Benefits Administrator

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage. Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

To learn more about Macomb County benefits click here

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

Benefits Administrator

SALARY:

$88,590.62 - $114,584.57

DEPARTMENT:

Human Resources and Labor Relations

Opening Date:

04/30/2026

Closing Date:

05/14/2026 12:00 a.m.

Department

Human Resources & Labor Relations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Relationship: At will as defined by County Policy

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under direction, responsible for managing Macomb County’s benefit and retirement programs administration for strategic direction, performance, plan design, communication, implementation, and compliance. Provides input in order to align benefit programs with Macomb County’s objectives and industry best practices to attract and retain highly talented employees through value added health and welfare benefits, voluntary benefits and wellness initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages the design and administration of employee health and welfare programs, including communication to employees, retirees and former employees about benefit programs, procedures, changes, and government-mandated disclosures.

Supervises and manages day-to-day operations of the benefits teams and programs, including plan administration, projects, vendor management, compliance and overall eligibility concerns.

Manages the administration of active and retiree health care benefits related to medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage to ensure requested coverage is in effect at the appropriate times.

Oversees administration of employee retirement systems including the Defined Benefit Plan, 401a Defined Contribution and 457 Deferred Compensation plans for compliance with Macomb County’s Retirement Ordinance and collective bargaining agreements.

Oversees the implementation of benefit programs in Workday for employees and retirees.

Assists in determining strategy and provides direction for employee and retiree benefit communication and education to enhance understanding and appreciation of Macomb County’s benefits.

Oversees on-going performance of benefit vendors for delivering desired results, adhering to provisions of contracts and benefit plan documents and service expectations.

Assists in the selection of vendors and the negotiation of contracts with benefit vendors and consultant.

Oversees annual benefit renewals and assist in the evaluation of program changes for the following plan year.

Oversees annual open enrollment for county-provided benefits and voluntary benefits. 

Oversees and ensures  compliance with the provisions of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), Family Medica  Leave Act (FMLA), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Workers’ Compensation Act and other benefit related policies and legislative requirements at federal or state level, as well as changes in legislation.

Oversees on-going Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance for the company benefit plans.

Administers leave of absence requests and FMLA certifications.

Reviews and processes requests for accommodations under ADA.

Partners with legal counsel on HIPAA, ADA, FMLA and Worker’s Compensation regulations and policies and procedures when necessary.

Reviews and evaluates all work-related accident reports.  

Ensures proper administration of plan member benefits for all applicable plans.

Supports and strategizes labor relations needs regarding the area of related benefits.

Attends conferences and seminars to keep informed of new developments in benefit administration.

Develops and facilitates the use of technology and software applications to complete assignments and meet objectives.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Development or a related field
• Five (5) years of experience in a Human Resources Generalist or Consultant role

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Development or a related field
• Experience in Benefits Administration

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel

Preferred Licenses or Certifications

• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP)
• Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Public sector benefit and retirement programs
• Macomb County Employees Retirement System Ordinance
• Human Resources policies, procedures and processes
• Affordable Care Act (ACA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Workers’ Compensation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and other benefit related acts and federal laws.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other laws and policies regarding confidentiality
• Various computer systems, including Workday, Precision, ADP, Gallagher, vendor systems, Onbase, and Microsoft Office

Skill in:

• Exercising independent judgment and initiative in analyzing problems and making recommendations
• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, retirees, vendors, outside professionals, agencies and the public
• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work for assigned staff and activities
• Project management
• Conflict resolution
• Organization and time management

Ability to:

• Exercise independent judgment and initiative in analyzing benefits needs and recommending policy
• Make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and established policies and procedures
• Carry out complex written and oral instructions
• Direct, manage and organize the work of processional and support staff
• Speak and present information to audiences in a clear, concise manner
• Maintain the confidentiality of information
• Work with diverse populations and cultures
• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Work independently
• Conduct oneself with tact and courtesy

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: N/S

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: N/S

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: N/S

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85+ decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand:

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/S

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): O

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees): N/S

Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging:  N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O

Kneeling to work at low levels: O

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another:

Up to 10 pounds: O

Up to 50 pounds: N/S

More than 50 pounds: N/S

Over 100 pounds: N/S

Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: O

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): O

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.