Benefits Manager II

The Agency's mission is to be boldly innovative in improving the health and quality of life for South Carolinians.

This position is located in Human Resources, Richland County. This is an in-office role and not a telecommute or remote position.

We are looking for an Benefits Manager II who, under limited supervision, serves as the Benefits Manager in the Benefits Department of Human Resources. Responsible for New Employee Orientation, counselling new and current employees on State Group Benefits including insurance programs, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Extended Disability and Worker's Compensation for the Department.

• Manages and assists with the FMLA & Accommodations process. Manages/Assists in the creation of the FMLA workbench in SCEIS to ensure eligibility and to ensure that employees are able to key FMLA leave. Manages/Assists in sending FMLA Notice of Eligibility and Designation Notices to employees and supervisors. Assists Benefits staff with advising employees/supervisors of current leave balances against absences to determine potential LWOP and to avoid over payment of wages.
  
  Advise employees of the process of maintaining health insurance coverage during LWOP status. Assists Benefits staff in the completion of FMLA checklist and maintains notes/timeline document for any and all communication that transpires through the FMLA process. Works closely with Time and Leave Manager to ensure that FMLA leave is designated when employees have been approved and to correct leave that needs to be designated as FMLA leave.
  
  Ensures follow up with employees within 15 days of sending FMLA paperwork when required documentation is not received by the due date. Composes accommodation approval and denial letters to employees and supervisors. Collaborates with Human Resources Director, Employee Relations and General Counsel regarding continuation of special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for employees. Facilitates interactive communication with employees and supervisors and work with the Standard Insurance Company and the SC Vocational Rehabilitation to provide reasonable, fair and consistent accommodations to employees.
  
  Responsible for providing FMLA training to employees and supervisors when requested.
• Manages benefits staff and oversees administration of all PEBA benefit programs (health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, death, retirement and supplemental retirement plan). Reviews, analyzes PEBA Insurance monthly reconciliation report. Uses SCEIS and EBS to ensure the proper and timely premiums are deducted with necessary corrections, monitors deductions and coordinates the filing and billing of claims with PEBA Insurance. Run payroll simulations to ensure that employees’ deductions are correct.
  
  Logs SCEIS tickets and coordinates corrections with PEBA Insurance when necessary. Maintains tracking log and monitors working hours of all hourly employees based on Affordable Care Act (ACA) measurement periods to ensure compliance. Prepares initial notifications to hourly new hires and annual standard notifications to on-going hourly employees. Advises employees when they are no longer eligible for active state group benefits based on ACA guidelines.
  
  Reviews all LWOP 114 actions and prepares insurance premium billing notices to employees. Collects and submits payments to PEBA Insurance, keys arrears in SCEIS for payments received and terminates coverages for non-payment. Assists in counseling employees statewide on benefits changes allowed throughout the year and during open/annual enrollment when necessary. Responsible for State Optional Retirement open enrollment; advising employees of their options…