OPENS: 09/17/2024
CLOSES: Until Filled
REPORTS TO: Chief of Human Resources 
DEPT. / SCHOOL:  Human Resources Department/ Central office 

JOB TITLE: HR Benefits Specialist

WAGE / HOUR STATUS: Exempt/Full Time

MONTHS: 12 

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The HR Benefits Specialist assists in the planning, coordinating, and managing of comprehensive benefit systems for all employees of the district and other human resources-related functions.  This job requires considerable discretion, professionalism, initiative, accuracy, attention to detail, organizational skills, ability to multitask within strict timelines, and effective communication skills.    

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree with focus in human resources (preferably) or a minimum of 60 college credit hours supplemented by experience and documented specialized training in benefits management, or a related field.

Language Skills:
o Bilingual (English/Spanish fluency) preferred. 
o Able to communicate with faculty, staff, and administrators in a courteous and professional manner

Experience:

• Two years’ experience in benefits administration, insurance administration, or other related field, preferably in a public education environment

Special Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• Knowledge of administration of employee benefits or related programs
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to interpret and disseminate insurance and benefits information to individuals and groups
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of data collection, analysis, and basic math skills
• Proficiency in keyboarding and file maintenance
• Create documents, spreadsheets and reports utilizing word processing/computer skills
• Knowledge of education code, federal and state laws, labor laws, codes, regulations, and requirements pertaining to areas of assigned responsibility a plus

Ability to:

• Multitask in a timeline-driven environment
• Ability to travel to other Bob Hope School campuses in Port Arthur, Beaumont, Baytown, and future locations.
• Work effectively and efficiently under pressure with constant interruptions
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and exercise sound judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Work independently in the absence of supervision
• Maintain a professional environment within the office and district
• Stay abreast of changes with employees, insurance contracts, state and federal laws, or other factors that may impact this function

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Benefits Administration

1. Handle the employee benefit programs for group health insurance, supplemental insurance, and additional benefits.  
2. Conduct benefits orientation meetings and enrollment of new employees in benefit plans including ZOOM or similar platforms.
3. Coordinate annual open enrollment process, including making group presentations, various insurance representative group presentations, preparing, distributing, and receiving materials and forms.
4. Prepare, record, and distribute various types of correspondence, forms, emails, memorandums, and letters.
5. Process all new employee benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations within required time limits to meet deadlines.
6. Create and initiate individual and blast emails to staff for notifications, reminders, health benefit information, etc. via email and through the district’s insurance portal.
7. Secure and maintain all physical and computerized health insurance records and required data entry.
8. Responsible for handling all claims relating to Disability Insurance, Texas Mutual Workers’ Compensation, Texas Unemployment Insurance, ADA, and FMLA, and others.
9. Serve as a point of contact for employees and supervisors regarding benefits, leaves of absence and related processes, and all employment verifications.
10. Respond to verifications (e.g., Texas Workforce Commission, unemployment, Texas Mutual Workers’ Compensation, wage verifications, etc.), requests and general inquiries for information regarding benefits and payroll.
11. Identify and resolve day-to-day issues related to employee benefits and general payroll requests within the parameters defined by established school policy and guidelines.
12. Respond to and assist in resolving difficult and sensitive requests.
13. Handle employee benefit and insurance inquiries, issues, and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, and courteous resolution. Act as liaison between employees and insurance carrier’s claims office and resolve administrative problems with insurance carrier representatives.
14. Serve as liaison between employees, retirees, and insurance companies; provide assistance to employees on general insurance benefits; work closely with insurance companies concerning payments and coverage; work with accounting department for reconciliation.
15. Handle collections for insurance benefits through normal payrolls or manual processes, including employees on leave of absences.
16. Provide support for the HR staff.
17. Maintain confidential employee insurance records and files.
18. Maintain confidentiality of information.
19. Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Equipment Used:

Computer with appropriate software, printer, calculator, copier, facsimile machine, and shredder.

Mental Demands:

Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); receive directives as assigned; meet established deadlines; maintain accurate and auditable records; ability to attend to detail; maintain emotional control under stress.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Work with frequent interruptions.
2. Frequent standing, walking, sitting, stooping, bending, twisting, kneeling, pushing, pulling, minor lifting, and reaching for extended periods of time.
3. Repetitive hand motions.
4. Manual dexterity to operate a telephone and enter data into a computer using both hands.
5. Prolonged use of computer.
6. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours/work schedule.
7. Occasional travel required.

This job description has been reviewed to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the District reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the District may deem appropriate. 

ABOUT BOB HOPE SCHOOL 
Bob Hope School is a growing open-enrollment public charter school (non-profit) providing parents a choice in their child's education. Bob Hope Elementary is a Montessori / Dual-Language campus. Instruction is conducted in a two-way immersion program, where teachers fluent in English teach ELA and those fluent in Spanish teach SLA and are supported by teacher aides with a strong command of both languages. Campuses are located in Port Arthur, Beaumont, and Baytown, Texas. The Hughen Center, Inc. is the charter holder of Bob Hope School.

Bob Hope School provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.