Benefits Consultant

Description:

The University of South Alabama’s Human Resources department is seeking to hire a Benefits Consultant. Interested candidates should apply to be considered.

Essential Functions
These are the job duties required of the position.
Essential Functions
Interprets policies and benefits to employees and department heads.
Triages all internal and external inquiries made through email, telephone or in person regarding employee benefits; monitors, distributes and/or responds to all emails received via employeebenefitshr@southalabama.edu.
Alternates in conducting staff New Employee Orientation (NEO); conducts one-on-one faculty and administrative benefits orientations, as assigned.
Supports the administration of the online benefit enrollment system to include researching and identifying enrollment errors and performing audits to ensure accuracy of elections and payroll setup; serves as first reviewer of enrollments to check for eligibility compliance, tracking and follow up communication with employees as needed.
Processes system-wide insurance enrollments, life-event changes and open enrollment changes in compliance with plan requirements.
Processes daily distribution requests as received through TIAA Plan Focus; reviews and approves hardship withdrawal requests in coordination with Asst. Manager, Benefits, to ensure IRS compliance.
Completes the annual analysis to determine participating employees who meet the IRS definition as a Highly Compensated Employee for removal from the USA Matching Plan; completes salary reduction agreements to end participation; prepares notification letters to employees and supervisors; assist with directing employees wishing to defer non-matching contributions with online deferral elections.
Responsible for auditing annual employee benefits statements prior to state required distribution date.
Prepares annual email communications and online updates to ensure timely federal notification requirements for Annual Federal Notices/Important Notices due by October 15.
Prepares and collects data needed for the annual Fiduciary Liability Insurance Renewal for review and approval by Senior Director, HR Benefits.
Completes SouthFlex Dependent Care discrimination testing at plan year closing; reports results to Sr. Director, HR Benefits.
Using Health Equity website, extracts monthly reporting for submission to Payroll to complete payroll/account reconciliation.
Assists Sr. Director HR, Benefits, with the scheduling and support of the Fringe Benefits Committee to include preparation of agenda, scheduling meeting/sending invitations, reserving meeting room, preparation of meeting minutes, posting online of approved meeting minutes; committee member appointment letters.
Assists Sr. Director HR, Benefits, with the scheduling and support of the Deferred Compensation Committee meeting to include preparation of agenda, scheduling meeting/sending calendar invitations; reserving meeting room, preparation of meeting minutes, maintaining committee member appointments.
Maintains the Employee Benefits and New Employee Orientation web pages to include design and updates; update to benefits brochures annually.
Completes updates online to the USA Choice and USA Select Plans – Summary Plan Descriptions – as annual changes are made. Upon review and final approval communicates availability to HR staff, and employees system-wide through online communication methods.
Prepares communications to employees with missing dependent social security numbers for ACA compliance (updates required to applicable systems).
Assists USA Health HR with the annual notification to ACP participating employees for waiver of USA health insurance coverage and to track receipt of proofs of health insurance coverage.
Assists Sr. Director, HR Benefits with the development of relevant materials for inclusion in the annual Open Enrollment Guide.
Assists in the planning and coordination of TIAA Individual Advise in-person sessions in coordination with the TIAA representative, to include, but not limited to, contacting and location setup.
Completes the planning, promotion and communication of the TIAA FIQ Challenge in coordination with TIAA with an annual goal of increased systemwide participation.
Collects required data for the annual ACHE Survey for review by Sr. Director, HR Benefits, to ensure timely submission.
Provides employees with assistance/explanations concerning Teachers’ Retirement System issues such as filing for retirement, vesting, purchase of military and/or out-of-state service and sick leave conversion for service credit, and disability retirements.
Prepares annual communication for TRS retirement seminars to include timely notification to managers and administrators.
Provides employees assistance/explanations regarding life and disability insurance.
Assists employees in filing for optional life insurance, death and disability claims to include processing and submission of claims, and follow up with employee and insurance carrier, as applicable.
Prepares the calculation of retiree life insurance continuation notices as requested.
Serves as a liaison between Human Resources and Payroll to provide required paperwork for employee benefits and changes in benefits as necessary.
Assists in the planning and coordination of the annual Employee Benefits and Wellness Expo.
Prepares notices/communication to employees regarding employment status changes such as FTE and department and/or classification transfers as it relates to employee benefits changes.
Conducts Employee Benefits training presentations for Supervisory Overview and other workshops as needed.
Prepares reports utilizing Banner and Excel.
Stays abreast of changes related to benefits in Healthcare Reform, PEEHIP, TRS, Medicare and Social Security Legislation.
Travels to various campuses (locations) to conduct New Employee Orientation, attend meetings, and participate in various benefit functions as required.
Conducts special projects and surveys as assigned.
Serves on various committees as assigned.
Maintains and respects the confidentiality of information of University employees, dependents, financial information and other sensitive information; and to abide by the regulations regarding privacy and security of health information as mandated by HIPAA.
Regular and prompt attendance.
Ability to work schedule as defined and additional hours as required.
Related duties as required.