Benefits Specialist

Position Information

Position Information (Default Section)

EEO Statement

Wright State University, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, is committed to an inclusive environment and strongly encourages applications from minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Faculty Rank or Job Title Benefits Specialist Job Category: Administrative (exempt/non-exempt) Department Human Resources EEO number: 24P192 Position FTE

100%

Minimum Annual or Hourly Rate $50,000 Salary Band: UC S04 Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Benefits Specialist reports to the Director of Benefits and assists in the implementation and administration of the university's benefits programs. This position collects and analyzes aggregate benefits data, audits and processes benefits payments, and also supports the day-to-day work and communication needs of this Center of Excellence.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two years of full-time related work experience OR, an Associate's degree and four years of full-time related work experience OR, a high school diploma and six years of full-time related work experience.

• Integrity and judgement necessary to maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

• Good judgement, diplomacy and objectivity to effectively and appropriately make decisions.

• Ability to work effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.

• Advanced proficiency with Excel; able to develop what-if scenarios, pivot tables and lookup commands.

• Proven ability to act independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

• Demonstrated capability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.

• Aptitude to think critically and creatively.

• Experience creating and delivering presentations in PowerPoint or other applications.

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills with significant attention to detail.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Knowledge of federal benefits regulations (e.g. FMLA, ACA, Section 125, COBRA, HIPPA).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Higher Education.

• Extensive knowledge of MS Office suite programs.

Essential Functions and percent of time:

30% Benefit Information, Interactions, Communication and Tools

• Provide benefit counseling and assistance to both individual employees and groups.

• Continuously monitor and improve communication efforts (including videos, workflows, tools, etc.) focusing on clarity and customer understanding. Craft university-wide communications and maintain updates to the HR Benefits web pages and other communication forums.

• Develop and deliver presentations regarding benefit offerings, including conducting benefits presentation for new employee orientation.

• Participate in the coordination of large-scale benefits offerings (e.g. the annual benefits fair, annual flu shots, biometric screenings, open enrollment, pathway to retirement, etc.).

• Coordinate the Employee Assistance Program and facilitate vendor relationship with focus on employee awareness.
  25% Benefit Data, Reporting and Vendor Relationships

• Manage the tracking and timely processing of benefit vendor payments and maintain positive relationships with all benefit vendors.

• Ensure accuracy of vendor payments and address discrepancies through benefit audits and compliance reports. Monitor ACA eligibility and requisite benefit offering.

• Plan, test, and troubleshoot annual on-line open enrollment for healthcare benefits.

• Coordinate annual/quarterly meetings with benefits vendors. Participate in vendor selection process.

Essential Functions and percent of time (cont'd):

25% Leave Programs (FMLA, Military, Short and Long-Term Disability)

• Serve as liaison between employees, managers, and third-party administrators for all leaves of absence, including FMLA, military leave, and short-term/long-term disability leaves, including assisting employees with claim submission.

• Administer leave requests and facilitate vendor relationship with a focus on employee experience.

• Assist employees with short term and long-term disability claim submissions.

• Coordinate billing and remission of benefits payments for those employees on unpaid leaves.
  15% Retirement Plan Coordination

• Manage retirement election process associated with applicable state retirement options: OPERS, STRS, Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), 403(b) and 457(b).

• Assist employees and retirees with supplemental retirement plan transactions utilizing third-party administrator, including uploading payroll contribution files.

• Coordinate employee presentations with the various retirement vendors.
  5% Other duties as assigned

• Undertake other duties as assigned to assist in maintaining operations and/or agility goals.

Non-Essential Functions and percent of time: Working Conditions

Primarily an office role, but candidates should be comfortable in a variety of settings; required to interface effectively with all levels of the university workforce.

Wright State University, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, is committed to an inclusive environment and strongly encourages applications from minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities.

To preserve the safety and security of the campus community and to maintain the integrity of university operations, it is the policy of Wright State University to make an employment offer contingent on various background checks, such as a criminal record, credit history (when job related) and/or education verifications. Additionally, an administrative review shall be conducted whenever the university learns that an employee is charged with or convicted of a crime (except for minor vehicle violations). Frequently asked questions related to background checks may be found on the Human resources website at http://www.wright.edu/human-resources.

Effective July 1, 2017, per Policy 7230, Wright State University is tobacco-free. Tobacco use, including the sale, advertising sampling and distribution of tobacco products and tobacco related items is prohibited in all university facilities, on all university owned or leased grounds, university owned or operated residence halls and apartments, and at all university sponsored events regardless of location. Tobacco use is also prohibited in all university vehicles or on any equipment owned, leased or operated by Wright State University. This policy applies to anyone on campus including students, faculty, staff, visitors, consultants, vendors, patients, volunteers, and contractor employees.

Special Instructions to Applicants Posting Date 04/23/2024 First Consideration Date: 05/06/2024 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes