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  JobID: 2941
  
  
  

Position Type:
Classified - Service Personnel/SERVICE - CENTRAL ADMIN

Date Posted:
3/27/2023

Location:
ADM: Central Administration


Closing Date:
04/16/2023

Ulster BOCES is seeking an Employee Benefits Specialist for a full-time, 12 month position. The ideal candidate has several years of experience in human resources and employee benefits administration; has excellent writing and technical skills, and is passionate about technology; has a curious and analytical mind; is solution and results-driven, and works well under pressure; and has a positive, can-do attitude. High integrity, a strong work ethic, honesty, and a collaborative spirit are a must. The position is client-facing and requires a high level of customer service and professional courtesy. This is an excellent opportunity for a human resources professional looking to enter the public education sector. Regionally competitive salary and benefits. All Civil Service laws, rules and regulations apply. Fingerprinting required.

Civil Service Classification: Competitive. Merit and fitness competitive examination applies.

Salary commensurate with experience and training. Salary range: $55,000 to $65,000.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES :
An employee in this class is responsible for assisting employees and retirees with all benefits. The incumbent provides assistance and guidance concerning entitlements under benefits as established in collective bargaining agreements, terms and conditions, and personnel policies. The employee also has responsibility for preparing benefits-related reports and summaries, and serving as day-to-day liaison to brokers, benefits carriers, service providers and vendors. The work is performed under the general supervision of a higher level employee with leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in work methods. Supervision is not a responsibility of an employee in this class. Does related work as required.

SPECIFIC DUTIES :

• Conducts new employee benefits orientation and onboarding, advising on benefit options and coverage eligibility during and after employment, including Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), and retirement (as per the applicable collective bargaining agreement/terms and conditions);

• Oversees the administration of enrollments, changes and terminations for all active employees and retirees;

• Responds to employee and retiree inquiries regarding benefits, eligibility and rates, and works with benefits carriers to resolve issues, when needed;

• Answers employee and retiree questions regarding employment and retirement policies, practices, procedures and rights;

• Conducts employee benefits off-boarding, including review of coverage end dates, COBRA continuation, attendance balances, and unemployment insurance eligibility;

• Serves as Ulster BOCES liaison to benefits carriers and vendors, and assists with the reconciliation of monthly billing statements to ensure proper payment and enrollment subscribers;

• Maintains retiree roster and oversees retiree billing, including retiree payments and adjustments, and Medicare Part B;

• Manages employee attendance and leave, including Disability, Worker\xe2\x80\x99s Compensation and unpaid leave, and monitors attendance balances and benefits eligibility;

• Assists with Human Resources Information Systems and employee records management, in accordance with Ulster County BOCES policies and regulatory requirements

• Organizes annual benefits open-enrollment activities and notifies employees and retirees of options and/or changes in benefits, including employee contribution rates;

• Maintains detailed records pertaining to insurance policies, carriers and services (coverage);

• Maintains the benefits pages of the Ulster County BOCES website;

• Assists with organizing and conducting employee benefits fairs, as well as wellness programs and seminars;

• Keeps informed of statutory and regulatory changes in benefit areas that may impact Ulster County BOCES.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Either:
A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s Degree in Healthcare Administration, Healthcare Management, Human Resources or a closely related field; OR
B. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate\xe2\x80\x99s Degree in Healthcare Administration, Healthcare Management, Human Resources or a closely related field and two (2) years of full-time paid, or its\xe2\x80\x99 part-time equivalent, work experience in a position responsible for providing information about employee benefit plans (including employee health insurance programs, COBRA benefits and retirement benefits); OR
C. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalent diploma and four (4) years of full-time paid, or its\xe2\x80\x99 part-time equivalent, work experience in a position responsible for providing information about employee benefit plans (including employee health insurance programs, COBRA benefits and retirement benefits); OR
D. An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in A, B and C above.


AGENCY OVERVIEW

Our Mission:
At Ulster BOCES, our mission is to provide high quality shared educational, administrative, and technical services that will enable component school districts to develop the capacity of their students and adults to achieve higher standards of performance. With an emphasis on economic efficiencies, Ulster BOCES is committed to offering educational programs that enable all students to prepare for employment and/or post-secondary education.

The Ulster County Board of Cooperative Education Services is an educational agency serving eight component school districts. They are: Ellenville Central School District \xe2\x80\xa2 Highland Central School District \xe2\x80\xa2 Kingston City Schools Consolidated \xe2\x80\xa2 New Paltz Central School District \xe2\x80\xa2 Onteora Central School District \xe2\x80\xa2 Rondout Valley Central School District \xe2\x80\xa2 Saugerties Central School District \xe2\x80\xa2 Wallkill Central School District

BENEFITS
Generous health insurance, dental and vision benefits. Paid time off. New York state retirement system membership and 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities plan. Flexible spending plan, disability benefits, employee assistance program and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ulster County Board of Cooperative Education Services Non-Discrimination Statement

The Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Sole Supervisory District of Ulster County (\xe2\x80\x9cBOCES\xe2\x80\x9d), does not discriminate on the basis of an individual\xe2\x80\x99s actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, religious practice, national origin, ethnic group, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), gender identity, sexual orientation (\xe2\x80\x9csexual orientation\xe2\x80\x9d means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or asexuality), political affiliation, age, marital status, military status, veteran status, disability, weight, domestic violence victim status, arrest or conviction record, genetic predisposition or carrier status or any other legally protected status in regard to employment opportunities or educational/vocational programs or activities which it operates. All inquiries regarding BOCES Non-Discrimination policies and/or complaints regarding violation(s) of these policies should be directed to the BOCES Compliance Officer, Dr. Jonah Schenker, Deputy Superintendent in one of the following manners:

By E-Mail: complianceofficer@ulsterboces.org
By Mail: 175 Route North, New Paltz, New York, 12561
By Telephone: (845) 255-1400

Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulation and/or complaints regarding violation(s) of these provisions can be referred to the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005 -2500, Telephone: (646) 428-3900, FAX: (646) 428-3843; TDD: (800) 877-8339; E-Mail: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov