Salary : $51,230.40 – $75,857.60 Annually
Location : (Metro Square) Saint Paul, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2023-00288
Department: 21D01-Human Resources/Admin
Opening Date: 09/12/2023
Closing Date: 9/26/2023 11:59 PM Central
Basic Function
The Human Resources Benefits Claims Transactions Specialist 2-Ramsey County Retirees will primarily handle retiree benefits administration and will also provide support for the Ramsey County current employee benefits administration. Qualified candidates will have strong customer service skills as well as strengths in oral and written communication. Experience with insurance plans that coordinate with Medicare, insurance vendor interactions and premium billing are desired.
To evaluate and maintain records, manuals, events or reports, and audit personnel and insurance-related transactions and documents in order to ensure accurate benefits, personnel, and/or payroll records for Ramsey County employees and retirees; respond to internal and external requests for workers compensation, benefit, or personnel information; to advise and instruct departmental staff of the proper methods for completing and processing transactions and other related documents; to perform other functions and related duties as assigned.
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy.
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this job, go to: Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Examples of Work Performed
Benefits
1. Advise and inform benefit representatives about insurance coverage options, pre-tax benefit plans, requirements for enrollment, changes to the existing coverage, and changes to union bargaining agreements and county work rules affecting insurance program status.
2. Interpret and explain the provision of the county’s insurance benefit programs for employees and retirees, including assisting employees in completing necessary forms to enroll or make changes in benefit programs, answering questions about changes in contracts and coverage, and determining if requests meet legal requirements.
3. Ensure enrollment of all eligible employees/retirees in group insurance benefits by reviewing applications, entering into the computer system, and enrolling employees with insurance carriers.
4. Act as liaison between employees, retirees, or department benefit representatives and insurance carriers to ensure proper claim service and correct payment; resolve complex discrepancies; and provide information about filing appeals if necessary.
5. Audit various billings for accuracy, research and reconcile errors, and collect premiums where no payroll deduction has occurred.
6. Administer death and disability claims by gathering all required documentation, and processing waiver of premiums for disabled employees for life insurance coverage.
7. Contact all retirees/spouses approaching age 65 about change in insurance coverage, and follow up to ensure that every retiree and spouse submits a completed application at age 65. Refund Medicare B premiums to eligible retirees and their spouses.
8. Notify employees and dependents becoming ineligible for coverage of their rights to continue under state and federal law (COBRA) and assist them in this process.
9. Ensure that work status change affecting employee insurance coverage are correctly entered in the computer system. Terminate coverage for employees, retirees, and/or dependents as requested or required, notify carriers, and maintain documentation of changes.
10. Present information about county insurance coverage at retiree seminars and answer questions.
Claims
11. Assist in the management of any work-related injury or illness claims reported to the County’s workers’ compensation program.
12. Conduct preliminary investigations of employee claims under the Minnesota Worker’s Compensation statute; identify possible areas of liability, and refer more involved questions to either the claims manager or legal counsel.
13. Interview injured workers, supervisors, and witnesses to gather necessary claim documentation, calculate workers’ compensation benefits, prepare and submit all necessary state forms to meet mandatory time limits, and record claim information into an electronic claims system.
14. Correspond with and obtain information from attorneys, medical providers, employer contacts, rehabilitation consultants and the claimant regarding continued wage loss, prior history of injury/illness, medical treatment, and/or other pertinent issues to determine ongoing county liability and update the reserve status of the claim.
15. Compute appropriate wage benefits through regular communications with individual department payroll/benefits specialists and in consultation with applicable union contracts or personnel rules.
16. Coordinate the review of medical expenses with the medical bill review vendor and authorize medical payments as appropriate. Utilize and assign medical case management services where needed to optimize the medical treatment plan.
17. Maintain regular contact with the employing department and any necessary vocational rehabilitation services regarding medical developments and return-to-work coordination.
18. Generate standard reports for distribution or discussion with department contacts or safety committees.
19. Participate in the implementation and enhancement of the electronic claims administration software application.
Transactions
20. Audit all personnel transactions and documents submitted by departmental payroll staff for all classified and unclassified employees against personnel records by reviewing for accuracy, completeness, and conformance to the proper format. This includes comparing data to transaction documents so that personnel files are updated accurately with appointments, transfers, promotions, salary increases, leave of absences, layoffs, reinstatements, resignations, and confidential status.
21. Ensure that changes indicated on HRMS software and in supporting transaction documents are in compliance with union contract provisions, the Ramsey County Personnel Act, personnel rules and compensation guidelines, and federal and state laws.
22. Audit HRMS generated reports to ensure accuracy and integrity of data entry and process; research and reconcile errors; may perform or notify departments to perform corrections to transactions/forms in order to comply with data entry deadlines, instruct departmental payroll staff as to the method of correction when time permits.
23. Make recommendations as needed for HRMS software changes and/or procedural changes that will affect departmental payroll staff.
24. Advise and explain procedures for completing personnel transactions and/or documents and the proper use of available guidelines (personnel rules, union contracts, job aides, compensation manual) to departmental payroll staff.
25. Respond to requests for seniority-related items; employee status, personnel rules, and union contract provisions as they pertain to all leaves of absence, payroll, and related matters; employment verification; testify at grievance hearings upon request by HR management. Compile statistics, complete special projects, run specialized queries for County Board, Director of HR, HR Labor Relations Manager, HR Manager, and others as requested.
26. Maintain the record-keeping system for Human Resources programs/manuals/reports, update data and information as changes occur, and forward material/reports to appropriate authority (e.g. department, union, State of Minnesota) as required or requested for such areas as: pay for performance programs; union, unclassified/confidential/temporary seniority lists; employment life-cycle reports; I-9, salary increases due, funding, vacancy, provisional, and working in higher class reports; a variety of employee benefits usage reports.
27. Perform departmental payroll staff function for HR; maintain HR attendance records; prepare and revise the payroll section of the HR annual budget; provide clerical support for HR audits by the State of Minnesota, and implement record retention guidelines and microfilm/imaging for all HR data as directed.
28. Perform data entry of Position Authorization Request forms for all department reclassifications.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management-approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.
Minimum Qualifications
Human Resources Benefits, Claims, Transactions Specialist 2
Education: High school graduation or equivalent.
Experience: Six years of clerical experience including at least two years of experience as Human Resources Benefits, Claims, Transactions Specialist 1 OR one year of experience as a Personnel Transactions Assistant, a Personnel and Benefits Transactions Assistant, or equivalent.
Substitution: A Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, public administration, human resources or a field related to the area assigned may substitute for four years of the clerical experience.
Certifications/Licensure: None.
Exam/Screening Process Information
The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:
Training and Experience Rating = 100%
The examination for the HR Benefits, Claims & Transactions Specialist 2 will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.
Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a HR Benefits, Claims & Transactions Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for one month or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted and their rank on the list.
Veteran’s Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran’s Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran’s preference should update their veteran’s DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation
Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer. Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.
To print a paper application for this posting click You will need to print off this posting and also answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them if you complete a paper application.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact Tracy.Sherbert@co.ramsey.mn.us
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health and well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. To view our Total Rewards Guide click or see below:
- Medical and dental insurance.
- Medical and dental insurance is available through HealthPartners for single or family coverage. The county covers 92.5% of single health insurance coverage, 76.8% of family health insurance coverage, and 50% of both single and family dental insurance coverage.
- The Healthy Benefits program is available to help lower office visit copays for employees and dependents each year.
- A health care savings plan and health flexible spending accounts are also available to maximize tax savings on health expenses.
- Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees).
- 11 scheduled holidays and one floating holiday.
- Up to three weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below.
- Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours).
- Wellness incentive allowing you to convert unused sick time to vacation or pay.
- Pension – The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments.
- New employees become vested after five years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years.
- Deferred compensation – 457(b) account with employer match.
- Metropass program for a discounted monthly bus pass for commuters, saving employees $34.50 per month.
- Flexible spending accounts for parking/transportation expenses.
- Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
- Wellness programming.
- Flexible spending account for dependent care.
- Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions.
- Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year.
- Professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center.
- County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
- Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues.
- Long-term disability – Coverage replaces 40% of your lost income after six months of disability.
- Short-term disability – Optional short-term disability coverage provides 60% income replacement.
For general information about Ramsey County’s benefits packages, please visit our website at:
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write “see resume” as it is not an acceptable answer. The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Please select “yes” if you have read and understand.
- Yes
- No
02
Have you completed or currently participating in any of the following Public Sector Partnership Programs at Ramsey County? Examples may include a program in partnership with HIRED, Project for Pride in Living (PPL), Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, or an internship (including Right Track Plus), fellowship, limited duration assignment, provisional assignment, temporary opportunity or participating in a work experience like the Young Adult Career Academy, or job shadow experience. Answer No, if none of the above.
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have or have you ever held a professional license?
- Yes
- No
04
If you answered “Yes” to question #3, please list the type of license(s) and the State or jurisdiction the license is or was held; also indicate the status of your license(s). If this does not apply to you, please write “N/A” in the space provided.
05
Which of the following describes your level of education?
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
- None of the above
06
How many years of full-time clerical experience do you have?
- No clerical experience or equivalent.
- Less than five years of experience.
- At least five years, but less than six years of experience.
- Six or more years of experience.
07
How many years of full-time experience do you have in the specialty areas of retiree assistance, transactions, human resources, payroll, workers compensation, or accounting?
- I have no experience.
- At least one year but less than two years of experience in one or more specialty areas listed.
- At least two years but less than four years of experience in one or more specialty areas listed.
- Four or more years of experience in one or more specialty areas listed.
08
Describe your audit experience where you regularly confirmed accuracy, reviewed, analyzed, researched and/or corrected employee life-cycle activities (such as hire, termination, promotion, demotion, step increases, benefit data). Include how you determined what information was critical, whether it was accurate, and steps you took to correct inaccuracies; your specific job duties related to this experience and the number of years of experience you have. Do not write “see resume” or “see application”.If you do not have this experience type “NA” in the space below.
09
Describe your experience working with retirees and advising them on managing their retiree benefits. Please include how you coordinated with Medicare on employee sponsored retiree coverage. Describe how you determined if proper actions were taken, documented, and how you would identify if any changes needed to be made? Do not write “see resume” or “see application”.If you do not have this experience type “NA” in the space below.
10
Describe your electronic filing experience where you established and/or used electronic filing systems (e.g. Laserfiche) to ensure necessary paperwork is maintained in an official electronic file; your specific job duties related to this experience and the number of years of experience you have. Do not write “see resume” or “see application”.If you do not have this experience type “NA” in the space below.
11
Describe your experience using human resource information software which manages payroll and benefit actions (e.g. Peoplesoft; Summit); your specific job duties related to this experience and the number of years of experience you have. Do not write “see resume” or “see application”.If you do not have this experience type “NA” in the space below.
12
Which best describes your skill level using Microsoft Word?
- All of the skills listed below PLUS modifying default settings, working with toolbars, using worksheets and charts in documents, creating tables of figures, inserting cross references and hyperlinks.
- All of the skills listed below PLUS creating and saving forms as templates, inserting text, checkbox and drop down form fields, and creating form letters and mailing labels.
- All of the skills listed below PLUS creating and using templates, using the letter wizard, creating envelopes and labels, formatting with styles, headers and footers, creating and formatting tables, graphics and watermarks.
- Experience with creating documents, saving, printing, editing, setting tabs and indents, and using proofing tools to correct spelling and grammar.
- No significant experience using Microsoft Word.
13
Which best describes your skill level using Microsoft Excel?
- All of the skills below above PLUS customizing Excel options and toolbars; creating workspaces; creating and editing templates; running macros from menus and worksheet button; displaying dialog boxes and message boxes in macros: using worksheets as databases; performing basic and advanced sorting; using AutoFilter and Advanced Filter; querying an external database; refreshing and sorting a PivotTable; creating custom views, reports and Pivot Charts.
- All of the skills listed below PLUS using named cells, ranges and formulas; using relative and absolute cell references; working with multiple worksheets; working with charts; calculating using advanced functions such as NOW, DATE, VLOOKUP, IF, PMT, and FV; formatting zero and negative values; importing and exporting data; linking workbooks; recording, running and editing macros.
- Experience with creating, modifying and printing worksheets; moving, copying and pasting data; and working with basic formulas and functions.
- No significant experience using Microsoft Excel.
14
The work performed by a HR Benefits, Claims & Transactions Specialist requires daily interaction and problem solving with individuals from a variety of diverse cultural and ethnic populations. Describe your work, training, volunteer and/or life experiences that demonstrate your cultural awareness in working with persons of diverse populations. Indicate the nature of your interactions with individuals from communities or cultures other than your own. Do not write “see resume” or “see application”.If you do not have this experience type “NA” in the space below.
Required Question