Benefits Technician

Location: Teacher Administrative Center 3215 Cuming Street Omaha NE 68131-2024

Reports to: Talent Services Benefits Administrator

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: 12 Month / Full-time

Salary Schedule:Salary gradeS26/ is a non-negotiated Technician 4 position. Starting at $81579.08 per year.

Position Purpose:

Under the direction of the Benefits Administrator maintain reconcile and audit employee enrollment in the school districts health and welfare plans Plan 125 flexible spending accounts vision and short-term disability. Administer health and dental benefits for all school district employees. Respond to and resolve employee inquiries concerning health dental and flexible spending account benefits collaborating with the employee and vendor representative as well as following school district policies. Perform specialized benefit-related analyses and audits. Demonstrate knowledge of COBRA HIPAA Medicare and Medicaid.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefits enrollment process for health and dental plans including assisting employees with their online benefits elections.
• Create audit and transmit weekly files to benefit providers. Work closely with OPS Application Support and outside vendors to resolve any issues with the transmission of the files.
• Support the implementation of a new ERP system.
• Communicate as needed with vendor to resolve any employee enrollment and/or billing issues for health and dental plans.
• Reconcile monthly health and dental billing and submit a request for premium payment to the Accounting & Finance Office.
• Responsible to enroll and audit all district employees for FSA accounts.
• Work closely with the flexible spending administrative representative on behalf of all district employees to resolve any enrollment and/or billing issues for all flexible spending accounts.
• Review monthly flexible spending billing and submit a request for premium payment to Accounting & Finance Office.
• Work closely with the COBRA Administrative representative to resolve any issues with the weekly transmittal file.
• Assist employees with their questions about benefit eligibility coverage and premium costs based on negotiated agreements and board policies.
• Monitor and reconcile employee benefit deductions and bill employees as needed.
• Perform specialized payroll/benefit-related analyses (CMS Medicare Match) and audits. Assist with the resolution of benefit issues.
• Maintain compliance with Plan 125 COBRA HIPAA regulations as well as federal and state labor laws.
• Audit benefit enrollment data to ensure efficient system processing. This includes working with vendor to review and resolve any data discrepancies for district employees health & dental enrollments.
• Compile ongoing record-keeping to enter one-time benefit deductions during the various on-cycle payroll process. Verify the accuracy of one-time entries after the payroll calculation process has been generated.
• Complete annual health and dental sub-group applications for the Districts thirteen negotiated agreement groups.
• Submit requests to health and dental vendor to initiate communication to eligible retirees.
• Assist in special project testing such as application testing and procedures.
• Assist in completing employment verification forms received from outside sources regarding an employees benefits enrollment and associated premium costs.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment: This position requires the ability to use basic office equipment such as computers copiers scanners and EDI. Must always comply with OPSs guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Travel within the District may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization time management communication and interpersonal skills.
• Work in an office environment school buildings and warehouse setting.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors.
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day-to-day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly professional manner and provide quick responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employees supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum one year of related benefit or payroll experience required.
• Provide professional customer experience to all district employees.
• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the team.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Basic payroll/accounting knowledge
• Good math skills
• Proficiency in MS Excel and Word
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with computers and office equipment
• Ability to keep customer information confidential.
• Ability to communicate interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
• Read and understand rules policies and instructions relative to the specific benefit packages for this position.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a full-time exempt classified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

• Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses certificates and other requirements for the position (e.g. Paraprofessionals obtaining Highly Qualified status etc.) as identified and maintaining all licenses certificates and requirements for your position throughout employment.
• A background check which demonstrates to OPS that background is acceptable for the position.
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination to determine ability to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.
  

Omaha public schools does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin religion sex (including pregnancy) marital status sexual orientation disability age genetic information gender identity gender expression citizenship status veteran status political affiliation or economic status in its programs activities employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity 3215 Cuming Street Omaha NE 68131. )

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services programs activities education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the Talent Services department at .

Required Experience:

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