Buncombe County
• $76K — $97K *Qualifications
Responsibilities
Benefits
About Our HR Team
Our Human Resources Department currently consists of 24 professionals across six functional areas:
Organizational Development
Recruiting & Staffing
HRIS
Employee Relations
Family Health Clinic
Compensation, Classification & Benefits
Together, we support strategic workforce initiatives including compensation, classification, benefits, talent development, succession planning, employee engagement, performance management, and organizational effectiveness. Guided by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Honesty, and Equity, we are committed to providing exceptional service and creating a workplace where employees can thrive.
Work Location & Schedule
This position is based at 200 College Street in downtown Asheville, North Carolina, with County-paid parking provided. The selected candidate must reside, or be willing to relocate, within a two-hour driving distance of Asheville. An initial in-office training period is required. Following successful completion of training, a hybrid work schedule may be available based on operational needs and departmental approval.
Hiring Timeline
We anticipate conducting interviews in July and August, with the goal of having the selected candidate begin employment in early to mid-September.
If you are passionate about delivering exceptional employee service, building strong partnerships, and administering comprehensive benefits programs that make a meaningful difference, we encourage you to apply and join the Buncombe County Human Resources team.
Purpose of the position:
To performresponsible professional and administrative work in the development, implementation, administration, and communication of employee benefit programs for County employees. Work includes administration of health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, leave administration, compliance reporting, employee communications, vendor relations, and benefits-related data analysis. The employee serves as a subject matter expertregardingemployee benefits and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Compensation & Benefits Manager.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration, including at least two (2) years of experience in benefits design, strategy, and/or program management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.Human resources experience in localgovernmentor the public sector is preferred.
Additional Training and Experience:Certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or CEBS preferred.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:None
Essential Functions of the position:
Administersemployee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, wellness programs, and voluntary benefits.
Serves as liaison between the County and benefit vendors, brokers, third-party administrators, and retirement agencies.
Assistsin evaluating and implementing benefit programs and wellness initiatives.
Monitors vendor performance andassistswith contract administration and renewals.
Processes employee benefit enrollments, changes, terminations, and qualifying life events in the HRIS and carrier systems.
Conducts benefit orientations for new employees and educates employeesregardingavailable benefit programs.
Coordinates and administers the annual open enrollment process, including employee communications, system configuration, vendor coordination, and employee meetings.
Reviews and reconciles benefit invoices and payroll deductions to ensure accuracy.
Serves as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries and resolves complex benefit issues.
Create and configure all benefit plans, rates, eligibilityparametersand passive events within theHCMsystem.Create reports based on available benefit data.Work closely with theHCMITSupport Team for bi-annual update testing and tenant changes.
Administers participation in the North Carolina Retirement Systems (LGERS and TSERS, as applicable).Assistsemployees with supplemental retirement plans, including 401(k),and457programs.
Coordinates COBRA administration andmonitorsqualifying events.
Assists with ACA eligibility tracking and annual reporting requirements, including Forms 1094-C and 1095-C.
Maintains confidential employee recordsin accordance withHIPAA and other privacy requirements.
Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the County’s benefits package.
In collaboration with Employee & Family Health,develop and implementoutcomes-basedprogramsdesigned to reduce employee health care costs andmaximizereturnon investment.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of employee benefit programs and administration practices.
Knowledgeof applicable federal and state employment laws and regulationsaffecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA,401k and 457 plans, Medicare, Social Security and DOL requirements.
Ability to analyze and interpret laws, regulations, policies, and plan documents.
Ability to communicate complex benefits information clearly and effectively.
Ability tomaintainconfidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Proficiencyin HRIS, benefits administration systems, Microsoft Office applications, and spreadsheet analysis.
Strong analytical,problem-solving,and decision-making skills, with thorough knowledge of benefit plan design and administration. Ability to evaluate complex information, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and make sound recommendations. Exceptional attention to detail.
Skilled in developing and implementing short- and long-range plans, conceptual designs, and budget requirements for assigned areas, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and operational needs.
Ability to exercise sound andtimelyjudgment andmaintainconfidentiality of sensitive information.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Skilled in public presentations.
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