Human Resources and Benefits Specialist - Controller's Office

Eaton County•Charlotte, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Human Resources Administrator and Payroll and Benefits Manager, this role is responsible for administering the employee benefits and insurance programs for the County and serves as a liaison with insurance carriers and plan administrators. The position involves overseeing health, dental, life, and retirement programs, conducting new employee orientations, and managing changes in employee information. A key responsibility is serving as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Coordinator for the County, ensuring compliance with the law. The specialist also handles various claims, including FMLA, Worker’s Compensation, and Short-Term Disability, coordinating with third-party administrators and tracking due dates and leave durations. This role involves reconciling invoices, preparing billing information for retiree health and COBRA, and researching OSHA-related billings. Analyzing disability claims, determining eligibility, and preparing documentation are also core duties. The position coordinates communications for insurance bid proposals, manages the annual open enrollment process, and serves as a liaison for employee meetings with benefit plan representatives. Additionally, the specialist researches and responds to benefit-related questions, interprets labor agreements, conducts employee benefit surveys, and manages reasonable accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The role also includes managing workplace injury reports, coordinating medical care, and reporting incidents to Michigan OSHA and the Worker’s Compensation carrier. Responsibilities extend to managing initial responses and reporting to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency and representing the County in appeals. The position may also support other HR functions, such as note-taking and secondary investigations, and provide financial details on employment verifications. Other duties as assigned and providing office coverage as a backup are also part of the role.

Requirements

Must meet at least one of the following combinations of education in HR management, public administration, business administration or a related field and/or relevant experience:
Bachelor’s degree and two years of previous experience in the administration of insurance benefits and/or managing employee leave coordination.
Associate’s degree and four years of previous experience in the administration of insurance benefits and/or managing employee leave coordination.
High school diploma or GED and six years of previous experience in the administration of insurance benefits and/or managing employee leave coordination.
Michigan Vehicle Operator’s License.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proficient in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications, and the ability to master software utilized in personnel management.
Ability to assemble and analyze benefits data, prepare accurate reports, and formulate relevant recommendations.
Ability to access departmental files.
Ability to enter and retrieve information from computers.
Regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents, and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes.
Must be mobile in an office setting, stand, sit, stoop and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
Must lift or push/pull objects of up to 20 lbs. without assistance.
Must be able to be both resilient and adaptable when having difficult conversations or navigating situations of high stress.
May be required to perform public speaking.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a unionized environment, interpreting contracts, and managing leaves preferred.
Experience managing human resources/personnel administration in the public sector preferred.
Certification(s) through the Society for Human Resource Management or similar designations preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Administers and oversees the employee benefits program for the County including health, dental, life, and retirement.
Conducts orientation on employee benefit programs for all new employees and provides paperwork for changes.
Serves as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Coordinator for the County, working with the Insurance Broker to ensure compliance.
Responds to employee questions regarding coverage under various health plan options and other insurance.
Coordinates and processes all claims, including FMLA, Worker’s Compensation, and Short-Term Disability claims.
Tracks all due dates and leave durations to ensure compliance with County’s rules, procedures, and union agreements.
Coordinates with the County’s Insurance Broker and reconciles health plan invoices, dental invoices, and other employee benefits programs.
Provides billing information to the Financial and Purchasing Assistant for Retiree health and COBRA billings and maintains necessary documentation regarding COBRA.
Researches situations and responds to billings related to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Analyzes and interprets claims for disability benefit and determines eligibility based on medical evidence.
Prepares documents defining disability benefit determinations.
Coordinates with the County’s Insurance Broker on communications related to bid proposals for insurance benefits and programs.
Responsible for the annual open enrollment process including Health, Dental, other insurances, and retirement program elections.
Serves as the County liaison when scheduling employees to meet with representatives of the County’s Deferred Compensation Plan or other County provided insurances.
Researches and responds to questions regarding employee benefits according to labor agreements or applicable policies.
Interprets the personnel policy and labor agreements as they pertain to employee benefits and communicates such interpretations.
Conducts surveys internally related to employee benefits and completes external survey requests.
Maintains necessary documentation and processes all employee requests for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Manages all work place injuries reports including coordinating medical care for employees and properly recording the incident with Michigan OSHA and the County’s Worker’s Compensation carrier.
Manages the County’s initial responses and reporting with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency related to employees’ claims, and coordinates and represents the County in responses and appeals.
May act as support and back-up for other auxiliary Human Resources (HR) functions such as note taking and secondary investigator during an internal investigation.
Provides financial details on employment verifications.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Acts as a backup providing office coverage, as needed.