BENEFITS MANAGER, Human Resources

• Directs the daily activities of the Benefits Division in the Human Resources Department (HR).
• Directs and managers the County's employee and retiree benefit programs including healthcare benefits, life and disability insurance, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness program, and retirement benefits with the Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS) and 457(b) Plans (deferred compensation).
• Assists the Assistant HR Director with strategic planning to ensure the maintenance of a competitive benefits package.
• Oversees the HR functions in the Payroll and Benefits Service Center (PBSC), partnering with the Payroll Manager (Auditor's Office) to ensure quality customer service and proficient data maintenance processes.

• Provides leadership and training to the PBSC Staff.
• Provides internal consulting and training and subject matter expertise to HR and Payroll team members in the PBSC and IT Core Competency Center regarding benefits related issues and enrollment processes.
• Stays informed of employee benefit-related laws, regulations, and trends. Performs research and analysis related to benefit plans, plan maintenance and improvement and health benefit procedures, as needed.
• Monitors and coordinates the exchange of information between the County and the Public Employee Benefits Cooperative (PEBC) including enrollment and eligibility information, benefits plan updates, and communications.
• Assists employees, retirees, and their family members with benefit-related matters including researching and resolving claims or service issues, facilitating employee appeals, and handling special requests.
• Supervises the activities surrounding the County's retirement (TCDRS) and deferred compensation program including conducting annual retirement seminars and participating in various educational and training events regarding the TCDRS benefit and deferred compensation program.
• Assists current and former employees with retirement benefits. Explains options and counsels employees on pay out provisions. Oversees new enrollments, changes, retirements, deferred compensation distribution requests, and pay off requests as needed.
• Coordinates the County's EAP program including counseling employees needing assistance with personal and work-related problems from EAP, assisting supervisors with management referrals, and scheduling EAP services Countywide.
• Supervises the generation of electronic interface files containing benefits data and financial reporting information to ensure timely and accurate transmission of those records to the PEBC and TCDRS.
• Monitors activities surrounding Form W-2 reporting of Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage and annual reporting on 1095-C forms (employee documents) and 1094-C transmittals (IRS reporting) as mandated by the Affordable Care Act, ensuring compliance with program regulations.
• Develops and disseminates correspondence related to benefits including the PEBC programs, EAP, and retirement and deferred compensation plans. Prepares court communications; enrollment correspondence; and letters and memos to vendors, providers, departments, employees, and retirees.
• Effectively manages relationships with third parties and vendors to ensure that agreed upon service levels are met and any issues are promptly addressed. Reviews benefit contracts for accuracy and monitors contracts to ensure compliance with negotiated terms and conditions.
• Coordinates the County's annual enrollment activities with PEBC. Works directly with PEBC to ensure that all plan changes, eligibility processes, and communication materials are updated properly and distributed accurately and timely to employees and retirees.
• Ensures that all internal County processes are appropriately addressed during annual enrollment including scheduling annual budget meetings to review plan analysis reports and PEBC accrual information, preparing Court documents to establish funding rates, and facilitating configuration changes (plan updates and rate changes) in SAP.
• Conducts Countywide meetings as needed to present benefit plan changes, introduce new programs, or train employees on processes.
• Maintains all insurance contracts, files, and benefit plan documents. Ensures that all contracts and agreements are carefully reviewed for legal compliance and are fully executed with copies provided appropriately to vendors, HR files, and the County Clerk's Office.
• Counsels employees, family members, and supervisors on benefit programs related to death and disability.
• Monitors and reviews death and disability claim activity and informs the Assistant HR Director of any unusual and sensitive cases.
• Maintains and organizes file records containing Protected Health Information (HIPAA) in compliance with legal requirements.
• Assists the HIPAA Privacy and Security Officers with monitoring activities surrounding the County's HIPAA Privacy and Security policies and conducts HIPAA training sessions as needed regarding the privacy and security of Protected Health Information (PHI) under the PEBC programs.
• Keeps the Assistant HR Director advised of all unusual or potential areas of concern.
• Recommends direction for improvement in processes and change for competitive cost-effective benefits.
• Performs supervisory duties.
• Performs all other related duties as required.

Tarrant County, TX