The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration of statewide health and benefit programs for the Colorado Judicial Department and provides additional administration in the Department's total compensation programs and processes.

This classification is distinguished from other classifications due to the required concentration on benefits administration and the added responsibility of administration in the total compensation function.

Advises district administrative staff on benefit administration, plan design and legal requirements of the state benefit plans, including medical, dental, retirement, disability, FMLA, COBRA, and other programs as assigned.

Enforces state and department policies related to health and benefit programs.

Collaborates and confers with the department’s payroll team, Executive Branch central payroll and benefit units, Colorado Judicial Department Human Resources Division, and the Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) regarding policies and procedures.

Develops and schedules training on practices, policies, and procedures for district administrative staff and employees.

Establishes branch-wide policies and procedures for the administration of employee benefits and maintains an administrative benefits manual for administrative staff.

Advises and assists district administrative office staff regarding the preparation of benefit information and notifies districts of changes in procedures, policies, laws and forms.

Acts as a liaison between employees, payroll, district personnel and insurance providers to resolve problems.

Provides support in the administration of total compensation programs and participates in special projects related to total compensation work.

Generates comprehensive employee communications program related to benefit and total compensation programs.

Develops and leads programs for the State Court Administrator’s Office for the health and wellbeing of the office’s employees.

Is responsible for the day to day administration of benefits for the State Court Administrator’s Office.

Attends departmental and special meetings and trainings, as required.

Participates in special projects and other duties, as assigned.

Has responsibility over own work and may provide functional guidance to less knowledgeable or experienced coworkers. This may include problem solving, providing on the job training and reviewing work of others.

Must have knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, retirement plans and related state and federal laws and regulations.

Must have excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable presenting information to large and/or diverse groups.

Must demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Must demonstrate proficiency in Windows based programs and have exposure to HRIS systems.

Must maintain confidentiality and demonstrate employee goodwill and a professional image with all stakeholders.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree and three years of experience working in human resources, benefit plan administration, or related experience.  Additional work experience in these or other related fields may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required formal education.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to perform repetitive motions, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. May handle emergency or crisis situations and may be subject to interruptions, may handle multiple calls and inquiries simultaneously and may occasional handle absentee replacement on short notice.