Job Information
Cedar Rapids Community School District Lead Benefits Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Lead Benefits Specialist JobID: 12594
Position Type:
Specialist/Supervisor/Technician/ Specialist
Date Posted:
4/24/2024
Location:
ELSC
Date Available:
ASAP
LEAD BENEFITS SPECIALIST
Cedar Rapids Community School District is seeking an experienced Benefits Specialist to carry out the administration and support for all health and welfare benefit programs offered to our employees and retirees.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Oversee daily benefit plan administration of medical, dental, vision, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, long-term disability, life insurance, and the 403(b) savings plans while providing excellent customer service to all customers
Ensure compliance with government regulations and programs such as IRS Section 125 pre-tax benefit administration, COBRA, IPERS, HIPAA and ACA
Enter and maintain employee records in the benefits administration system (Employee Navigator)
Calculate and enter employee benefit deductions into the payroll administration system (School ERP Pro powered by Infinite Visions)
Complete regular audits to ensure accuracy of employee benefit deductions
Analyze current and future healthcare plans, including medical, dental, vision and disability insurance,contribute to strategic planning and design a benefit package to meet the needs of a changing workforce
Create benefit materials and presentations for educating employees and retirees of the benefit programs that are offered including Annual Enrollment and Retirement Planning
Support the process of enrolling employees, and educate employees on benefit choices
Manage the annual Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program for current and new retirees, while performing research and calculations to process related information through board policy
Prepare and file various annual government filings and payments such as PCORI fee, ACA 1095 reporting, Medicare Creditable Coverage Disclosure, RXCAA
Prepare and collect data for the GASB 75 Valuation
Process weekly funding for flexible spending account and dental claims
Calculate and balance monthly premiums for medical, vision, long term disability, basic and voluntary life insurance
Process invoices through accounts payable for various other benefit expenses (Wellness vendor invoicing, FSA administrative fees, EAP invoicing, etc.)
Complete month end processing which includes 403(b) wires, file processing for HRA
Oversee and audit benefit deductions including imputed income calculations
Lead project plans for execution of annual enrollment, fiscal year rollover and calendar year end tasks
Perform system updates in both the payroll and benefits enrollment system like deduction set-up, rate updates, document updates, teacher lump sum deductions, etc.
Generate census data periodically for vendors and internal reporting as needed
Track and manage contract renewals for all of the health and welfare vendors and submit and prepare renewals for submission to the District Board
Update and coordinate plan documents and ensure compliance notices are up-to-date and posted on District website
Coordinate and manage the monthly retiree direct debits and non-discrimination testing with a third-party consultant
CLASSIFICATION:
Eight (8) hours per day with cyclical overtime
Twelve (12) months per year
Salaried position-salary commensurate with experience
Table B/ Non-Administrative Meet & Confer Group
Salary range $75,000 - $80,000
EMPLOYMENT DATE:
As arranged
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
Experience with health, welfare and retirement plan designs and administration
Effective communication skills - expertise in written and verbal communication utilizing correct grammar
Considerable knowledge of pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements with relation to employee benefit plan administration (IRS rules, HIPAA, COBRA and ACA)
Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail
Proficiency with Google and Microsoft office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Proven expertise at working independently under pressure to manage workload alongside several complex projects while meeting deadlines
Documented experience in a leadership role as well as being an effective team member with exceptional customer service skills
Successful experience managing confidential information
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or Accounting
is preferred or equivalent experience in a related field
- 5 or more years of experience with administration of employee benefit
programs required
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to complete each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and implement ideas contained in technical documents, reports, regulations, etc. Ability to effectively write reports and communications to administrators, colleagues, parents, students and staff. Ability to effectively present information orally and respond to questions from administrators, teachers, staff and students.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to perform basic mathematical functions. Ability to use spreadsheets and reporting documents that assist with the computation of data.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve problems effectively. Ability to interpret and implement a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, colleagues, community members, staff and students. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk and hear. The employee will frequently use hands and fingers to type/word process, file documents, manipulate papers, and use a copying machine. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0 -24 inches and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk while performing the duties of this job. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 0 - 12 feet and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as office materials, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus while working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is often quiet but may become loud in large group settings. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that will require the employee arrive and leave as directed and may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. workday. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures but will be required to work occasionally in outdoor environments.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Cedar Rapids Community School district is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.
Federal law obligates an employer to provide reasonable accommodation for the known disabilities of applicants, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer. If you or someone you know requires accommodation in the hiring process, contact the Executive Director of Human Resources at 319-558-2747.