Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities:

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all?inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Benefit Administration - Administer County employee group insurance programs; assist employees with questions regarding eligibility and/or effective coverage dates, coverage issues; monitor employee eligibility and facilitate employee enrollment process and serve as county's "contact person" for internal and external customers. Act as a liaison between the County, insurance broker, County Care Clinic and all insurance carriers. Maintain county compliance with COBRA obligations through notification and correspondence. Administer all plan aspects of the health, dental, vision, disability, retirement, deferred compensation, and flexible spending programs. Monitors all employee biweekly payroll hours worked to determine and process status or eligibility changes related to benefit eligibility. Notify and explain changes to employees. Maintains employee privacy regarding HIPAA compliance and confidentiality. Works within Human Resources Department to communicate and assist in disability needs, including FMLA, Leaves of Absence, and Wisconsin Retirement System instances. Assure and facilitate employee enrollment and participation in group life and Wisconsin Retirement System programs and monitors County compliance with applicable program regulations and procedures. Monitor employee participation additions, deletions, and changes in the County's group health insurance, dental, vision, disability, COBRA, flex spending, and deferred compensation program and adjust in billings, bi-weekly payroll deduction adjustments, and contribution obligations. Reconcile monthly insurance invoices and process COBRA payments. Determine and process payment of severance benefits (i.e., vacation, sick leave) to terminating and retiring employees pursuant to applicable policies and procedures. Meet with soon to be retirees to coordinate benefit coverage and payouts prior to their departure with the County. Annually facilitate and process employee enrollment and participation for open enrollment with insurances and flexible spending account program; follows up to resolve problematic or unique situations, circumstances, etc. Explain and assist in enrollment of all benefits for new employee weekly orientations. Complete and file all reporting for Child Support orders, WRS, CMS requirements. Annually facilitates ACA mandated reporting following state and federal guidelines, based on rolling annual lookback eligibility and filing criteria. Access and utilize all benefit portals. Analyze weekly HRIS reports to anticipate bi-weekly payroll adjustments needs. Analyze weekly discrepancy reports to ensure EDI file feeds are accurate and make benefit adjustments as necessary. Understand benefits setups in HRIS software system to assist with communicating changes to employees, testing scenarios for patch updates, and upload changes and rates adjustments. Performs other duties as requested to support Human Resources function.

Decision Making:

Decisions within areas of responsibility are made independently. The HR Director is available to provide guidance on unique situations.


Must know all policies of the county and WRS to ensure that employees are being paid correctly upon retirement or leaving the county.


Must make decisions on all aspects of insurance policies for eligibility, problem-solving, and billing.

Interaction:

There is significant contact with employees, department heads, insurance carriers, and others outside of the department and county for policies, programs, and implementation.

Desirable Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of HR rules and regulations relevant to benefit administration and eligibility, insurance policies and ability to learn Wisconsin Retirement rules and idiosyncrasies for government services. Significant ability to interpret policy language to communicate to employees. Familiarity with payroll processes and adjustments.


Excellent problem-solving, confidentiality, and interpersonal skills to ensure ethical and cultural awareness while communicating and interacting with people at all levels. Strong teamwork and collaboration abilities and willingness to assist when needed. Ability to be considerate with delicate employee matters.


Accuracy, attention to detail, time management, proficiency using multiple online platforms, and proficiency using HRIS/ERP system (Oracle preferred) to compute mathematical adjustments and payouts. Significant knowledge of modern office practices, equipment, Microsoft Office, and internet skills.

Training and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, or related field preferred


3 to 5 years of increasingly responsible office experience in HR/payroll/insurance and benefits administration.


In evaluating candidates for this position, the County may consider a combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.