Benefits Specialist

City of Houston•611 Walker Street, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist manages daily benefits operations for more than 59,000 City of Houston employees, retirees, and their families. The position responds to benefits coverage questions, processes plan changes resulting from Qualified Life Events, reviews and verifies supporting documentation for new dependents, and processes other benefits forms and paperwork. The specialist answers calls to the Benefits Call Center, returns voicemails, and assists walk-in visitors to the Benefits Division. The role also supports benefits-process oversight by reviewing reports on schedules ranging from bi-weekly to annual to help ensure process accuracy and quality. It uses SAP and other benefits systems to make updates based on report findings, communicates with employees, department liaisons, and City health care vendors, and assists with additional Human Resources functions as needed. The position reports to the BeWell Division and is based at 611 Walker St. Workdays and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., subject to change.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Social Science, Liberal Arts, or a related field; pertinent professional-level experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
At least one year of para-professional or professional experience in health benefits, customer service, administration, or a related area.
No license is required.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of benefits experience.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Excellent written communication skills for correspondence.
Good mathematical ability.
Ability to coordinate multiple tasks.
Ability to communicate with all levels of management and assist people from diverse backgrounds.
Bilingual ability is encouraged.
Eligible veteran applicants may receive preference when they meet the stated qualifications and other applicable criteria.

Responsibilities

Process Qualified Life Events and review and verify supporting documentation required to add or drop dependents from benefits plans.
Demonstrate knowledge of benefits, including administration of employee medical, dental, vision, life, and other benefits.
Provide accurate written communication to employees, department liaisons, and City health care vendors.
Inform callers, walk-in visitors, department liaisons, and vendor representatives about available benefits when prompted.
Facilitate Open Enrollment meetings.
Research, analyze, and resolve customer issues.
Review weekly, monthly, or quarterly Benefits Reports and make updates in SAP or other benefits systems based on findings.
Answer calls to the Benefits Call Center line, return voicemails as needed, and assist walk-in visitors to the Benefits Division.
Serve as a backup to other benefits representatives.
Proactively support additional Human Resources Department functions as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.