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Personnel
Position Descriptions
Benefits Manager
Policy Number: C.E.S.P. 12-73
Date Revised: 10-23-2006
Supersedes: 5-15-2001 |
Nature and Purpose
The Benefits Manager works under the supervision of the Director of
Human Resources. The Benefits Manager is responsible for counseling and
administrative duties related to Extension’s employee benefits programs
such as FMLA and Catastrophic Leave; tuition fee discount and leave for
study programs; health, accident, dental, life and long term disability
insurance; voluntary insurance plans [long term care, cancer, critical
illness, vision, and auto/homeowners insurance]; Section 125 medical and
dependent care reimbursement plans; UA retirement plan [403(b) and
457(b)]; state and teacher employee retirement plans; thrift savings
plan; and federal retirement plans [CSRS, Offset, FERS]. The Benefits
Manager recommends or takes actions to ensure compliance with changing
University of Arkansas policies and state and federal regulations
affecting employee benefits. The Benefits Manager is responsible for
day-to-day supervision of the Personnel Assistant II position.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
| • |
Responsible for administration of University of Arkansas
System insurance programs, e.g., QualChoice, PharmaCare, Delta Dental,
Conexis COBRA, Conexis 125 medical reimbursement and dependent care
reimbursement, long term disability, accidental death and dismemberment,
and UnumProvident life. |
| • |
Responsible for enrollment and employee issues
related to UA System voluntary insurance products: CNA long term care, Liberty
Mutual auto/homeowners, Spectera vision, TransAmerica cancer, and
MetLife critical illness plans. |
| • |
Responsible for administration of the UA Optional
Retirement Plan (ORP) comprised of TIAA-CREF and Fidelity Investments;
the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS); and the
Arkansas Teachers Retirement System (ATRS). Responds to employee and
dependent inquiries about such issues as creditable service,
contributions, vesting, retirement benefits, disability, death benefits,
and repurchase. Monitors employee retirement contributions to assure
that they do not exceed maximum legal limits and counsels employees
accordingly. |
| • |
Responsible for administration of Federal insurance
programs, including twenty-four federal health insurance programs and
the federal life insurance programs. Provides advice and counsel
regarding the transfer of federal benefits for employees separating from
or coming to Arkansas Extension. |
| • |
Responsible for administration of the Civil
Service Retirement System (CSRS), Civil Service Offset Retirement System
(Offset), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and the Thrift
Savings Plan (TSP). Responds to employee and dependent inquiries
about such issues as civilian and military creditable service,
contributions, retirement benefits, disability, death benefits,
and repurchase. Monitors employee retirement contributions to
assure that they do not exceed maximum legal limits and counsels
employees accordingly. |
| • |
Responsible for creating Federal retirement
annuity projection estimates at the request of individual
employees. Individually counsels federally benefited employees
and their families regarding retirement and separation.
Determines final annuity calculation, and completes and submits
all retirement and separation forms. Sends federal personnel
folders and 2806 cards for separating employees to new agencies
or Washington. |
| • |
Notifies employees and retirees on UA and Federal benefits
of coverage and premium rate changes through written explanations,
charts, and summary sheets. Notifies surviving spouses and Medicare and
COBRA enrollees of same. Responds to inquiries and provides appropriate
counsel on alternative options. |
| • |
Assists retirees, employees and dependents with UA and
Federal benefit questions and concerns. Resolves employee claims
difficulties with various plan providers. Assists with other benefits
issues such as retirement plan loans and disability and death benefits
counseling. |
| • |
Researches and responds to employee and
dependent questions related to the coordination of UA and Federal fringe benefits with
social security, Medicare, Medicaid, Workers' Compensation, FMLA,
Catastrophic Leave, UA long term disability, and social security
disability. Assists individuals, to the extent possible, in resolving
problems related to such coordination of benefits. |
| • |
Conducts annual benefits open seasons and open
elections for Federal and UA System benefits plans. Assures that all enrollments
and changes are processed and submitted to providers by the appropriate
deadlines and that reports are submitted to federal and System benefits
offices, as requested. |
| • |
Ensures employee and supervisor awareness of
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitlement and counsels employees and their
families regarding same. Administers FMLA requests and leaves in
accordance with federal regulations. Assures consistency and appropriate
documentation. Works closely with supervisors, the Director of Human
Resources, Payroll, the Civil Rights Compliance Officer, and
Administration in sensitive situations. Provides FMLA training for
supervisors. |
| • |
Responsible for administration of the
Catastrophic Leave Bank Program in accordance with State
regulations and UA System policy
and practice. Serves as coordinator of the Catastrophic Leave Committee.
Assures consistency and appropriate documentation. Works closely with
supervisors, the Director of Human Resources, Payroll, the Civil Rights
Compliance Officer, and Administration in sensitive situations. |
| • |
Responsible for administration of the
University of Arkansas Tuition Discount and Leave for Study
Programs. Assures that supervisors, employees, and dependents
are aware of this important educational opportunity. Assures
that appropriate documentation and records are maintained. |
| • |
Ensures understanding by all terminating
employees of policy conversion options and COBRA continuation of
coverage rights for the employee and their family members. |
| |
Assists state leaders and department heads in
faculty recruitment by meeting individually with candidates, as
requested, to review Extension fringe benefits and answer
questions about Extension policy and procedure. |
| • |
Responsible for developing all benefits-related
policies, templates, and procedures. Responsible for the
on-going review and revision of same. Assures compliance with UA Board and Division of
Agriculture policy and with state and federal laws and regulations. |
| • |
Responsible for development and maintenance of
the benefits overview presentation for new employee orientation,
the Benefits Overview booklet for prospective job candidates and
new hires, and the benefits sections of the Human Resources
Office web site. |
| • |
Provides daily supervision for the Personnel
Assistant II position assigned to the benefits function. Assures
appropriate functional training for the incumbent in the
position. Contributes to that individual's annual performance
evaluation. |
| • |
Conducts presentations, benefits and retirement
workshops, in-service training sessions, and district conference
discussions throughout the year. |
| • |
Represents the benefits function on various
Extension and UA System committees and initiatives, e.g., the UA System Fringe
Benefits and the UA System Choose Well committees. Assures that
Administration is informed of any proposals which may potentially affect
Cooperative Extension. |
| • |
Works with the Financial Services and
Information Technology teams to implement changes in Banner
related to the HR function and Self Service and to create
reports and processes which streamline benefits, e.g.,
electronic interface with vendors. |
| • |
Responsible for creation and maintenance of the
online benefits enrollment system and other web-based benefits
administration enhancements. Monitors best practices from other UA System campuses and
Cooperative Extension Services to assure optimum technological
efficiency. |
| • |
Pursues professional development and
technological training to enhance skills and remain abreast of
new developments in the area of benefits administration. |
| • |
Alerts the Director of Human Resources and
Extension Administration to State and federal legislation which
may have implications for the organization's benefits and
personnel management. |
Relationships:
| • |
Works under the supervision of the Director of
Human Resources. |
| • |
Provides daily supervision for the Personnel
Assistant II position assigned to benefits administration. |
| • |
Maintains a cordial and confidential working
relationship with all Extension employees, dependents, retirees,
and surviving spouses. |
| • |
Works closely with fringe benefits providers,
the UA System
Office, benefits personnel on other UA campuses, and benefits
administrators at other state extension services. |
| • |
Maintains a good working relationship with
State OPM,
CSREES personnel staff, Federal OPM, and federal insurance and thrift
savings plan providers. |
| • |
Keeps the Associate Vice President for
Agriculture – Extension and the Associate Director for Finance
and Administration apprised of substantive benefits issues and
changes. |
Qualifications:
Education and Experience
| • |
Bachelor’s degree in Personnel Management,
Human Resources or related field is required. |
| • |
A minimum of three years' experience in
personnel benefits administration at the headquarters/state
office level is required. |
| • |
Managerial experience is preferred. Experience
in Federal benefits administration is preferred. |
·Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
| • |
Must possess exceptional employee relations and problem
solving skills. |
| • |
Must be able to speak and write effectively.
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| • |
Must demonstrate a high level of integrity,
fair-mindedness, and confidentiality. |
| • |
Ability to seek, devise, and implement technological
enhancements to improve efficiencies in benefits administration. |
| • |
Ability to use Banner to further enhance
benefits services to the organization. |
| • |
Ability to speak before large groups and
respond to audience inquiries. |
| • |
Ability to work with people of various cultural
backgrounds and levels of education and experience. |
| • |
Ability to deal patiently, fairly, and
effectively with sensitive personal situations. |
| • |
Ability to organize, plan and prioritize work. |
| • |
Ability to function well under pressure. |
| • |
Ability to deal with agitated and/or frustrated clients. |
| • |
Ability to manage a multitude of details and
work on multiple projects at one time. |
| • |
Knowledge of hardware and software with
potential application for benefits administration. |
| • |
Knowledge of governmental regulations and of
University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, and Cooperative
Extension Service policies and procedures. |
| • |
Knowledge of state and federal law related to
employee benefits administration. |
| • |
Knowledge and acceptance of potential
organizational and personal liability involved in the
administration of FMLA and other employee
benefits. |
Approval
Dr. Ivory Lyles
Associate Vice President for Agriculture - Extension
October 23, 2006
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is
an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be considered
without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender,
age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally
protected status.
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