Benefits Specialist

Job Summary:

Provide professional HR support and guidance to faculty and staff regarding benefits programs, workers' compensation, and Family Medical Leave (FMLA). Assists employees with claim questions. Prepares monthly benefits invoices for review and processing by Director of Human Resources. Keeps updated, accurate records of current coverages. Processes benefit changes resulting from hiring, termination, qualifying events, etc. Completes benefits-related surveys as requested. Complies with audit requests.

Duties/Responsibilities:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties or responsibility requirements. Employees may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

• Administers employee benefit plans. Manages computerized benefit records; creates, updates, and inactivates files.

• Prepares and reconciles benefits invoices.

• Maintains a working comprehension of COBRA, HIPAA, healthcare portability and privacy regulations, IRS Tax Code, and other relevant benefit laws. Coordinate enrollment, termination, and changes to Drury's self-funded health care plan.

• In coordination with the Director of Human Resources, communicates and assists employees regarding policies and procedures, benefits, programs, etc. and refers or escalates to the appropriate person.

• Facilitates the "Benefits" portion of new hire orientation (monthly).

• Assumes ownership of the open enrollment process (both for health care plans and FSA plans) including benefits fairs when possible.

• Provides new and terminating employees with benefit information. Conducts part of each exit interview and collects / maintains a sortable database documenting reasons for turnover. Completes COBRA processing.

• Processes and maintains all workers' compensation claims, FMLA leaves, and other leaves of absence.

• Works in tandem with payroll administrator to ensure that paid time off process in ADP are working properly including ensuring that special days off are coded correctly.

• Maintains employee benefit files, ensuring files are updated and accurate.

• Collects requested data for annual audit of health care benefits and the 403(b) plan.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to comprehend complex information in order to create queries, prepare reports, correspondence, benefit enrollment, coordinate information both manually and on the computer.

• Knowledge of and experience working within the regulations of the laws relevant to benefits and payroll administration, for example, HIPAA, Workers Compensation, FMLA, FICA, etc.

• Ability to organize and maintain manual and computerized filing systems

• Attention to detail for accurately preparing and maintaining accurate reports and reviewing the general ledger.

• Ability to concentrate because most of the duties involve calculations, proofreading, and review of benefit plan descriptions.

• Ability to deal with stressful situations in a calm manner in order to effectively communicate employee benefits, defuse disputes, and other related employment issues.

• Ability to maintain confidential information, such as employment, compensation and benefits, counseling, events, conversations, and bills.

• Ability to understand instructions for interpreting policies, benefit plans, employment laws, survey instructions, and developing computer procedures.

• Good math skills for managing health care spreadsheets, bills, surveys, and reports.

• Good memory skills for recalling dates, people, events, and records in order to retrieve information for reports and files.

• Ability to have a professional and neat appearance.

• Ability to set goals, prioritize and organize job tasks and workload in order to meet deadlines, ability to complete work in a timely manner and communicate progress routinely with the Director of HR.

• Ability to use a PC and software such as payroll, Windows, Microsoft Office (specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook) for preparing and processing payroll, queries, downloading computerized information, surveys, bills, and other types of correspondence. Ability to use ADP and EX for data management.

• Ability to operate commonly used office equipment such as a copy machine, fax, phone, etc.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with a wide variety of constituents.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, or related area and two years' experience in similar position.

• Two years of related experience.

• An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Physical Requirements:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

WORKING AT DU HAS ITS BENEFITS:

• Free tuition for your whole family

• Free tickets to Drury home sporting events

• Health and wellness benefits at extremely competitive rates

• Free use of onsite fitness center on Springfield campus

• Discounted meals and Drury merchandise on campus