Benefit Specialist III

The Benefit Specialist III supports Bi-State Development’s health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs for employees, retirees, and their dependents. This position counsels individuals on benefit options, manages eligibility and data accuracy, and ensures compliance with internal policies and governmental regulations. This role also assists with benefit strategies through system configuration and vendor coordination. Job Responsibilities Provides expert support on medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts (FSA), employee assistance programs (EAP), wellness, life, disability (including Accident, Illness, short- term disability, long-term disability), and time-off benefits (paid time off, vacation, sick leave). Interfaces with third-party administrators regarding 401(k) and pension retirement plans as needed. Communicates Company policies and procedures to participants, customers, vendors, and organizations. Collaborates with benefit team, HR, Payroll, Labor Relations/Absence Management, and external partners for inquiry support. Develops and updates materials for employee benefit programs and processes documentation for qualifying life event changes. Maintains and updates internal and vendor systems for benefits changes (e.g., open enrollment, life events, transfers, terminations, retirements). Ensures compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules and Company record retention policies for electronic and paper benefit records. Conducts new hire orientation, open enrollment, and retirement health plan education sessions. Ensures system integrity for internal processing and outbound enrollment/eligibility file transmissions, resolving vendor system errors. Collaborates with internal and external resources to implement or modify benefits, including system setup and data transmission protocols. Functions as business analyst for health, welfare, and retirement benefit system projects, including crafting test plans and providing training/documentation. Audits and reconciles enrollment data using reports and tools to ensure accuracy of benefits eligibility, enrollment, and contributions. Offers expertise and guidance to Benefits Specialists and stays updated on regulations impacting employee benefits. Processes Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) notifications and enrollments, as well as HealthCare Flexible Spending Account/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA/DCFSA) enrollments via third-party systems.