifies them to promote to the higher-level class after the equivalent of one (1) year of full-time service.


For more detailed information about the job classification, visit: Employee Benefits Technician I (#0265)

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Alameda County's Human Resources Services Department-Employee Benefits Center, is seeking qualified individuals to serve in the position of Employee Benefits Technician I. Employee Benefits Technician I's work in a fast paced call center environment providing information to County Employees in the following areas but are not limited to the following:

  • Providing customer service and explanation of comprehensive benefit plans to employees. Benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic & Supplemental Life & AD& D Insurance plans, various leave plans, Disability Insurance Plans, Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Group Legal, Group Auto & Home and Vacation Purchase/Sellback. 
  • Conducts New Employee Orientations. Discusses and provides forms to employees and follows-up within established timeframes to ensure that payroll deductions begin.
  • Processes enrollment forms for various benefit programs by checking for accuracy and completeness, verifying employee eligibility, and transmitting forms to appropriate departments, agencies, or plan administrators.
  • Inputs, verifies and retrieves employee benefit related data from the HRMS computer system and other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TECHNICIAN I  

EITHER I
Experience:

The equivalent of six months experience as an Eligibility Services Technician III or the equivalent of two (2) years of full-time experience as a Retirement Technician in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II
Experience:

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time experience processing and explaining employee health and welfare related benefits in a public or private organization that administers benefit programs.


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

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified applicant will possess the following:

Knowledge of:

  • Laws, regulations and procedures related to employee benefit programs.
  • General employee benefits administration.
  • General employee payroll processing.
  • Current trends in employee benefit rules, regulations and practices.
  • Principles and practices of effective and efficient customer service.
  • Computer software applications including HRIS computer application software.
  • Business mathematics.  

Ability to:

  • Perform detailed work accurately within established timeframes.
  • Reconcile reports in a timely manner.
  • Follow and interpret administrative guidelines and procedures related to employee benefit programs.
  • Gather and evaluate relevant information in researching and resolving benefit-related issues.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County department personnel, co-workers, and employees.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside vendors.
  • Explain and apply regulations, policies, and procedures of various employee benefits.
  • Review documents for completeness, accuracy, appropriate authorization, and compliance.
  • Maintain accurate records and files.
  • Work with and prioritize multiple tasks.
  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Create and conduct effective oral presentations.
  • Maintain confidentiality of employee benefit records and reports.
  • Perform various mathematical computations, using a calculator, related to rates, premiums, refunds, deductions, and contributions.
  • Maintain information system database through accurate input of data.
  • Use and/or design spreadsheet applications to automate work processes.
  • Function proficiently in an automated office environment.

    EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

    THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

     

    1. A review of applicants' applications and supplemental questionnaire to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.

    2. A screening for best qualified weighted as pass/fail. Candidates passing this test component will move forward to the next step in the examination process.

    3. An oral examination, weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

     

     CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION

    Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

     

    For more information on the Civil Service Selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

    Selection Plan

    Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

    TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

    Deadline for Filing:

    Tuesday, May 30, 2023

     

    Review of Applications for Minimum Qualifications:

    June 5, 2023

     

    Screening for Best Qualified:

    June 20, 2023

    Virtual Oral Interviews:

    July 7, 2023

    WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

    Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

    For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website: www.acgov.org/hrs

    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

    • 11 paid holidays
    • Floating Holidays
    • Vacation and sick leave accrual
    • Vacation purchase program
    • Management Paid Leave**
    • Catastrophic Sick Leave
    • Group Auto/Home Insurance
    • 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
    • 1st 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.

    Conclusion

    All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, @acgov.org, Noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org and Noreply@jobaps.com as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

    Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

    NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email boxes Noreply@jobaps.com and noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org are routed to unmonitored mailboxes. If you have questions, please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

     

     

    Monique Hill, Personnel Services Program Manager, Recruitment & Selection

    Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

    (510) 208-4841 or email Monique.Hill@acgov.org 

    www.acgov.org/hrs

     

     

    Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.


     

     DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

    All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law.  Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

    Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.