Employee Benefits Client Service Representative

Sitzmann Morris & Lavis, Inc. (SML) is an insurance broker of Individual Life and Disability and Employee Benefit Planning. We were founded in 1965 by Gary Sitzmann and remain a privately owned company. We employee 85 people, and our main corporate office is located in the beautiful Ordway building in downtown Oakland, just 3 ½ blocks from BART and across the street from Lake Merritt. We also have three satellite offices in Lafayette, CA; Santa Rosa, CA and Hartford, CT.  I am pleased to share that SML is ranked # 2 in the “Largest East Bay Insurance Brokeragesâ€� by the East Bay Business Times 2008 Book of Lists and also #46 in the “Fastest Growing Companies in the East Bayâ€� (September 2006 East Bay Business Times.) We are also ranked # 6 in the San Francisco Business Times 2008 Book of Lists’ publication of the “Largest Insurance Brokers in the Bay Area and #19 in the “Largest Family –Owned Businesses in the Bay Area.â€�

We are looking for a talented, professional, and confident team-player individual to join our dynamic, successful and growing firm.  At SML, we take great pride in providing our employees with a work environment that is supportive, challenging, fun and sophisticated. Please take the opportunity to check us out on the Internet at www.smlinc.com.

 Position Description:

 

·  To provide support to Account Manager in the daily management of our group accounts.

·  To provide resolution to employee/employer issues arising from claims, administrative and benefit plan performance issues by the following:

 Generate documents, such as contact sheets, open enrollment memos, benefit summaries, sample communications, termination letters and other miscellaneous memos for all lines of coverage.Be able to communicate to employees or the administrators about their plan benefits.Handle claim issues (troubleshooting, research and resolution.)Work with carrier to get exceptions in certain situations.Help administrators with billing or enrollment problems.Send out supplies to clients.Create new files for new clients or new lines of coverage. Properly term and archive client filesUpdate and maintain client data in the Corporate Database (CMS).Order plan materials, including contracts, rates, benefit summaries and supplies.Keep up with legislation that affects your day-to-day contact with the clients. Maintain CA Life & Health License (if applicable) Accompanying the Account Manager(s) on occasional client meetings out of the office.Filing and copying as needed.

·  Constantly strive to provide more efficient service to our clients.

·  To handle all customer service issues, as best possible, to enable the account managers to be out of the office on client visits.

·  To always find a method to meet our clients’ needs.

·  To assist as a back up to other areas of the department that may need help.

·  To assist on the Back-up team for the receptionist in the event that additional help is needed.

·  Step in for Account Manager’s, as needed, including conducting open enrollment and other informative meetings.

·  Proofread proposals and other documents.

·  Sounding board for colleagues.

 

 SKILLS:

 

·  Proficient on the computer with Windows XP and the Microsoft Office 2003 programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).

·  Strong telephone communication skills due to the heavy phone use this job entails.

·  Effective verbal and written communication.

·  Excellent interpersonal skills.

·  Ability to set and meet deadlines

·  Ability to work autonomously and perform well under pressure.

·  Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

·  Detail oriented, resourceful.

·  Ability to operate in a fast paced environment.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

 

·  Four year college degree preferred

·  At least one year of experience in employee benefits industry or related marketplace

·  CA Life and Health License a plus

 

 

We offer a very competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan, including a flexible schedule program and a very generous PTO benefit! As a benefits broker, we truly “practice what we preach� and have one of the best employee benefit plans offered so let us know if you are interested in this exciting position within our firm! Position is full time (M-F, 8AM-5PM), located in downtown Oakland, across the street from beautiful Lake Merritt and just 3 ½ blocks from BART.