Human Resources Specialist 1 (Benefits) or Trainee 1 / Trainee 2

State of New York•Albany, NY

52d•$56,655 - $83,286•Hybrid

About The Position

Employee Benefits has the lead role for administering the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), one of the largest public employer health insurance programs in the nation covering more than 1.2 million lives. This position will play an important role in ensuring the continued success of the comprehensive health insurance programs. The Human Resources Specialist 1 duties in Employee Benefits will include but are not limited to the following: This posting is for multiple vacancies within the division. Participating in the administration of the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) by providing guidance, instruction, assistance, and information to client agencies and enrollees verbally and in written form. This includes responding to inquiries regarding law, regulations, policy and administration of NYSHIP, as well as benefit and claims assistance. This includes being knowledgeable of Division and Department policies and procedures and being knowledgeable in transactional processing in the New York State Benefits Eligibility and Accounting System (NYBEAS). Answering telephone inquiries from NYSHIP enrollees and Health Benefits Administrators (HBA); documenting phone calls and responding to tickets using the ORACLE application. Reviewing and preparing NYSHIP plan materials and providing training on this information. This may include presenting in person or virtually to State employees and employees of local government agencies that participate in NYSHIP. Using developed metrics and reporting to ensure unit workflow is meeting minimum standards and developing strategies to improve staff performance and/or self-performance and assisting management with decision making. Testing and providing feedback on NYBEAS changes. Conducting regular reconciliations with the NYSHIP vendors; these include, but are not limited to, the four plan administrators of The Empire Plan, the eight HMOs, the dental plan, and the vision plan. Reviewing and overseeing staff who will be working all reconciliation files. Processing any needed changes to the NYBEAS enrollment file and communicating with HBAs to ensure accuracy. Working closely with Vendor Managements to communicate and coordinate necessary changes between ITS and the Vendors.

Requirements

Four years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing various employee benefits (such as health, dental, vision, and life insurance; and workers' compensation, income protection, and disability benefits); establishing and applying eligibility requirements; and arranging and communicating to enrollees the details of each benefit.
An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master's degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
Five years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing various employee benefits (such as health, dental, vision, and life insurance; and workers' compensation, income protection, and disability benefits); establishing and applying eligibility requirements; and arranging and communicating to enrollees the details of each benefit.
An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for two years of experience; a master's degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
Six years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing various employee benefits (such as health, dental, vision, and life insurance; and workers' compensation, income protection, and disability benefits); establishing and applying eligibility requirements; and arranging and communicating to enrollees the details of each benefit.
An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master's degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
Current Department of Civil Service employees with one year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55 B/C service as a Human Resources Specialist 1 (Benefits) or Trainee 1 / Trainee 2; if less than one year, you must be currently reachable on the PATT or PCO eligible list for the Albany location if one exists.
You must be reachable on the current eligible list or eligible for transfer.
One year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55 B/C service in a title eligible for transfer and determined to be similar by Civil Service.
One year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55 B/C service in a title eligible for transfer and determined to be similar by Civil Service.
A subsequent 55 B/C appointment may be considered if you have one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 B/C service in an eligible position allocated to Grade 12.

Responsibilities

Participating in the administration of the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) by providing guidance, instruction, assistance, and information to client agencies and enrollees verbally and in written form.
Answering telephone inquiries from NYSHIP enrollees and Health Benefits Administrators (HBA); documenting phone calls and responding to tickets using the ORACLE application.
Reviewing and preparing NYSHIP plan materials and providing training on this information.
Using developed metrics and reporting to ensure unit workflow is meeting minimum standards and developing strategies to improve staff performance and/or self-performance and assisting management with decision making.
Testing and providing feedback on NYBEAS changes.
Conducting regular reconciliations with the NYSHIP vendors
Reviewing and overseeing staff who will be working all reconciliation files.
Processing any needed changes to the NYBEAS enrollment file and communicating with HBAs to ensure accuracy.
Working closely with Vendor Managements to communicate and coordinate necessary changes between ITS and the Vendors.