Risk and Benefits Specialist

St. Johns County

3d•Onsite

About The Position

St. Johns County residents enjoy a healthy quality of life with many perks including one of the top rated public school systems in the State of Florida, miles of beach shoreline, peaceful estuary scenery of the St. Johns River, long established agriculture and equestrian scene, and the nation’s oldest city, historic St. Augustine. In 2019 St. Johns County was ranked the 10th fastest growing county in the United States showcasing that there is truly something for everyone in St. Johns County! St. Johns County’s Human Resources Department helps support a high‑performing workforce. Our Benefits and Risk Management team develops partnerships and programs that keep employees healthy, safe, and productive while strengthening the County’s reputation as an employer of choice. The Risk and Benefits Specialist role performs responsible and highly technical work in human resources, risk management, employee benefits, and leave administration. The role supports a wide range of impactful programs; from FMLA, workers’ compensation and liability claims to wellness initiatives, insurance administration, and employee recovery processes—while ensuring accuracy and compliance across multiple systems and regulations. The role serves as a key connection point for employees, supervisors, and external partners, helping to guide complex cases, maintain high‑quality service, and uphold the County’s commitment to safety, well‑being, and operational excellence.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent recognized certification.
Sufficient experience and proven competency in the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position.
A minimum of one year of professional experience in Human Resources and/or Risk Management.
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license and any other endorsements necessary to legally operate vehicles used while assigned to this position.
Must possess good interpersonal and communication skills to serve others.
Must be able to comprehend, speak and write the English language.
Proficient in Microsoft 365.
Knowledge of County policies.
Knowledge of workers’ compensation regulations, principles, practices, and methods.
Knowledge of risk management and benefit assessment principles, strategies, and techniques.
Knowledge of common hazards associated with the occupations within local government.
Knowledge principles, methods, and practices within risk management and human resources.
Knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to risk management and human resources.
Skill in customer service practices.
Skill in the analysis of problems and the development and implementation of solutions.
Skill in the preparation of clear and precise administrative reports.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Experience with public sector HRIS benefits/leave and Workday strongly preferred.
Professional Risk Management or Benefits Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Assists in the implementation and administration of Risk Management programs, employee benefits, leave management, wellness initiatives, insurance programs, and training activities.
Oversees medical recovery processes and provides guidance and support to affected employees and their supervisors.
Coordinates and recommends alternative work assignments and facilitates related training for County employees.
Processes new insurance claims, establishes claim files, records required information, and interprets and applies rules and regulations related to coverage.
Research and prepares reports related to health benefits and risk management, including accident and loss investigations, claim settlement requests, public records responses, and other analyses.
Ensures accurate and timely completion of all Risk and Benefits related third‑party claims, notices of claims, and required reporting.
Serves as a liaison to County employees, insurance carriers, external agencies, attorneys, and the public to ensure clear communication and complete documentation of incidents.
Provides high‑quality customer service to employees, the public, and departmental stakeholders.
Directs, monitors, and reports on employee drug testing for all County employees.
Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Risk & Benefits and third‑party administrators on complex claims to support fiscal decisions and minimize associated costs.
Coordinates employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life/disability insurance, voluntary benefits, EAP, open enrollment, life event changes, wellness programs, FRS, ADA, and updates benefit/leave records in HRIS and ERP systems.
Supports leave management programs, including FSA, HRA, dependent care accounts, voluntary benefits, wellness incentives, driver license checks, and COBRA to ensure accurate enrollment and compliance.
Administers and maintains the County’s FMLA program, ensuring accurate data retention in HRIS and other systems, and provides federally mandated and HIPAA‑compliant communication to leadership and employees.
Administers property, auto, general liability, and other insurance programs, including policy procurement, invoicing, renewals, and issuing certificates of insurance for vendors, contractors, and stakeholders.
Coordinates workers’ compensation claims, including accident and injury reporting, investigations, and follow‑up in compliance with Florida regulations.
Assist citizens with general liability and auto insurance claims related to County operations, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
Utilizes the County’s ERP system to input, track, audit, and maintain accurate data related to benefits, leave, claims, and employee records; troubleshoots system issues and ensures data integrity across modules.
Maintains accurate property and auto schedules for County‑owned assets to ensure proper insurance coverage.
Assesses, researches, and mitigates risks associated with County operations, collaborating with departments to enhance safety and wellness.
Supports communication efforts by creating and posting content on County communication platforms, including websites, emails, newsletters, and employee updates related to benefits, EAP, wellness, and Risk Management.
Ensures compliance with County‑wide requirements and all applicable federal (including HIPAA), state, and local employment laws, regulations, and policies.
Develops, delivers, and coordinates training for employees and supervisors on benefits, leave programs, safety practices, risk management procedures, and related policies.
Demonstrates continuous improvement by streamlining processes, reducing turnaround times, and promoting cooperative, high‑quality customer service.
Maintains a full‑time presence on the job.
Performs other duties as assigned.