HR Benefits Specialist

County of Dodge
Dodge County Administrative Building
127 E Oak Street
Juneau, WI 53039, USA

Do you excel at Excel?
Are you a proactive problem solver with a passion for helping employees navigate benefits?
We're seeking a Benefits Specialist with strong analytical abilities, and a talent for identifying root causes. In this role, you'll take initiative to streamline processes, resolve employee benefit issues, and provide data analysis. Your ability to work independently while collaborating across teams will make a direct impact on employees! Join a team that values teamwork, integrity, and forward-thinking!

Dodge County offers a generous benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) – available for use after 30 days of employment
• 10 observed paid holidays
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – with employer contributions - HRA
• Life insurance, Long-term disability, short-term disability and Flex spending
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) – an exceptional pension plan with employer match (upon vesting) and lifetime retirement payment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides leadership in attracting, retaining, and developing an engaged workforce in the delivery of superior services to County residents and families.
• Serves as the first point of contact for current and past employees, supervisors, department heads, and benefit vendors for all fringe benefits matters.
• Assists new and existing employees with enrolling and managing their benefits, provides benefit orientation, and manages employee benefit files.
• Provides assistance on benefit-related policies, procedures, legislation, and plan documents.
• Processes status changes and open enrollment benefit plan transfers. Ensures timely submission of all insurance and benefit documents for enrollments, changes, and terminations.
• Provides vendors appropriate documentation for life, pension, and disability benefits claims.
• Assists in preparing materials and presenting benefit plan changes to employees.
• Updates and maintains HRIS database with benefit and related payroll changes.
• Compiles necessary periodic Wisconsin Retirement Fund and other fringe benefit reports.
• Ensures the County’s compliance with all Affordable Care Act requirements and reporting.
• Complies, reconciles, and ensures timely submission of all monthly insurance billings.
• Responds to inquiries from Wisconsin Retirement Fund, Social Security, insurance representatives, unemployment office, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance agencies and assists with unemployment claims.
• Responds to all insurance and benefits coverage and prepares related correspondence.
• Coordinates benefit administrator presentations, meetings, and health fairs.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED JOB COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, and policies/procedures concerning employee benefit programs, Worker's Compensation, Wisconsin retirement, Unemployment Insurance, ACA and COBRA.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of public personnel administration and human resources management.
• Knowledge of Human Resources techniques utilized in employee relations, discipline, recruitment, job classification, job analysis, record-keeping, labor relations, and training.
• Knowledge of application and interpretation of Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, ordinances, and legal precedents governing human resources administration, labor relations, and civil rights.
• Knowledge of the County’s and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to develop department goals and objectives.
• Ability to assist in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating projects and programs.
• Abil…