Benefits Consultant

About the Opportunity

The Benefits Service Center Consultant will provide the following benefits, retirement, and special leaves support to employees for participating UNC Benefits Shared Service Campuses:

• Benefits Administration: Serves as a consultant in administering benefit programs available to all university employees (active, separated, disabled, and retired) and their dependents, department managers, and Chief HR Officers by providing expert counsel; answering questions; assisting in problem resolution; providing information/clarification about various benefits plans, benefits-related issues, as well as Federal and State laws and University policies as they relate to benefits; etc. Serves as a liaison between the campuses, various agencies, and retirement/insurance plan providers.

• Retirement Counseling: Serves as consultant in administering the mandatory [ORP and TSERS] and supplemental [403(b), 457(b), and 401(k)] retirement programs available to university employees. Provides consultation on options available as a new, rehired, or newly eligible employee as well as those nearing retirement and/or terminating employment as it relates to their mandatory and supplemental retirement plans.

• Special Leave Administration: Administers all aspects of the special leave programs - i.e., Family Medical Leave, Family Illness Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Faculty Serious Illness Leave, Military Leave (USERRA), Disability Leave, Faculty Professional Leave, Educational Leave, as well as leave without Pay benefit/retirement impact, etc.
  
  Applies independent decision making while assisting the campuses in interpretation or clarification of certain Federal, state (NC), and University Faculty, SHRA, and EPS leave policies and regulations. Coordinates and organizes all medical leave information and ensures that HIPAA and Employee Privacy guidelines are closely monitored and effectively executed. Works closely with participating campus Time and Leave Administrators to ensure proper management of vacation and sick leave usage during the medical or military leave of absence. Collaborate with Time and Leave Administrator to identify when employee exhausts all available leave balances (vacation, sick, bonus, and/or shared leave) to properly manage leave without pay benefits administration and communications.

• Benefits Communications: Assists the Senior Benefits Consultant in preparing various benefits communications for distribution to the Benefit Shared Service campuses as they pertain to new benefits, changes in existing benefits programs, open enrollment periods, etc.
  
  Assists the UNC System Office Benefits leadership and the campus HR leadership with improving communications about benefits plans, as well as collaborates to determine form and content of benefits information to be included on the campus HR Benefits websites. Coordinates with the appropriate campus resources office to ensure developed content, needed updates, and needed compliance benefits/retirement messaging is posted.

• Benefits Engagement: Assists the Senior Benefits Consultant in providing benefits/retirement workshops, attending campus benefits events, conducting New Hire Benefits Orientation (NHBO) sessions, assisting campus with annual Open Enrollment workshops and labs, etc.

• ACA Administration: Position is responsible for all compliance related to administering the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This position is the subject matter expert for ACA compliance, requirements, and plan details.
  
  Provides consultation with managers and employees regarding eligibility and offers of coverage. Position ensures that the Benefits Shared Service procedures are compliant and reviewed to maintain compliance.

• Benefit Analytics: Assists Benefits Officer with conducting benefits research, surveys, and trend analyses; compares data from different sources and identifies issues and obtains relevant information. Prepares special reports on various benefits, retirement, and leave related topics to assist with benefits engagement, offerings, and/or administrative efforts improvements.

• Special Projects: Upon request by the Benefits Officer, works on special projects, prepares reports, prepares electronic presentations, etc. related to benefits, retirement, and/or special leave.

This position is a fully remote work arrangement with some travel requirement to participating campus locations as needed during the year for on campus benefits special events and engagement opportunities as well as important Benefits Network meetings and trainings. UNC System employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina and reside within a 2-hour commuting distance of assigned duty station. Note, the 2-hour requirement "may be" waived due to the remote nature of the Benefits Service Center and its inherent design to provide services for all UNC System campuses participating in the Shared Services administration model no matter the location - from mountains to coast.

About the UNC System Office

The UNC System Office includes the offices of the President and other senior administrators of the multi-campus University of North Carolina System. The UNC System is a treasured public institution dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina through world-class teaching, research, and community engagement.

Today, nearly 250,000 students are enrolled in our 16 universities across the state and at the NC School of Science and Mathematics. System Office staff is responsible for executing the policies of the UNC Board of Governors and providing University-wide leadership in the areas of academic affairs, business and financial management, long-range planning, student affairs, research, legal affairs, and government relations. The UNC System Office also has administrative oversight of a number of University affiliates, including PBS North Carolina, the North Carolina Arboretum, the NC State Education Assistance Authority, and University of North Carolina Press.

About the Team

The Human Resources division serves as a strategic partner to the President UNC System Office senior leadership, Board of Governors, and to the chief human resources officers and their HR offices of the 17 constituent institutions of the University regarding policy and process implementation, HR management, benefit management, classification and compensation, employee relations, talent acquisition and human resources information systems (HRIS). Human Resources administers UNC Policies for employees exempt from the State Human Resource Act on behalf of the President and the Board; HR also administers delegated human resources responsibilities in collaboration with the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources for employees Subject to the Human Resources Act. The division is also responsible for management of a shared services payroll for nine constituent institutions, maintenance of the UNC System HR DataMart for personnel data, and the oversight and execution of the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and other University-specific benefit programs.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills

Bachelor's degree and two years of progressively responsible relevant professional human resources experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Competencies

Professional-level experience in related benefits or employee benefits administration, including extensive knowledge of benefit standards and best practices applicable in the higher-education setting. Demonstrated expertise in administering employee benefit policies, systems and procedures.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills

Substantial (five to seven years) experience with public sector employee benefit programs and policies. Knowledge of relevant federal laws with respect to employee benefits and specific subject matter expertise in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Family and Medical Leave (FMLA), COBRA, workers' compensation and related regulations.

• Classification: Human Resources Consultant II

• Appointment Type: Permanent

• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

• Employment Type: EHRA

• EHRA Category: Exempt Professional Staff (EPS)

• Location: Raleigh, NC USA

• Position Number: 20062967

• Special instructions to applicants: The posting remains open until filled, but applications received by April 14, 2024 will be given priority consideration

Equal Employment Opportunity and Other Information

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Human Resources Contact Information

Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: recruiter@northcarolina.edu.