Benefits Representative (EXTENDED)

Primary Function

Under supervision from the Director of Insurance and Employee Benefits and/or designee, the employee provides assistance with benefits data management and operations necessary for benefit administration for all eligible NIU employees. Using the PeopleSoft integrated Human Resource Information System ( HRIS ) and following university policies and procedures, this position is responsible for ensuring that NIU employees’ insurance elections/changes are correctly processed in a timely manner. This also requires consistent data entry in the Central Management Services ( CMS ) Membership System. This position provides assistance to the Benefit Counselors and Leave Coordinators/Benefit Officers as well as other areas of Human Resources Services ( HRS ) for proper administration and processing of employee benefits. This position’s emphasis is to provide customer service by exercising sound judgment, as well as, by providing the support and coordination required for the successful functional operation of university benefit programs. The employee is expected to perform work with high quality, meet deadlines, and report progress in a timely manner. Compliance with all applicable laws, such as HIPAA, and maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive employee benefits information is required of the incumbent.

Duties and Responsibilities (generally)

The Director of Insurance and Employee Benefits and/or designee will be responsible for assignment and priority of projects. The following are additional responsibilities required for the position:

 Knowledge of State benefits programs.
 Knowledge of University policies and procedures.
 Knowledge of Benefits, Payroll, and Personnel regulations as they relate to the PeopleSoft HRIS system.
 Knowledge of PeopleSoft and CMS data entry and processing procedures.
 Knowledge of insurance and employment laws, such as HIPAA and COBRA, as well as, applicable IRS regulations.
 Knowledge of State and Federal laws as it relates to FMLA and Worker’s Compensation.
 Facilitation of communication between Insurance and Employee Benefits and other Human Resource Services departments to promote accurate and timely benefits administration.
 Provide strong customer service to all NIU employees with inquiries or issues related to benefits.
 Maintain confidentiality related to private and personal benefit information.

Minimum Required Qualifications for this position

1. Any one or any combination that equals 18 months from the categories below:
(a) credit for college training leading to a major or concentration in Insurance/benefits administration, human resource management, or closely related fields such as business administration
· 60 semester hours or higher equals 18 months
(b) credit for college training leading to a major or concentration in fields other than those previously listed
· 60 semester hours equals 12 months
· 90 semester hours or higher equals 18 months
© credit acquired towards a Certified Employees Benefits Specialist Certificate or a Chartered Life Underwriter Certificate (Each course in the CEBS and CLU programs is equivalent to three semester hours of college course work.)
(d) responsible clerical or paraprofessional work experience in benefits and/or insurance benefits such as may be gained in a benefits, insurance, retirement, health care, or human resources office.

Specialty Factors (Additional Required Qualifications)

Education and Experience Preferred

N/A

List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to the performance of this position.

Ability to work effectively with staff and public.
Ability to communicate clearly in both verbal and written forms.
Ability to understand and explain benefits related rules, policies, and their interpretations.
Ability to perform record keeping and form completion
Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations

Working Hours
M-F 8:00 - 4:30
Minimum Pay Rate (Hourly or Monthly)
$13.20/hour
Hiring Rate Information

Actual hiring rate is commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity; position includes a robust benefits package to eligible applicants.

Posting Date
06/01/2021
Closing Date
06/15/2021
Priority Review Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position, however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience.
• If you have education and/or training in excess of what is required, we encourage you to upload your unofficial transcripts.
• After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this particular position.
• Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu . Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.
• We STRONGLY recommend that contact information used in your online profile be personal use, not professional/work information: personal email address, home address, and phone numbers. The information you provide is used to make contact on search updates, department referrals and interviews, etc. We must be able to relay sensitive and important information in a way that protects your privacy concerning job search activity, now and in the future.
• ALL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE SCHEDULED TO COME TO THE NIU DEKALB CAMPUS TO TAKE A STATE UNIVERSITIES CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION . At the time of testing, you will be required to present a photo ID. NOTE : If you have previously tested for this classification and wish to rewrite the exam to improve your score and register position, please contact the Civil Service Testing Office by the posting deadline.
• Required documentation noted in the posting such as driver’s license, licensures, or certifications MUST be presented at the time of examination.
• If eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application in order to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.
• After testing of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.
• Click on Benefits Representative for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
• Please click Human Resource Services – Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University’s benefits package.
• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Link to Department Homepage
: Human Resource Services
Physical Demands

EEO Statement

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560

Is Background Check Required
Yes
Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Education ( AAEOE ) at ada@niu.edu .

Clery Act Information

NIU provides information regarding campus security, personal and fire safety, including topics such as: crime prevention, emergency response procedures and crime reporting policies, in addition to crime and fire statistics for the most recent three calendar years. The Annual Security Report containing security and safety information is available at www.safety.niu.edu/clery or by contacting the University Police Department and Public Safety Department at 815-753-9628 to receive a hard copy. The Annual Fire Safety Report is available at www.niu.edu/clery/fire_report.pdf or by contacting the Environmental Health and Safety Department at 815-753-0404 to receive a hard copy.

Quick Link
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/57102
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not Applicable
2. * Please rate your level of professional work experience accurately recording information; creating records or files; correcting, updating, coordinating, coding, reconciling, and maintaining records or files; reviewing records or files for completeness and accuracy using program standards; reviewing records of files for quantitative and qualitative content and/or following-up on deficiencies; maintaining security and confidentiality of records or files.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
3. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
4. * Please rate your level of professional work experience interpreting procedures and criteria for qualification of applicants to clients, relatives of clients or unknowledgeable persons; discussing confidential and/or sensitive matters with discretion; securing information through discussions or interviews; assisting individuals/clients with the completion of forms; providing informational assistance and guidance in person, by telephone and/or mail.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
5. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
6. * Please rate your level of professional knowledge of benefit plans and programs offered by the employer; explaining to clients basic provisions of standard benefit programs and/or payroll deductions such as program eligibility, enrollment procedures, termination, conversion privileges, and tax withholdings.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
7. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
8. * Please rate your level of professional work experience counseling in the assessment of commonly occurring personal situations and the selection of basic benefit plans such as health, dental, and life insurance; correcting, changing, payroll deduction and/or transmitting or insurance coverage information to affected parties in the resolution of common benefits problems; assisting clients in resolving eligibility questions; referring clients to higher level counselors or other sources of assistance such as credit unions or labor union organizations.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
9. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
10. * Please rate your level of professional work experience preparing materials for group presentations explaining new or modified benefit programs; assisting in coordination of activities during periods of open or new program enrollment; conducting limited research or compiling data for response to inquiries concerning benefits such as investigating and summarizing an individual's insurance records: monitoring benefits and billing of employees; filing claims.
    • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
    • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
    • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
11. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
    
    (Open Ended Question)
    
    
12. * Do you hold a verified certification as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist or a Chartered Life Underwriter? If so, please remember to upload a copy of your certification.
    • Yes
    • No

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. List of at least 3 References

Optional Documents

1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
2. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
3. Certifications/Licensure #1
4. Transcripts #2 (unofficial with official required at hire)
5. Transcripts #3 (unofficial with official required at hire)
6. Certifications/Licensure #2