Benefits Specialist

Ada County is seeking a knowledgeable and customer-focused Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team. In this vital role, you will serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries and provide essential support for the day-to-day administration of our employee benefits programs. From processing enrollments and verifying eligibility to leading benefit orientations and supporting open enrollment events, you will play a key role in ensuring our employees understand and make the most of their benefits. If you are detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about helping others navigate complex benefit systems, we invite you to apply and make a difference with Ada County.

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous vacation and sick leave starting on day one
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Participation in one of the nation’s best state retirement systems, with 11.96% employer contribution
• 457(b) deferred compensation plan with up to 3% county match, plus a 401(k)
• Paid parental leave, life insurance, and robust wellness programs
• Ongoing training opportunities and career pathing

Client Support- Consultation and Training

• Advise employees on benefits offerings, advises on eligibility, costs, coverage, and benefit plan provisions;
• Evaluate or initiate qualifying life events and ensure appropriate eligibility for employees and dependents Responsible for responding to and maintaining the Employee Benefits group email inbox and HRIS help desk service requests;
• Assist with developing and presenting benefits programs and offerings during new employee orientation, annual open enrollments, benefit fairs, and other benefit trainings and communications;
• Coordinate and participate in annual open enrollment activities;
• Conduct research to resolve escalated employee benefits issues;
• Provide consultation to employees on retirement and death benefit programs and options;
• Coordinate the completion of retirement program processes and paperwork with State and federal offices as well as retirement providers;
• Assist in the creation and/or review of employee benefits communications, training, materials; and maintaining the benefits pages on our Intranet; 
• Research and recommend ways in which to better educate employees on benefit coverages, options, and procedures;
• Provide insight to the benefits team based on employee experience and feedback; 
• Document and maintain procedures for assigned benefits processes.

• Maintain benefits administration dashboard and benefits reporting within HRIS; 
• Review and approve life events via HRIS and ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments for vendors files;
• Coordinate with vendors to update and correct employee benefit information within the portals; resolve administrative errors and attempts to reconcile issues;
• Update changes as needed within HRIS system, carrier, and vendor administration systems;
• Maintain benefit records and retention schedules;
• Coordinate with internal payroll department to complete bi-weekly payroll and benefit deduction reconciliation; 
• Access to vendor sites and serves as liaison between the organization and third-party benefit providers and vendors.  

• Provides administrative support to Health Care Trust including the processing of vouchers, invoices, developing and posting agendas, taking meeting minutes and clerking meetings;
• Assist with insurance billing audit, reconciliation, and invoice processing.

• Provides administrative support as needed;
• Performs related work as required.

• High school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative support experience in employee benefits or related field; 
• Experience researching and resolving complex benefit issues; interpreting and explaining insurance contract provisions; 
• Experience using an HRIS system, Oracle HCM preferred;
• Experience with various computer software programs such MS Word, Power Point, Excel, Publisher, and Outlook, Zoom, Teams, WebEx as well as database management programs; 
• Experience advising and providing consultation to employees on benefit programs;
• Experience developing and conducting group training;
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations affecting benefit programs including: Section 125, and COBRA, preferred;
• Knowledge of benefits policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state regulations; 
• Skill in organizing, planning, handling multiple tasks and prioritizing;
• Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner for individual and group meetings;
• Ability to interpret and provide guidance relating to benefits coverage, policies, and procedures; 
• Ability to work independently to complete tasks with minimum oversight; 
• Ability to effectively communicate with people in potentially stressful and emotional situations;
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information;
• Ability to communicate effectively with proven verbal and written skills;
• Ability to show initiative, analytical and problem-solving skills, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license;
• Ada County HR staff furnish their own transportation for conducting county business when necessary.