Benefits Administrator
Job Location:
Asheville, NC - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Key responsibilities include administering benefit enrollments and qualifying life events coordinating annual Open Enrollment managing vendor relationships monitoring compliance with applicable federal and state regulations reconciling benefit billing and identifying opportunities to improve processes and enhance the employee experience. The Benefits Administrator partners with a variety of benefit providers including Empower (formerly Prudential) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees Retirement System (LGERS) MyGroup Delta Dental Ameritas Vision USI Insurance Services Southeastern Physical Therapy and other vendor partners.
About Our HR Team
Our Human Resources Department currently consists of 24 professionals across six functional areas:
Organizational Development
Recruiting & Staffing
HRIS
Employee Relations
Family Health Clinic
Compensation Classification & Benefits
Together we support strategic workforce initiatives including compensation classification benefits talent development succession planning employee engagement performance management and organizational effectiveness. Guided by our core values of Respect Integrity Collaboration Honesty and Equity we are committed to providing exceptional service and creating a workplace where employees can thrive.
Work Location & Schedule
This position is based at 200 College Street in downtown Asheville North Carolina with County-paid parking provided. The selected candidate must reside or be willing to relocate within a two-hour driving distance of Asheville. An initial in-office training period is required. Following successful completion of training a hybrid work schedule may be available based on operational needs and departmental approval.
Hiring Timeline
We anticipate conducting interviews in July and August with the goal of having the selected candidate begin employment in early to mid-September.
If you are passionate about delivering exceptional employee service building strong partnerships and administering comprehensive benefits programs that make a meaningful difference we encourage you to apply and join the Buncombe County Human Resources team.
Purpose of the position:
To performresponsible professional and administrative work in the development implementation administration and communication of employee benefit programs for County employees. Work includes administration of health and welfare benefits retirement programs leave administration compliance reporting employee communications vendor relations and benefits-related data analysis. The employee serves as a subject matter expertregardingemployee benefits and ensures compliance with applicable federal state and local laws and regulations. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Compensation & Benefits Manager.
Minimum Education Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):
Bachelors degree in Human Resources Public Administration Business Administration or a related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration including at least two (2) years of experience in benefits design strategy and/or program management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.Human resources experience in localgovernmentor the public sector is preferred.
Additional Training and Experience:Certification such as SHRM-CP SHRM-SCP PHR SPHR or CEBS preferred.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:None
Essential Functions of the position:
Administersemployee benefit programs including medical dental vision life insurance disability insurance flexible spending accounts health savings accounts wellness programs and voluntary benefits.
Serves as liaison between the County and benefit vendors brokers third-party administrators and retirement agencies.
Assistsin evaluating and implementing benefit programs and wellness initiatives.
Monitors vendor performance andassistswith contract administration and renewals.
Processes employee benefit enrollments changes terminations and qualifying life events in the HRIS and carrier systems.
Conducts benefit orientations for new employees and educates employeesregardingavailable benefit programs.
Coordinates and administers the annual open enrollment process including employee communications system configuration vendor coordination and employee meetings.
Reviews and reconciles benefit invoices and payroll deductions to ensure accuracy.
Serves as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries and resolves complex benefit issues.
Create and configure all benefit plans rates eligibilityparametersand passive events within theHCMsystem.Create reports based on available benefit data.Work closely with theHCMITSupport Team for bi-annual update testing and tenant changes.
Administers participation in the North Carolina Retirement Systems (LGERS and TSERS as applicable).Assistsemployees with supplemental retirement plans including 401(k)and457programs.
Coordinates COBRA administration andmonitorsqualifying events.
Assists with ACA eligibility tracking and annual reporting requirements including Forms 1094-C and 1095-C.
Maintains confidential employee recordsin accordance withHIPAA and other privacy requirements.
Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the Countys benefits package.
In collaboration with Employee & Family Healthdevelop and implementoutcomes-basedprogramsdesigned to reduce employee health care costs andmaximizereturnon investment.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of employee benefit programs and administration practices.
Knowledgeof applicable federal and state employment laws and regulationsaffecting employee benefits programs including the ACA ERISA COBRA FMLA ADA401k and 457 plans Medicare Social Security and DOL requirements.
Ability to analyze and interpret laws regulations policies and plan documents.
Ability to communicate complex benefits information clearly and effectively.
Ability tomaintainconfidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Proficiencyin HRIS benefits administration systems Microsoft Office applications and spreadsheet analysis.
Strong analyticalproblem-solvingand decision-making skills with thorough knowledge of benefit plan design and administration. Ability to evaluate complex information including Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and make sound recommendations. Exceptional attention to detail.
Skilled in developing and implementing short- and long-range plans conceptual designs and budget requirements for assigned areas ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and operational needs.
Ability to exercise sound andtimelyjudgment andmaintainconfidentiality of sensitive information.
Excellent verbal written and interpersonal communication skills. Skilled in public presentations.
Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture one that fully engages all of our employees honoring and building on each employees unique experiences opinions and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race natural hair or hairstyles ethnicity creed color sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin or ancestry marital or familial status pregnancy veteran status religious belief or non-belief age or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment hiring assignment promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected addition the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
