Personnel Assistant I​/II

This position announcement will be used to fill full-time, permanent Personnel Assistant I/II - Benefits vacancies within the Health Benefits Unit of the Office of Personnel with Anne Arundel County Government.

This is full-time paraprofessional work in the Health Benefits Unit of the Office of Personnel. Employees in this class are responsible for initiating, processing, reviewing, and resolving personnel matters directly affecting employee and retiree benefits. An employee in this class applies and interprets county law, rules, regulations, and bargaining unit agreements, and maintains strict confidentiality. A Personnel Assistant II is differentiated from Personnel Assistant I in the complexity of work and the considerable responsibility associated with the application and interpretation of various types of documents/references, policies and procedures, bargaining unit agreements, and federal, state, and county laws and regulations.

The work of the Personnel Assistant II has significant responsibility for benefits eligibility interpretation and has a higher level of personal contact with various County department staff, individuals from other private and public organizations, as well as employees and retirees to resolve or provide more complex information or present solutions to administrative concerns.

Work may involve responsibility for receiving, reviewing, and entering personnel actions and information updates into an automated Human Resource Information System (HRIS); explaining and calculating benefit information; and communicating information to employees, retirees, beneficiaries, and departmental representatives. Work is performed in accordance with established personnel procedures that employees must know, understand and communicate to employees and the public. An immediate supervisor gives instructions in situations and matters that deviate from current practices, policies and procedures.

Work performance is evaluated periodically for completion of work products and accuracy of computerized information. Personnel Assistant I is differentiated from Personnel Assistant II by the guidance received in performing assignments, supervision exercised in reviewing completed work, the complexity of assignments, the degree of independent judgment, research, and interpretation required in the work performed. Work is sedentary in nature, is performed in an office environment using a personal computer, and it requires the ability to learn an automated human resources information system.

Work includes responsibility for receiving, reviewing, and entering personnel actions and information updates into an automated Human Resource Information System (HRIS); explaining and calculating benefit information; and communicating information to employees, retirees, beneficiaries, and departmental representatives. Work in accordance with established personnel procedures that the employee must know, understand, interpret, and communicate to employees and the public. An immediate supervisor gives instructions in situations and matters that deviate from the current practices, policies, and procedures.

Answers questions from employees and retirees relating to employee/retiree benefits, options, and policies. Enrolls new employees in various benefit plans and processes benefit forms to effect changes within the required timeframe. Data enters enrollment information and benefit deductions on the vendor database and HRIS system. Tracks payment information for privatized agencies on a monthly basis. Researches benefit enrollment issues and resolves problems directly with the vendor.

Reviews and tracks insurance enrollment for new retirees, retiree changes, and new Medicare participants and enters data into the HRIS system to reflect retiree benefit elections. Provide Benefits presentation at New Hire Orientation and for Pre-Retirement benefit planning seminars on a rotating basis. Prepares life insurance claim forms and correspondence to beneficiaries. Maintains confidentiality of employee/retiree records and files all benefits-related documentation.

Process payroll adjustments and Child Support Orders (QMSCO) and track employees on Active Military leave. Assists with the coordination of annual open enrollment period and other special projects and audits as assigned.(

Note:

The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential functions of all positions in the class.)

Coordinates recruitment programs to include but is not limited to testing for all designated vacancies, position advertisement, and vacancy reporting statistics.

Explains employee benefits related to health, dental, and optical insurance; enrolls new employees and processes forms to effect changes; and…