County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

This series specification describes the two Employee Benefits Technician classes which, under close supervision at the lower level and under direction at the higher level, enroll and provide on-going assistance to Alameda County employees with benefits that include Health and Dental Plans, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, FMLA and other related leave plans, Savings Bonds, Commuter Benefit Plan; and perform other related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

Positions in this flexibly staffed class series are located in the Employee Benefits Center of the Human Resource Services Department.  Responsibilities encompass a variety of activities, such as providing benefits orientation and on-going benefits assistance.  This class series is distinguished from the Employee Benefits Specialist in that the latter handles the more complex benefits administration duties and functions as a lead in the center.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TECHNICIAN I  

Employee Benefits Technician I is the entry-level class.  Incumbents work under close supervision and may be assigned all duties.   After the equivalent of one-year full-time service, incumbents hired at the first level may be promoted to the II level if satisfactory job performance is demonstrated.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.  

1. Provides explanation of comprehensive benefit plans to employees. Benefits include but are not limited to Health and Dental, Vision, Management packages, FMLA and other related leave plans, Vacation Purchase/Sellback, Savings Bonds, Life Insurance plans, Disability Plans, SDI, Deferred Compensation, etc.
2. Conducts New Employee Orientations.  Discusses and provides forms to employees and follows-up within established timeframes to ensure that payroll deductions begin.
3. Processes enrollment forms for various benefit programs by checking for accuracy and completeness, verifying employee eligibility, and transmitting forms to appropriate departments, agencies, or plan administrators.
4. Inputs, verifies and retrieves employee benefit related data from the HRMS computer system.
5. Performs calculations related to benefit data, premium rates, refunds, and related benefit matters.
6. Researches and resolves problems related to employees’ benefit coverage; discusses and resolves problems with employees, employee benefit carriers and program administrators.
7. Assists employees in processing Status Changes; resolves and communicates benefit deduction issues including the start and end date of coverage, acts as a liaison in the filing and resolution of employee benefit claims.
8. Monitors/reconciles numerous benefit-related reports (including the validation of the Management Cafeteria allocation report for M-designated employees, and the reconciliation of benefit and/or payroll deduction impact reports).
9. Communicates and processes annual Open Enrollment changes within a specified timeframe.
10. Documents all employee calls using an on-line call tracking tool in a small call center environment; and documents issues received via e-mail, fax, mail, QIC or walk-in.
11. Responds to benefit related inquiries from employees, departmental managers, benefit carriers and administrators.
12. Advises separating employees regarding benefit related options.
13. Establishes and maintains effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
14. Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TECHNICIAN I  

EITHER I

Experience:  

The equivalent of one-year full-time experience as a Retirement Specialist II or a Specialist Clerk II in the Alameda County Employee Benefits Center with experience processing and explaining employee health related benefits in the Alameda County classified service.

Completion of the Alameda County Management Academy “Management & Supervision Certificate Program” may substitute for six (6) months of required qualifying experience.  

OR II  

The equivalent of two (2) years full-time experience processing and explaining employee health related benefits in a benefits program or department of a private or public organization.

 

NOTE:    The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE:    The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Laws, regulations and procedures related to employee benefit programs.
• General employee benefits administration.
• General employee payroll processing.
• Current trends in employee benefit rules, regulations and practices.
• Principles and practices of effective and efficient customer service.
• Computer software applications including HRIS computer application software.
• Business mathematics.  

Ability to:

• Reconcile reports in a timely manner.
• Follow and interpret administrative guidelines and procedures related to employee benefit programs.
• Gather and evaluate relevant information in researching and resolving benefit-related issues.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County department personnel, co-workers, employees and the general public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside vendors.
• Perform detailed work accurately within established timeframe.
• Explain and apply regulations, policies and procedures of various employee benefits.
• Review documents for completeness, accuracy, appropriate authorization and compliance.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Work with and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Create and conduct effective oral presentations.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee benefit records and reports.
• Perform various mathematical computations, using a calculator, related to rates, premiums, refunds, deductions, and contributions.
• Maintain information system database through accurate input of data.
• Use and/or design spreadsheet applications to automate work processes.
• Function proficiently in an automated office environment.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

RE:bl  4/26/02

New doc:  0265-0266.doc

CSC Date:  5/8/02

SA:sw Revised  8/7/03

CSC Date: 10/29/03

JS:cs Revised 09/11/09

CSC Date:  10/7/09

RS:cs  Revised/Retitled  9/24/13

Old Title:  Employee Services Technician I/II

CSC Date: 10/02/2013

MH:sa Revised 06/17/2020

CSC Date: 07/01/2020

 

 

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.