Member Benefits Coordinator

California School Employees Association•San Jose, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Member Benefits Coordinator will perform a variety of professional duties requiring a high level of expertise and decision-making in planning and coordinating member benefits programs, including special services, member insurance, health and welfare, and retirement. This role involves actively seeking opportunities to develop new programs and services, negotiating with vendors and insurance carriers, developing marketing and promotional materials, and representing member concerns to various stakeholders.

Requirements

Knowledge of operational characteristics, services and activities of a member benefits program.
Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs.
Knowledge of modern and complex principles and practices of program development and administration.
Knowledge of principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations including public retirement, Social Security, and Medicare legislation.
Knowledge of principles of accounting and financing of retirement and health and welfare benefits.
Knowledge of current and pending legislation and court decisions relating to the rights and obligations of Association members, leaders and staff.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public relations, advertising, merchandising, and promotion.
Knowledge of principles and practices of graphic layout and design.
Knowledge of insurance principles and practices including coverage requirements.
Knowledge of member retirement plan operation including eligibility requirements and funding.
Knowledge of English usage, style, vocabulary and syntax.
Knowledge of principles, procedures, and techniques of research and investigation.
Knowledge of principles and practices of negotiation.
Knowledge of principles of mathematical and statistical computations.
Ability to identify and respond to Board of Directors, Executive Director, and members issues, concerns and needs.
Ability to develop, implement and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient member benefits and services.
Ability to demonstrate initiative, creativity and exercise independent judgment in the performance of duties.
Ability to remain calm and think clearly under pressure.
Ability to prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.
Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate data relating to various methods, procedures and techniques.
Ability to apply knowledge of public relations, advertising, merchandising and promotion effectively in the development of publications and advertising programs.
Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
Ability to coordinate state membership committees.
Ability to analyze insurance requirements of members and negotiate for best coverage and cost.
Ability to develop and communicate Association health and welfare objectives to other organizations and firms.
Ability to present, represent and interpret retirement, Social Security, and Medicare regulations, as well as Association policy, procedures, and programs to the membership and staff.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Three years of increasingly responsible experience in the field of public relations, communications, marketing, or benefits administration or a related field including experience in public pension plans, Social Security and Medicare.
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public relations, advertising, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist, business administration, or related field.

Responsibilities

Actively pursue opportunities for, and assist in the development of, new policies, procedures and organizational areas with respect to major economic benefits or services for Association members in any areas of insurance protection, retirement, or recreational discounts.
Negotiate with recreational vendors, insurance companies, and group health carriers; conduct effective carrier/broker negotiations and placement of approved member insurance coverage, renewals, investigation/reporting on status of coverage/claims; develop and implement contracts and agreements with vendors and insurance carriers.
Develop marketing and promotions for member benefits and services including member insurance and retirement programs; plan, prepare and issue bulletins, brochures, guides, new publications and other promotional and informational material; develop new publications to improve efficiency and effectiveness for special services, insurance and retirement programs for members.
Plan and prepare annual directory of member benefits; coordinate advertising and directory updates, cover design, page layout and stories.
Design and review all CSEA sponsored insurance plan documents and summary plan descriptions for ERISA compliance.
Establish and maintain Association presence with the Public Employees Retirement System Board and staff; attend meetings.
Represent members and retirees concerns to field staff, legal staff, legislators, health and welfare organizations and appropriate agencies; establish and maintain pro-active external contact with major executives, officials and regulatory representatives.
Generate effective and innovative ideas and creative solutions in developing and maintaining high utilization of member benefit programs and services; develop and provide training programs for members and staff on available Member Benefits programs to increase awareness, participation and utilization.
Plan and conduct workshops for CSEA management, field staff, trustees, school employers and members on insurance, health and welfare benefits and retirement to increase member knowledge and understanding.
Develop agenda items for submission to the Board of Directors for special services, retiree councils, retirement committee, insurance committee, and health care coalitions.
Participate on a variety of boards; attend and participate in professional group meetings.
Coordinate activities of State Insurance and Retirement Committees, the Pre-Retirement Resource Committee and the Retiree Unit; implement their policies; prepare language for conference resolution requests; research retirement resolutions for committee recommendations to conference delegates.
Coordinate retiree unit executive board; carry out mandate of conference delegates to create active statewide retiree program; develop program plan; develop and monitor board's budget; approve expense reports.
Coordinate Health and Welfare Task Force projects related to Field Operations; manage and supervise their implementation and operations.
Participate in research, analyze and recommend health and welfare benefits for collectively bargained plans.
Negotiate with regulatory agencies regarding legislation affecting health and welfare benefits.
Stay abreast of new trends, innovations and current events in health benefits, insurance and retirement, legislation, government codes, laws and regulations pertaining to medical insurance, retirement, pension fund investments, social security and Medicare related programs.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints; resolve complaints regarding discounts, member insurance plans, employee benefit plans, and retirement issues; counsel and assist members and retirees in interpreting PERS and social security laws.
Assume active role in PERS Board elections; participate in strategic planning and implementation of election plans to elect CSEA sponsored candidates to these positions.
Coordinate meeting plans for pre-retirement seminars and retiree unit district meetings statewide; recruit speakers from Board and staff of other public agencies including PERS, Social Security, HICAP, California Congress of Senators, Senior Legislature and others.
Consult with Director, Member Benefits as required on Association Member Benefits matters; keep Director, Member Benefits informed of the overall performance and results for the Association's Member Benefits activities and matters of particular interest and importance.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.