Benefits Specialist

The City of La Crosse is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Benefits Specialist within the Human Resources Department. The purpose of this classification is to administer the Human Resources benefit plans including short- and long-term disability, medical benefit plan, prescription drug plan, retirement, dental and vision insurance plans. 

Additionally, the Benefits Specialist will analyze benefit proposals; and oversee the third-party administrators of the above benefits for the city. An incumbent to this position is required to perform accurate recordkeeping and analytical tasks for work which includes highly confidential employee information. The work is performed under the direction of the Director of Human Resources. 

 

REQUIREMENTS:  Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field with three (3) years of experience, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities. Three (3) or more years of experience in employee benefits with working knowledge in medical benefit plans, open enrollment facilitation, COBRA, collective bargaining agreements and retirement plans. Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, organizational and customer service skills. Must be detail oriented and be proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.

 

Starting salary for this exempt position ranges from $64,355.20 to $73,694.40, depending on qualifications.

 

Benefits: The City offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical insurance, voluntary dental and vision plan, Wisconsin Retirement Plan, flexible spending account, deferred compensation, Roth IRA, life insurance, income continuation insurance, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and a variety of wellness initiatives. Benefit perks: low medical plan premium costs having a $400 deductible, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with a 6.9% employer contribution, 10 paid holidays, ability to earn sick days and vacation time available at time of hire.

 

Selected candidate is subject to background check and post-offer/pre-employment drug screen. Applications accepted until November 17, 2024. To be considered, submit an employment application, resume and cover letter by visiting the City of La Crosse website and clicking on City Services, then clicking Career Opportunities or by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi.

Purpose of Classification

The purpose of this classification is to administer Human Resource benefit plans including short and long term disability, medical benefit plan, prescription drug plan, retirement, to analyze benefit proposals; and to oversee the third party administrators of the above benefits for the City.  The work is performed under the direction of the Director of Human Resources.
 
Distinguishing Characteristics
 
Incumbent is required to perform accurate recordkeeping and analytical tasks for work that includes confidential employee information. The work is performed under the limited supervision of the Director of Human Resources.
 
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
 
The following duties are normal for this classification.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.
 
Provides guidance and counsels employees on all employee benefits, including eligibility, coverage inquiries, problems, etc.
 
Advises city supervisory personnel regarding employee benefits to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
 
Oversees the management of various aspects of the City's self-funded medical benefit plan including third party administrators (TPA) and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) performance compliance, implementation of plan design changes, transition to new administrators when applicable, interfacing with TPA/PBM as needed to resolve claim problems, etc.
 
Assists Director with evaluation of the plan design of the self-funded medical benefit plan and the impact of changes.
 
Conducts research for collective bargaining. Represents the city in collective bargaining negotiations, grievance and arbitration hearings on employee benefit issues.
 
Facilitates labor/management health care cost containment meetings.
 
Conducts new employee orientation for benefits. Determines employee benefits program eligibility and enrolls employees, such as health/life insurance, employee assistance program, deferred compensation, leave pay, and other programs.
 
Assists and counsels employees in completing claims for insurance, retirement and income continuation insurance. Completes employer forms for Wisconsin Retirement System. Monitors employee claims.
 
Monitors claims reports for stop-loss reporting, stop loss reimbursements.  Calculates annual stop loss reimbursement and tracks receipt of such.
 
Monitors claims reports for compliance to City's medical benefit plan, as well as to determine if trends are developing.
 
Conducts open enrollments for various benefit programs, including Section 125, medical benefit plan, supplemental ICI and dental plan.
 
Reviews and processes payment for benefit programs.
 
Coordinates annual Health Risk Assessments.
 
Maintains and updates City of La Crosse Medical Benefit Plan Master Plan Document and Summary Plan Description.  Ensures documents are compliant with Affordable Care Act and State and Federal mandates.
 
Monitors and researches State and Federal health care mandates to ensure that the City's medical benefit plan is compliant.  Provides timely notices to employees of mandate changes as required by law.
 
Administers and monitors COBRA participation.
 
Monitors City's duty disability program.
 
Coordinates, schedules and conducts employee benefit training.
 
Monitors part-time employee hours under Affordable Care Act to determine eligibility for medical benefit plan as a "full time" employee.
 
Coordinates and oversees the process for the Request for Proposal for third party administrators, pharmacy benefit management, Section 125, and medical benefit plan consultants.  May prepare, reviews and analyze RFP submittals.  Provides recommendations to Director of Human Resources.
 
Formulates and implements wellness programs.
 
Serves as member of WELCOA and Well County.
 
Assumes supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Director of Human Resources.
 
Maintains confidentiality of HIPAA and personnel matters.
 
 
Additional Tasks and Responsibilities
 
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this classification and may also be performed by other unit members.
 
Maintains employee medical benefit plan files.
 
Drafts resolutions as needed.
 
Prepares monthly bills.
 
 
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
 
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field  three years human resource experience, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.  Experience working with benefit administration strongly desired.  Demonstrates strong computer skills.  Excellent communication skills required.
 

Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards.  Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, assemble, copy and record and transcribe data and information.  Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data.
 
Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
 
Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as a variety of employment forms, grievances, union contracts, benefit forms, data reports from medical providers and pharmacy benefit  managers, billing statements, requisitions, budget, payroll records, advertisements, computer software operating manuals, benefit handbooks/manuals, service contracts, personnel policies, ordinances, statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
 
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with all city employees, Human Resources staff, union representatives, job applicants, medical care providers, training personnel, benefit plan administrators, consultants, media and the general public.
 
Mathematical Ability
 
Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.
 
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
 
Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions such as leading, teaching and controlling.

Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria, as opposed to criteria which are clearly measurable.
 
Physical Requirements
 
Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including computer terminal, typewriter, telephone, calculator/adding machine and photocopier.

Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as data entry.
 
Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some stooping, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
 
Ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.

Environmental Adaptability
 
Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as repetitive computer keyboard use, irate individuals and intimidation may cause discomfort and poses a limited risk of injury.                                    
 
The City of La Crosse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $64,355 - $73,694