Coordinator II, Employee Benefits

Serve the faculty and staff of Kent State University as well as other internal and external stakeholders through efficient, accurate and timely response and solutions to inquiries involving the administration of employee benefits.
Responsibilities include overseeing and administrating various employee benefits, including retirement savings, life and health (medical, vision, RX) insurance, as well as leave administration, COBRA, workers’ compensation and tuition waiver administration.
Empowered to research and resolve issues as well as to develop and recommend changes and “Lean Thinking” solutions for employee benefits administration.
Data integrity is imperative to accurate benefits administration and the position will support this effort using internal reporting tools to perform ongoing data audits.
Reports to the Executive Director, Employee Benefits, Wellness and Health Promotion, or their designee.
Additional Basic Function – if applicable: Examples of Duties: Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following: Coordinate employee benefits programs and projects including but not limited to: Group medical, dental, vision, prescription, retirement, tuition waiver and life insurance options.
Special projects will include the annual open enrollment, new hire orientation and onboarding, as well as new product rollout or benefit changes.
Maintain a thorough understanding of university-sponsored benefits, including policy and coverage provisions for all offered plans.
Assist in identifying and writing standard operating procedures (SOP) and guidelines for important functions.
Identify and update previously created SOPs to maintain relevancy.
Approach and analyze all internal processes with “Lean Thinking” to develop internal efficiencies and create a positive end-user experience.
Process 401(a), 403(b) and 457(b) account transactions including salary reduction agreements, transfers, exchanges, rollovers, distributions, withdrawal requests.
Serve as a liaison with retirement plan vendors.
Administer the tuition waiver benefit program to include processing requests for employee, spouse/domestic partner, dependent children, and retirees.
Verify eligibility and approve/deny requests utilizing electronic workflow or manual procedures.
Monitor and update index and approver information to ensure proper approval authorization and budget allocation.
Use internal audit reports to reconcile exceptions and maintain accurate data.
Review and initiate workers’ compensation claims following report of work-related injury.
Determine necessity to secure additional information to file claim and establish certification status.
Serve as liaison with Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, third-party workers’ compensation administrator, and managed care organization.
Advise manager of claims’ status and make recommendations for appeals, as necessary.
Ensure all benefit plan documents, summary plan descriptions, booklets, and information brochures are accurate and current for dissemination.
Support efforts to analyze and prioritize departmental workflow.
Participate in a learning-community mindset to share information, train and update Benefits colleagues as new information is acquired.
Conduct necessary research to resolve coverage/claim issues and disputes between employees and benefit administrators.
Document accordingly for employee records.
Inform Benefits Director of situation/patterns of concern and propose solutions.
Assess and support development of employee outreach programs that promote health and benefits literacy.
Activities may include contributing to newsletters, benefits tip of the week, website development, developing webinars, benefits orientation, etc.
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Support efforts to establish long range benefit and health and wellness strategies.
Participate on various departmental, divisional and university committees.
Research/compile data for benefits reports/surveys.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable: Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field or the equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
Two years’ experience in employee benefits or related area.
License/Certification: Not applicable.
Knowledge Of: Relevant human resources/benefits laws and regulations (COBRA, HIPAA, etc.
) Ohio Public Employee Retirement Systems (OPERS/STRS) Adobe Acrobat Pro Software Skill In: Customer service orientation * Attention to detail Priority setting Applying policies and procedures to specific situations * Formal and informal written communication Microsoft Suite products, including MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and Access Database Public speaking * Ability To: Work in a high volume and fast paced environment Be results and people oriented Work independently and as part of a team.
Multi-task while managing multiple projects and assignments * Perform operational, transaction and technical tasks within the HRIS system to design and administer employee benefits Preferred Qualifications – if applicable: Assessments: Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which require assessments Working Conditions / Physical Requirements: Light work.
Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects.
Incumbent must be able to communicate with others.
Incumbent may be required to travel from building to building frequently and off campus occasionally.
Working Schedule: Additional Information: Must pass a security check.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.