Benefits Services Specialist

Under general supervision, performs a variety of administrative and customer service activities in support of various Benefits Services activities and processes including, healthcare plans, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and wellness programs. Advises employees and department personnel on CTA's various leave policies and procedures, provides necessary support to CTA's 3rd party administrator who handles the administration of CTA's leave management, and directly oversees the return to work process of employees falling under certain parameters. Gathers and produces documentation, gathers and analyzes data, and prepares reports. Work may be conducted in both a live and online (telework) environment.

Administers various employee benefit programs and processes. Conducts benefits orientation for employees. Processes daily benefit plan enrollments and changes in online systems. Assists in reviewing and processing various benefits related documentation and forms. Travels to various locations to conduct Benefits Services events and programs. Conducts annual Open Enrollment activities and communicates with employees on Open Enrollment procedures and processes.

Provides support to the Benefits team in assisting Authority employees and new hires with inquiries on various benefits services. o Receives, reviews, and answers a variety of questions relating to Authority health and wellness programs, retirement plans, and other employee benefit programs.

Assists walk-in and telephone callers in completing necessary forms and other documents. Resolves service problems and claim discrepancies between eligible participants and health care providers.

Assists with department's daily activities and execution of leave management processes. Answers questions regarding leave policies and procedures or directs the question to the appropriate resource.

Assists with monitoring employee compliance with leave policies particularly for STD and FMLA. Keeps track of employee progression through the claim approval and appeals process and supports follow-up actions as needed. o Assists with any required action needed to be taken to complete leave documentation or process. o Assists in processing paperwork for employees returning to work from extended leave. Schedules fingerprinting, medical testing, and retraining for union employees as needed. Maintains leave information updates and distributes updated information.

Provides assistance and support of strategic case management. Conducts research and gathers information and investigation details and makes recommendations on possible actions plans. Communicates with third party administrator (TPA), department personal and employee on findings. Processes workflows and enters information and updates into various systems and databases.

Creates communications and status notifications; distributes to parties involved in process. Researches, advises and interacts with employees and the third party administrator (TPA). Assists in resolving service problems and claim discrepancies between eligible participants and TPA. Gathers data, statistics and other information as requested to prepare charts and reports. Coordinates with various Authority departments and systems as well as third party administrator (TPA) systems to compile and analyze absenteeism data. o Develops regular and special reports and analysis from data on department programs.

Performs various related duties as assigned.

Maintaining efficient and consistent customer service while processing enrollment and conducting site visits.

Keeping abreast of new trends, legislation, and innovations related to employee benefits and programs.

Bachelor's degree, with experience in Human Resources, healthcare program administration, healthcare analytics or a related benefits program, or an equivalent combination of education and experience related to this position.

Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.

Working knowledge of Human Resources policies and procedures.

Working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to benefits.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Strong customer service skills.

Good project management skills.

Good organizational skills with attention to detail.

Good interpersonal skills in dealing with external groups and/or organizations.

Intermediate computer skills.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with other departments.

Ability to work with sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Strong analytical skills.

General office environment.

Travels within the Chicago Metropolitan area to various field locations.

Standard office equipment.

Personal computer and related software.