Public Service Coordinator I -Human Resources Specialist

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

9h•$48,942 - $69,160

About The Position

This is paraprofessional support work in performing a broad range of employee benefits administrative functions for State of Maine employees, former employees, dependents, surviving spouses and retirees. This position also provides benefit and billing information to various State agencies, ancillaries, and vendors. Knowledge and interpretation of health, dental, vision programs, Health Credit Program and various other programs administered by the Office of Employee Health & Wellness. Responsible for determining appropriate benefits for active State of Maine employees and retirees. Responsibilities include making daily determinations to ensure compliance with state and federal laws regarding benefit enrollment, eligibility, terminations, and processing of COBRA. Daily communications with the employees, retirees, insurance vendors and agencies. Required to ensure correct deductions are taken from payroll as well as reconciliation of accounts. Required to work closely with the State’s new HRMS system in obtaining knowledge of maintaining the system, implementing (process) improvements, ensuring data quality, analyzing and reporting data, and training other staff members on the HRMS system. Work is performed under limited supervision, in a fast-paced work environment.

Requirements

Knowledge of Excel, Word, and Computer payroll, understanding of Insurance and benefits coverage and claims, superior customer service, and ability to convey complex information to employees and retirees.
Experience in Human Resource Management Systems. Workday experience would be particularly helpful.
Knowledge of accounting and payroll systems
Knowledge of all associated benefit programs
Knowledge of insurance language and definitions.
Knowledge of State of Maine Statues relating to active employees and retiree benefits.
Knowledge of Family Medical Leave and all other leave types and how they affect benefit and premium payments.
Knowledge of COBRA law and regulations.
Broad based knowledge of Medicare rules pertaining to enrollment in Parts A, B, C and D.
Knowledge of Microsoft operations and other applicable programs.
Knowledge of division policies and procedures.
Knowledge of IRS rules pertaining to qualifying life events, domestic partner and 1095C forms.
Ability to maintain and use databases for tracking purposes.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, orally and in writing.
Ability to research and independently come to conclusions to make accurate decisions.
Ability to plan, set and administer individual goals and objectives.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency personnel and outside vendors.
Ability to demonstrate superior customer service.
Ability to verify, code, compute and reconcile data.
Ability to work collaboratively and be a team player
Ability to write reports and maintain records
Ability to be flexible and adjust to business needs while balancing multiple tasks and priorities.
Ability to work with confidential and sensitive materials.
Education, training, and/or experience that provides solid knowledge of Human Resources, Benefits and policy administration functions.
Strong customer service skills

Nice To Haves

Workday experience would be particularly helpful.

Responsibilities

Ensures state and federal compliance for benefit administration for active employees, retirees, dependents, agencies, and ancillaries relating to health, dental, vision.
Serves as a technical liaison for employees, retirees, dependents, agencies, and ancillaries on matters relating to eligibility, claims and billing issues.
Research complex issues, composes correspondence regarding eligibility, coverage, termination of policies, premium cost and responds to court orders.
Communicates daily by phone and email with active employees, retirees, agencies, ancillaries, and insurance vendors.
Interprets, explains, and applies provisions of applicable laws, regulations and policies relating to active employees, retirees, and dependents.
Conducts interviews with new, existing, separating and/or retiring employees to determine qualifications for benefits eligibility and processes the required paperwork.
Performs and administers daily transactions relating to enrollment applications, for new hires and qualifying life events of current employees, which includes reviewing applications for accuracy, follow up with employees for required documents, coding applications, file submissions.
Enters and coordinates payroll deductions for health, dental, vision programs with agency personnel and payroll staff.
Reconciles monthly billing to ensure premiums are correct and deducted properly.
Enters and processes COBRA requirements.
Trains staff on new processes and reviewing current processes for improvement.

Benefits

Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 18.91% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.