Level 2 Underwriter

About Pacific Blue Cross

Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) has been British Columbia's leading benefits provider for over 80 years. We are an independent, not‑for‑profit society with strong roots in BC’s health care system. We provide health, dental, life, disability, and travel coverage to 1 in 3 British Columbians through employee group plans and individual plans.

• Work‑life balance with flexible working hours of 7 hours per day, Monday to Friday (i.e., 35 hours per week).
• Paid vacation starts at 3 weeks per year, and increases with years of service.
• Hybrid work environment (i.e., a combination of work from office and work from home days).
• Generous benefits, including extended health, dental, and life insurance; these benefit premiums are 100% paid by PBC.
• Company pension contributions after 1 year of service.
• Education allowance up to $1,000 per calendar year.
• On‑site gym, cafeteria, and access to virtual doctors and counsellors 24/7 via our Employee Family Assistance Program.

• We are searching for one permanent Level 2 Underwriter to join our Underwriting team.
• This position is unionized and part of the CUPE 1816 Bargaining Unit.
• This position is paid at hourly rates and receives wage increases in accordance with the Collective Agreement.
• The wage for this position is $5,882 per month to start (equivalent to $70,584 per year) and then progressing up to $6,833 per month.

Under the broad managerial direction of the Assistant Manager, Underwriting, the Level 2 Underwriter reviews new business opportunities, renewal requests and contract amendments for potential and existing brokerage and major clients who fit within established Level 2 parameters for group, premium size, and underwriting method such as fully insured, Administrative Services Only and refund accounting. The role assesses eligibility and risk based on multiple underwriting considerations, identifies declines, calculates rates and prepares proposal and renewal package documentation, participates in inter‑departmental quote rate review processes, reviews New Group Set Up packages, prepares customized reports for brokerage and major clients, and identifies underwriting options for containing client costs.

The Underwriter pursues creative solutions that balance client needs against PBC’s ability to deliver on commitments and contributes to process improvement and tool enhancement.

• Review new business opportunities, potential brokerage, and major account clients that fit within established Level 2 parameters for group, premium size, and underwriting method such as fully insured, Administrative Services Only in arrear and budgeted and refund accounting.
• Analyze Requests to Quote to assess eligibility and degree of risk, including reviewing industry type, years in business, existing benefits, family content, occupations to be covered, dates of hire, location, salary levels, participation, age distribution, benefit levels, classing criteria, non‑standard ownership, collective agreement impacts if in a unionized environment, and other risk factors.
• Identify factors which result in a decline of opportunities to quote.
• Assess incumbent carrier experience and adjust premiums and claims when necessary.
• Calculate rates for benefits based on results of analysis using department tools and determine applicable charges.
• Conduct peer reviews for quotes within established authority limits.
• Submit quotes for review, advise, and approval to Blue Cross Life in accordance with established parameters.
• Consult with Group Business to explore alterations in plan design to accommodate group situations while still remaining competitive.
• Participate in inter‑departmental quote rate review process for new business opportunities involving large complex groups and high‑risk impacts.
• Respond to general inquiries related to PBC guidelines, questionnaires, benefits inquiries, etc.
• Generate and distribute the final proposal document to Group Business, according to established service level objectives or deadlines requested by client, broker, or Group Business.
• Attend case‑related internal…