CERES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION


Title: Benefits Specialist
Reports To: Director - Fiscal Services
Salary: $16.35 - $21.86 Classification: Classified - Confidential

FLSA: Non-Exempt (hourly)
Work Year: 12 Months - 261 Work Days

Board Ratified: 4-19-07


BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the direction of the Director-Fiscal Services, perform the necessary duties and functions related to employee and retiree benefits, assist payroll staff with miscellaneous payroll duties and auditing employee absences.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Meet with and assist new employees and retirees with insurance enrollment issues.
• Work with insurance companies to ensure employees are correctly enrolled and assist with problematic issues related to insurances.
• Reconcile insurance statements and send in payments monthly.
• Responsible for changes to insurance spreadsheet on a monthly basis, ensuring balancing to meet payroll deadlines.
• Responsible for district wide open enrollment annually for any insurance changes.
• After negotiations, make changes to coverage and insurance rates as appropriate.
• Contact employees upon termination/resignation regarding COBRA benefits.
• Understand, interpret and communicate insurance coverage questions for all employee groups.
• Attend staff meetings, county meetings, insurance meetings and in-service training as appropriate.
• Audit and track employee leaves and entitlements assisting sites and departments with problem issues.
• Print and audit monthly salary deduction information for payroll regarding employee absences.
• Understand contract language and Ed. Code language pertaining to payroll, and leave procedures.
• Handle disability claims with employees and American Fidelity.
• Assist with Cycle I and Cycle II payroll duties as necessary.
• May assist with duties such as distribution of payroll checks, direct deposits, and tax forms.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge and Application of: District policies and procedures; accounting systems and procedures; computer hardware and software programs and other office equipment; modern office practices, union contracts and appropriate Ed Code; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; interpersonal skills; and, principles of customer service.

Ability to:

• Compile, maintain, write, and submit accurate and complete records and reports and process data.
• Maintain employee payroll and benefit records.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions and work independently without direct supervision.
• Read, interpret, and apply instructions, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Plan, prioritize, and organize work and meet deadlines.


• Maintain and establish accounting systems and procedures.
• Operate modern office equipment and applicable software programs.
• Communicate effectively and accurately both orally and in writing.
• Apply interpersonal skills with using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: High School Diploma and three (3) years of additional training in payroll or accounting, one of which has been related to payroll functions or accounting.

Experience: Requires at least three years of clerical, payroll, bookkeeping or benefit experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably in an educational setting.

Special Requirements: Must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and maintain the minimum state vehicle insurance.

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 regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, and walk. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arm; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

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.

While performing the duties of this job the employee regularly works in an office.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.