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Benefits Specialist

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Benefits Specialist

Salary

$26.00 Hourly

Location

Boise, ID

Job Type

Full-Time with Benefits

Job Number

02642

Department

Human Resources

Opening Date

07/15/2025

Closing Date

7/29/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

+ Description

+ Benefits

General Summary

$26.00/hr. + DOE

Ada County is seeking a knowledgeable and customer-focused Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team. In this vital role, you will serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries and provide essential support for the day-to-day administration of our employee benefits programs. From processing enrollments and verifying eligibility to leading benefit orientations and supporting open enrollment events, you will play a key role in ensuring our employees understand and make the most of their benefits. If you are detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about helping others navigate complex benefit systems, we invite you to apply and make a difference with Ada County.

Ada County is a great place to work! We serve over 2,000 employees. Join our Human Resources team!

At the heart of our organization are the people who make it thrive. Our Human Resources values are the foundation of how we support, engage, and empower our team. These values guide every decision we make — from hiring and development to workplace culture and employee well-being. They reflect our commitment to integrity, inclusion, growth, and respect for every individual.

HR VALUES:

Serve Big: We aim high and give our all. We're here to make a difference.

Better Together: Our talents and ideas are welcome here, and we'll grow even better side-by-side.

Build Trust: We are committed to honesty, accountability, and meaningful connections.

We offer a competitive Total Rewards package that increases your base salary by approximately 40%, including:

+ Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance

+ Generous vacation and sick leave starting on day one

+ 11 paid holidays annually

+ Participation in one of the nation’s best state retirement systems, with 11.96% employer contribution

+ 457(b) deferred compensation plan with up to 3% county match, plus a 401(k)

+ Paid parental leave, life insurance, and robust wellness programs

+ Ongoing training opportunities and career pathing

POSITION GENERAL SUMMARY

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for handling the day-to-day client support, education, and operational administration of the Ada County benefits plans. This position is the primary point of contact for employee benefit related inquires, responsible for enrollment processing, and participating in new employee orientations, annual open enrollment, benefit fairs, and benefit trainings. This position maintains benefit records and verifies eligibility and appropriate documentation is obtained for coverage and/or enrollment changes.

Essential Functions

Client Support- Consultation and Training

+ Advise employees on benefits offerings, advises on eligibility, costs, coverage, and benefit plan provisions;

+ Evaluate or initiate qualifying life events and ensure appropriate eligibility for employees and dependents Responsible for responding to and maintaining the Employee Benefits group email inbox and HRIS help desk service requests;

+ Assist with developing and presenting benefits programs and offerings during new employee orientation, annual open enrollments, benefit fairs, and other benefit trainings and communications;

+ Coordinate and participate in annual open enrollment activities;

+ Conduct research to resolve escalated employee benefits issues;

+ Provide consultation to employees on retirement and death benefit programs and options;

+ Coordinate the completion of retirement program processes and paperwork with State and federal offices as well as retirement providers;

+ Assist in the creation and/or review of employee benefits communications, training, materials; and maintaining the benefits pages on our Intranet;

+ Research and recommend ways in which to better educate employees on benefit coverages, options, and procedures;

+ Provide insight to the benefits team based on employee experience and feedback;

+ Document and maintain procedures for assigned benefits processes.

System & Record Maintenance

+ Maintain benefits administration dashboard and benefits reporting within HRIS;

+ Review and approve life events via HRIS and ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments for vendors files;

+ Coordinate with vendors to update and correct employee benefit information within the portals; resolve administrative errors and attempts to reconcile issues;

+ Update changes as needed within HRIS system, carrier, and vendor administration systems;

+ Maintain benefit records and retention schedules;

+ Coordinate with internal payroll department to complete bi-weekly payroll and benefit deduction reconciliation;

+ Access to vendor sites and serves as liaison between the organization and third-party benefit providers and vendors.

Healthcare Trust

+ Provides administrative support to Health Care Trust including the processing of vouchers, invoices, developing and posting agendas, taking meeting minutes and clerking meetings;

+ Assist with insurance billing audit, reconciliation, and invoice processing.

Additional Functions

+ Provides administrative support as needed;

+ Performs related work as required.

Job Requirements

+ High school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative support experience in employee benefits or related field;

+ Experience researching and resolving complex benefit issues; interpreting and explaining insurance contract provisions;

+ Experience using an HRIS system, Oracle HCM preferred;

+ Experience with various computer software programs such MS Word, Power Point, Excel, Publisher, and Outlook, Zoom, Teams, WebEx as well as database management programs;

+ Experience advising and providing consultation to employees on benefit programs;

+ Experience developing and conducting group training;

+ Knowledge of federal and state regulations affecting benefit programs including: Section 125, and COBRA, preferred;

+ Knowledge of benefits policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state regulations;

+ Skill in organizing, planning, handling multiple tasks and prioritizing;

+ Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner for individual and group meetings;

+ Ability to interpret and provide guidance relating to benefits coverage, policies, and procedures;

+ Ability to work independently to complete tasks with minimum oversight;

+ Ability to effectively communicate with people in potentially stressful and emotional situations;

+ Ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information;

+ Ability to communicate effectively with proven verbal and written skills;

+ Ability to show initiative, analytical and problem-solving skills, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Other Requirements

+ Must possess a valid driver’s license;

+ Ada County HR staff furnish their own transportation for conducting county business when necessary.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

+ Work is performed primarily in an office environment and the employee in this class is subject to inside environmental conditions;

+ Requires sitting at a desk for long periods of time, up to 8 hours and ability to lift up to 10 lbs.;

+ Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, to permit the employee to function in a general office environment and accomplish tasks.

Disclaimer

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Ada County provides Veteran's Preference for all County jobs except for those deemed "key positions" in accordance with Title 65, Chapter 5 of Idaho Code.

Ada County recognizes that employees are our most valuable asset. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to benefit-eligible employees designed to support the health, wellness and long-term financial stability of our employees and their families.

Healthcare:

+ Low-cost medical, dental, vision premiums and deductibles

+ Post-employment health savings account

Retirement and Investments Plans:

+ PERSI retirement benefits

+ 457(b) post or pre-tax investments options with up to 3% employer match

+ 401(k)

Wellbeing Program:

+ Employee Assistance Program for short-term counseling on work, family, finances, and personal concerns.

+ Free ACHD Commuter ride vanpool program

+ Free bus pass

Paid-leave:

+ 11 paid holidays per year

+ 8 weeks paid Parental Leave

+ Approximately 96 hours of vacation accrual for full-time employee

+ Approximately 96 hours of sick accrual for full-time employee

+ 5 days paid bereavement leave

Life & Short-Term Disability Insurance

+ Basic Life Insurance employer paid if benefit eligible

+ Short Term Disability employer paid if benefit eligible

Optional Benefits:

+ Pre-tax Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account

+ NCPERS Decreasing Term Life Insurance

+ Supplemental Employee, Spouse, Child Life Insurance

+ Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance

+ AFLAC

Visit us at adacounty.id.gov/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefits to view details regarding our benefits package, including: paid leave, healthcare benefits, retirement benefits, and more!

Employer

Ada County

Department

Human Resources

Address

200 W. Front St. Room #2210 Boise, Idaho, 83702

Phone

208-287-7123

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