Benefits Manager

Function of Job

Employees in this class work under administrative review and are responsible for the management, coordination, and supervision of the activities in a campus-wide benefits office providing services to employees, annuitants, survivors, and dependents.


A(n) Benefits Manager typically -

1. plans, organizes, directs, and controls benefits services and programs for employees, annuitants, survivors, and dependents.
2. assumes responsibility and accountability for accurate benefit enrollment records, associated voluntary payroll deductions, and medical claims payments in cases where the campus serves as a third party administrator.
3. develops department budget and exercise control of expenditures of state and auxiliary funds allocated to or developed by the unit.
4. coordinates operational activities with other campus departments and outside agencies (such as the State Department of Central Management Services) as required for efficient and effective operation.
5. develops and communicates benefits information to employees, annuitants, survivors, and dependents, using both written material and group presentations.
6. establishes departmental staff training requirements and is responsible for the supervision of assigned personnel.
7. directs development of and/or improvements to management information, control, and unit operating systems.
8. establishes policies and procedures to maintain or improve benefit services to employees, annuitants, survivors, and dependents.
9. reviews and advises campus administrators of legislation and state or federal policies and procedures affecting benefits.
10. authorizes and directs payments of premiums and directs the preparation of reports of insured members for state agencies and insurance carriers.
11. performs other related duties as assigned.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or any combination that equals 3 years (36 months) from the categories below:
   1. credit for college training leading to a major or concentration in insurance administration, personnel administration, finance, or closely related fields
      
      • 60 semester hours equals 12 months
      • 90 semester hours equals 24 months
      • 120 semester hours or a Bachelor’s Degree equals 36 months
      OR
      credit acquired towards a Certified Employees Benefits Specialist Certificate or a Chartered Life Underwriter Certificate¹
   2. credit for college training leading to a major or concentration in fields other than those previously listed
      
      • 60 semester hours equals 6 months
      • 90 semester hours equals 12 months
      • 120 semester hours or a Bachelor’s Degree equals 24 months
   3. responsible paraprofessional work experience in insurance and/or benefits (such as may be gained in the insurance, health care, or personnel fields as a benefits specialist, insurance underwriter, medical claims administrator, or patient service specialist)
2. Two years of progressively more responsible business experience that involved health/life insurance or benefits and the supervision of others

¹ Each course in the CEBS and CLU programs is equivalent to three semester hours of college course work.

1. knowledge of group insurance and ability to understand and interpret contract provisions
2. administrative ability
3. ability to work effectively with staff and public
4. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.