BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR

Group Insurance Administrator

Under limited supervision, administers the County's group insurance plans, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending accounts, and the County's Deferred Compensation Program. Serves as a member of the County's collective bargaining team and assists with personnel investigations.

Illustrative Examples Of Work

Researches, analyzes, designs, implements, and modifies comprehensive employee benefit programs; recommends the modification, elimination, or development of collectively bargained and non-represented employee benefits based on analysis and organizational needs.

Prepares detailed benefit specifications, solicits and evaluates proposals for coverage, coordinates vendor selection, negotiates cost-effective coverage with providers, reviews plan documents and contracts, and monitors vendor performance.

Assists in developing and implementing comprehensive written policies and procedures to ensure benefit program compliance with various federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and legal decisions.

Administers the County's Deferred Compensation Program, including employee contributions, plan changes, and annual reporting; maintains participant databases, provides staff support to Deferred Compensation Committee, and ensures compliance with IRS regulations.

Assists in negotiating, interpreting, and administering collective bargaining agreements; serves as a member of the County's collective bargaining team; conducts benefit-related research and costing for purposes of collective bargaining; maintains benefit related information for employee manuals.

Provides guidance to management staff on labor agreement interpretation and administration; supports resolution of disciplinary actions.

Conducts special studies and participates in special projects; performs research, compiles statistics, analyzes data, and prepares reports for management review; develops and maintains complex spreadsheets and databases.

Conducts and coordinates training on benefit plans; provides supervisory training and presents to the Board of Supervisors, Elected Officials, Department Heads, county staff, and the general public as needed.

Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Considerable knowledge of employee benefit program administration, including Polk County's policies, procedures, and Deferred Compensation Plan and Trust.

Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, administrative rules, and guidelines pertaining to labor relations, benefits administration, and employment law including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Public Employment Relations Act, COBRA, FMLA, unemployment, workers compensation, and insurance regulations.

Considerable knowledge of human resources principles, business administration, labor relations administration, and insurance management.

Knowledge of Internal Revenue Code Section 457.

Knowledge of computerized department program software including the HR / Payroll System and database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs.

Knowledge of contract law, insurance underwriting, and actuarial practices.

Proficient skill in operating a personal computer and general office equipment.

Ability to develop and administer employee benefit programs and evaluate their effectiveness.

Ability to resolve conflict through persuasion, mediation, and negotiation.

Ability to research and analyze complex information, organize data, evaluate alternatives, and make appropriate recommendations.

Ability to make complex decisions according to the Plan, Trust, and Administrative Rules and in accordance with laws, rules, and regulations.

Ability to discreetly manage confidential information.

Ability to prepare reports and to present facts clearly and concisely.

Ability to create and maintain complex spreadsheets including mathematical formulas.

Ability to lead and coordinate internal initiatives and projects.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Ability to make effective presentations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, elected officials, public officials, department heads, representatives of other governmental agencies, vendors, and the general public, fostering a collaborative and professional work environment.

Training And Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Human Resources Management, or a closely related field, and

Five years of progressively responsible work experience in human resources, employee benefits or related field, preferably in the public sector, or

Any equivalent combination of training and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Special Requirements :

• A criminal background check is required.
• A drug screen is required prior to final offer of employment.
• A valid State of Iowa driver's license is required.