County of Alameda

Employee Benefits Technician I (#0265)

Bargaining Unit: Unrep - Confidential Mgmt (U50)
$34.20-$44.27 Hourly / $2,736.00-$3,541.60 BiWeekly /
$5,928.00-$7,673.47 Monthly / $71,136.00-$92,081.60 Yearly

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DESCRIPTION

This classification specification describes the entry level of the Employee Benefits Technician flexibly staffed series. Incumbents of this classification, under close supervision, enroll and provide ongoing assistance to Alameda County employees with benefits that include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, County Allowance (Employer Credit), and other voluntary benefits, Vacation Purchase, Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and other related leave plans, Commuter Benefit Plan; and perform other related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This classification is part of a two-level flexibly staffed Employee Benefits Technician classification series. Incumbents in this position 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 ongoing benefits assistance. The classification of Employee Benefits Technician I is distinguished from the next higher one of Employee Benefits Technician II in that the former classification is the entry-level in the series and, under close supervision, is learning the full scope of the assigned duties and responsibilities.

Employee Benefits Technician I’s are expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency with satisfactory job performance which qualifies them to promote to the higher-level classification after the equivalent of one (1) year of full-time service.

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.

Provides an explanation of comprehensive benefit plans to employees. Benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, County Allowance (Employer Credit), other voluntary benefits, Vacation Purchase, FMLA, and other related leave plans, Commuter Benefit Plan, etc.
Conducts bi-weekly New Employee Orientations.
Discusses and provides forms to employees and follows up within established timeframes to ensure that payroll deductions begin.
Performs calculations related to benefit data, premium rates, refunds, and other related matters.
Processes enrollment forms for various benefit programs by checking for accuracy and completeness, verifying employee and dependent eligibility, and transmitting forms to appropriate departments, agencies, or plan administrators.
Inputs, verifies and retrieves employee benefit-related data from the Human Resources Management System (HRMS).
Researches and resolves problems related to employees’ benefit coverage; discusses and resolves benefit-related problems with employees, benefit carriers, and plan administrators; acts as a liaison in the filing and resolution of employee benefit claims.
Assists employees in processing Job and Family Status Changes; resolves and communicates benefit deduction issues, including the start and end date of coverage.
Monitors/reconciles numerous benefit-related reports and the reconciliation of benefit and/or payroll deduction impact reports.
Communicates and processes annual Open Enrollment changes within a specified timeframe.
Documents all employee calls using an online call tracking tool in a small call center environment; and documents issues received via e-mail, fax, mail, QIC (interoffice mail), or walk-in.
Responds to benefit-related inquiries from employees, departmental managers, benefit carriers, and plan administrators.
Advises separating employees regarding benefit-related options.
Establishes and maintains effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of six (6) months experience as an Eligibility Services Technician III or two (2) years of full-time experience as a Retirement Technician or Health Insurance Technician in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

Experience:

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time experience processing and explaining employee health and welfare-related benefits in a public or private organization that administers benefit programs.

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 Human Resources Information System (HRIS) computer application software.
Business mathematics.

Ability to:

Perform detailed work accurately within established timeframes.
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.
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

RE:saa Revised 03/17/2023

CSC Date:04/19/2023

SA:saa Revised 07/13/2023

CSC Date:10/18/2023

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

12 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.