The Benefits Associate I administers group health plans, Medicare Advantage Plan, HDHP and HSA, vision, dental and other employee benefit programs. Determines and verifies eligibility for enrollment and/or continuation in employee benefit programs with emphasis on timely and accurate service and adherence to internal controls. Implements plan provisions, updates policies and procedures, and provides consultation and customer service to employees and retirees related to district benefit programs.

The salary range is $51,845 - 74,422 (12 months/260 days)

Administrative applications for the following position are being accepted by the Office of Human Resources by 11:59 PM CST on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. A current resume and three (3) letters of recommendation manually signed by the author and dated less than one (1) year old must be attached to the completed application (if you are unable to electronically attach these documents, you must notify human resources that you are sending hard copies which must be received on or before the deadline date listed above). Caution: When attaching documents to the application, be sure the documents are legible. If the documents cannot be read, your application may be disqualified from consideration. Appointment is subject to a criminal background check, a drug/alcohol test and credential verification. Non MPS employees must submit official transcripts confirming Degrees. No applications will be accepted after the deadline date and time.

How To Apply

Administrative applications for the following position are being accepted by the Office of Human Resources by 11:59 PM CST on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. A current resume and three (3) letters of recommendation manually signed by the author and dated less than one (1) year old must be attached to the completed application (if you are unable to electronically attach these documents, you must notify human resources that you are sending hard copies which must be received on or before the deadline date listed above). Caution: When attaching documents to the application, be sure the documents are legible. If the documents cannot be read, your application may be disqualified from consideration. Appointment is subject to a criminal background check, a drug/alcohol test and credential verification. Non MPS employees must submit official transcripts confirming Degrees. No applications will be accepted after the deadline date and time.

Other Information

As of November 1, 2021, all MPS employees are required to be fully vaccinated. The health and safety of our staff and students is our number one priority. That's why all offers of employment are contingent on the candidate showing proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (currently one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine) to pass the pre-employment requirements. Individuals with medical issues or sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent them from getting the vaccine may request an accommodation from the vaccine requirement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources management, business, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Coursework related to benefits administration, group insurance, claims administration, COBRA administration or accounting is preferred.
• Two or more years of responsible, direct, hands-on experience in benefits administration, preferably in a large and/or unionized organization, performing mid to high level administrative duties involving the analysis and interpretation of information.
• Experience with an automated human resources information system (HRIS), preferably Oracle/PeopleSoft V9.2, or other equivalent database management system is highly desirable.
• Previous experience with benefits billing, benefit plan eligibility rules, and State or Federal regulations/mandates is desirable.

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Determines and verifies eligibility for enrollment in the various group benefit plans, in accordance with the plan provisions, State & Federal laws, Board policies and practices.
• Interacts with third party administrators and insurance companies for eligibility e.g. enrollments, terminations and family status changes. Reviews and updates records from monthly vendor interfaces via error/discrepancy reports, including contact with governmental agencies and health services providers.
• Interacts with various MPS departments such as talent management, compensation, payroll and finance with regard to personnel changes that affect eligibility, and ERS and WRS pension offices to ensure accurate and timely eligibility and enrollment in plans.
• Maintains employee benefit records on HRIS system and paper records, if applicable, and run required reports from HRIS system, processes PeopleSoft Open Events, works past due reports and runs queries that result in updating enrollment including retroactive terminations.
• Maintains working knowledge of MPS plan provisions and Benefit Administration to ensure benefit programs are administered and documented accurately; performs audits related to accurate enrollment deduction and billing status.
• Maintains working knowledge of benefit regulations such as COBRA, HIPAA, QMSCO, ACA, FMLA, Medicare and Medicare Advantage to process elections and provide customer service and problem resolution for employees/retirees.
• Sets up and processes retiree health benefits including Medicare Part B reimbursement and maintains retiree plan eligibility due to age 65, Medicare eligibility, death, etc. Reviews pension deduction reports monthly and adjust plans/premiums accordingly.
• Reviews/researches/updates benefits communications, related documents and reference materials for use by both internal and external audiences.
• Handles customer inquiries and problem resolution regarding benefit plans and assist in explanation of plans and/or options under the plans. Evaluates and refers plan provision and claims processing questions to appropriate vendor.
• Undertakes research into benefit administration issues including eligibility and participates as necessary in the development of or revision of operating policies and procedures. Analyzes and prepares recommendations to management on specific benefit administration issues as appropriate.
• Prepares billing enrollments and manual bills if needed; responds to inquiries from individuals from the City and State pension offices regarding premium billing. Serves as occasional backup to accountant for billing related tasks.
• Supports the annual Open Enrollment process including review and preparation of communications, process changes, elections, and confirmation statements within HRIS and handles inquires.
• Prepares and presents benefit appeals to committee regarding eligibility, claims or plan denials.
• Cross-trains and backs up Benefits Associate I counterpart when absent.
• Actively supports the MPS Strategic Plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Milwaukee Public Schools does not discriminate in its programs, activities, facilities, employment, or educational opportunities on the basis of a person's sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

In accordance with Wisconsin Statutes, every applicant for a position with Milwaukee Public Schools will be subject to the open records law. Any applicant not wishing to have his/her identity released, must submit a written statement to that effect to the Office of Human Resources. The identities of all "final candidates" may be released. Milwaukee Public Schools reserves the right to interview the best qualified candidates.