] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → SENIOR SPECIALIST, INSURANCE & RETIREMENT, INSURANCE

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Senior Specialist, Insurance & Retirement, Insurance

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Sr Spec Insrnce/Retirement CODE: 0718 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Senior Specialist, Insurance & Retirement, Insurance GRADE: J MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under general direction, provides leadership and oversight of the day to day operation of the health benefit team. Within the Employee Retiree Service Center (ERSC), the benefit team administers the Montgomery County Public Schools life, medical, prescription, dental, and vision plan oversight, and customer service support. The team provide project support and leadership as a functional expert for ongoing benefit programs and to integrate technology to automate business process; maintains the functional knowledge of the plans and the implementation strategy in the system; uses technology as it relates to benefits and the business process required with ERSC; provides support to retirees and active employees for retirement/health plans, Medicare Part D, and vendor plan changes. Supervises staff and their work activities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Extensive knowledge of health benefits and plans - self-insurance principles, MCPS employee benefit programs and related policies and procedures. Extensive knowledge of Federal, State and local laws affecting employee health benefit programs. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex health benefit or management systems. Demonstrated oral and written communications ability, including the ability to effectively design and conduct seminars and benefit workshops, Knowledge of Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and IRS guidelines to prepare comprehensive employee communication materials and summary descriptions preferred. Demonstrated supervisory and organizational skills. Experience in improving and documenting processes. Knowledge and application of the six leadership standards that have been established for the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP/MCBOA) Professional Growth System (PGS).
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelors degree required from an accredited college or university with a preferred major in business or public administration or related field. Masters degree preferred. Extensive experience in administering and implementing employee benefit programs for a large public institution. Experience supervising and training staff in plan administration, developing comprehensive employee communication materials, designing automated recordkeeping systems, planning work priorities and executing work plans for a multi-faceted program. Other combinations of education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) None.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Position may require weekend and evening work as necessary to perform duties and meet deadlines.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Note: The job duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by this job classification. Not all duties assigned are included, nor are all duties listed performed in every office or every day.

1. As a benefit functional expert, maintains current knowledge on legislation related to employee benefits or issues.

2. Provides quality assurance for health benefit data.

3. Plans, organizes and executes team activities and work plans.

4. Evaluates effectiveness of work plans.

5. Reviews program operations and effects changes to improve efficiency and/or automate work functions as needed. Identifies system and procedural inconsistencies and develops processes to ensure accuracy and consistency.

6. Prepares documentation of processes and leads process improvement.

7. Represents operational needs on system projects, upgrades and process improvements.

8. Coordinates enhancements or updates of benefits systems.

9. Leads, verifies and runs the test scripts when patches are applied and signs off any new changes.

10. Drafts, edits, and reviews materials for new and current employees, current and future retirees. Works with staff to develop notifications and communications using a wide variety of media (letters, publications, emails, and Websites.)

11.. Trains staff on issues relating to benefits.

12. Oversees customer service and education programs such as orientations, seminars, etc.

13. Prepares responses to auditor questions and findings.

14. Prepare responses to subpoenas/child support orders. 12. Performs trend analysis for employee benefit programs.

15. Assists benefit director to determine operational metrics, service level agreements, and a performance monitoring plan.15. Assists benefit director to draft responses to technical retirement/benefit issues on behalf of Board President, Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Chief Financial Officer and division director.

16. Assists benefit director to act as liaison to employee bargaining units, insurance carriers, legal counsel, plan actuaries, auditors and benefit consultants, as necessary.

17. In collaboration with technical team, prepares materials, files, reports for actuarial valuations and/or other data requests, such as auditor test data as required for the health benefits teams.

18. Serves as a back up to call center

19. Performs related work as required.
Class Established: 6/2020
Date(s) Revised:
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.