Duties Description Employee Benefits has the lead role for administering the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), one of the largest public employer health insurance programs in the nation covering more than 1.2 million lives. This position will play an important role in ensuring the continued success of the comprehensive health insurance programs.
The Human Resources Specialist 1 (Benefits) or Trainee 1 / Trainee 2 duties in the Employee Benefits Division will include but are not limited to the following:
- Participating in the administration of the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) by providing guidance, instruction, assistance, and information to client agencies and enrollees verbally and in written form. This includes responding to inquiries regarding law, regulations, policy and administration of NYSHIP, as well as benefit and claims assistance. This includes being knowledgeable of Division and Department policies and procedures and being knowledgeable in transactional processing in the New York State Benefits Eligibility and Accounting System (NYBEAS).
- Answering telephone inquiries from NYSHIP enrollees and Health Benefits Administrators (HBA); documenting phone calls and responding to tickets using the ORACLE application.
- Reviewing and preparing NYSHIP plan materials and providing training on this information. This may include presenting in person or virtually to State employees and employees of local government agencies that participate in NYSHIP.
- Using developed metrics and reporting to ensure unit workflow is meeting minimum standards and developing strategies to improve staff performance and/or self-performance and assisting management with decision making.
- Testing and providing feedback on NYBEAS changes.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (NY HELPS):
Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 (Benefits):
Four years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing various employee benefits (such as health, dental, vision, and life insurance; and workers' compensation, income protection, and disability benefits); establishing and applying eligibility requirements; and arranging and communicating to enrollees the details of each benefit.
Substitute: Associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience; bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience.
Human Resources Specialist Trainee 2 (Benefits):
Five years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing various employee benefits (such as health, dental, vision, and life insurance; and workers' compensation, income protection, and disability benefits); establishing and applying eligibility requirements; and arranging and communicating to enrollees the details of each benefit.
Substitute: Associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience; bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience; master's degree may substitute for five years of specialized experience.
Human Resources Specialist 1 (Benefits):
Six years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing various employee benefits (such as health, dental, vision, and life insurance; and workers' compensation, income protection, and disability benefits); establishing and applying eligibility requirements; and arranging and communicating to enrollees the details of each benefit.
Substitute:Associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience; bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience; master's degree may substitute five years of specialized experience; J.D. may substitute for six years of specialized experience.
REASSIGNMENT QUALIFICATIONS:
Current Department of Civil Service employees with one year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55 B/C service as a Human Resources Specialist 1 (Benefits) or Trainee 1 / Trainee 2; if less than one year, you must be currently reachable on the PATT or PCO eligible list for the Albany location.
COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATIONS:
You must be reachable on the current eligible list or eligible for transfer.
70.1 TRANSFER QUALIFICATIONS:
One year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55 B/C service in a title eligible for transfer and determined to be similar by Civil Service.
52.6 TRANSFER QUALIFICATIONS:
One year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55 B/C service in a title eligible for transfer and determined to be similar by Civil Service.
For transfers, a list of approved titles is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/.
SUBSEQUENT 55B/C QUALIFICATIONS:
A subsequent 55 B/C appointment may be considered if you have one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 B/C service in an eligible position allocated to Grade 12. To be considered, you must provide a copy of your letter of eligibility with your response.
It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.
Additional Comments #TeamCivilService is growing and is looking for motivated, forward-thinking employees to join our team to build a dynamic workforce. The Department of Civil Service is undertaking several initiatives to transform the way the agency delivers services to our partner agencies and to the public, and we are excited to be adding new members to the team. In addition to joining a growing team and agency, employees will also receive a comprehensive benefits package.
The Department of Civil Service is the central personnel agency for the Executive Branch of New York State government, serving approximately 150,000 employees. Our mission is to build tomorrow's workforce today by promoting a diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce. We lead and deliver world-class workforce management strategies by providing innovative solutions based on merit, fitness, and equality of opportunity.
Among its duties, the Department:
- Partners with State agencies to offer workforce recruitment and placement services, including developing minimum qualifications, classifying positions, developing civil service examinations, and administering performance assessment tests.
- Administers the New York State Health Insurance Program (https://www.cs.ny.gov/nyship/), one of the largest public employer health insurance programs in the nation, serving more than 1.2 million lives.
- Assists municipal agencies with civil service administration of more than 360,000 local government employees.
- Oversees the Governor's Program to Hire Individuals and Veterans with Disabilities (https://www.cs.ny.gov/rp55/) to place individuals with disabilities in State jobs and the New New York Leaders Initiative Student Intern Program. (https://nysinternships.cs.ny.gov/nnyl/)
NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: DCS employees may be approved for a maximum of 50% telecommuting, however, they are required to apply and obtain approval through management in accordance with DCS Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
The Department of Civil Service is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability status, arrest record or criminal conviction history, or any other category protected by law.
We are happy to provide reasonable and religious accommodations during the hiring process for those in need. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please send a request to
[email protected]Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
