Specialist, Benefits

The Specialist, Benefits is a full-time, 12-month position responsible to the Director, Employee Relations, Governance & Compliance. The Specialist, Benefits has responsibilities administering several key areas within TJC Human Resources including:  Leave of absence, Workers’ Compensation, and unemployment benefits. The position will also assist with benefits administration, FMLA and HR data management and recordkeeping.

Essential Functions and Duties

Primary Responsibilities
Leaves of Absence

• Administer all aspects of staff and faculty leave of absences to include tracking of employees and time used.
• Assist with Family Medical Leave Act administration.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all leave-related inquiries from employees and managers.
• Maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the employees’ medical documentation and leave information.
• Generate reports on leave usage and trends as requested.

Workers’ Compensation/Unemployment Benefits

• Receive and process accident reports and workers’ compensation claims.
• Work closely with department staff and managers to facilitate reporting work-related illnesses and injuries.
• Establish and maintain contact with injured employees and provide assistance with claims and obtaining health care.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents as required including Workers’ Compensation records and confidential medical certifications.
• Communicate with workers’ compensation insurance carrier, doctors, nurses, departments, and health care providers to enable appropriate processing of claims.
• Process unemployment claims with appropriate documentation and review monthly unemployment statements.

Secondary Responsibilities
HR Data Management & Recordkeeping

• Assist with filing employee documents.
• Research unclear information as needed.
• Complete employee information changes such as address, telephone and personal status in HRIS.
• Assist with research and responses for Open Records requests.

Benefits Administration 

• Assist with administration various employee benefits programs, such as group health, , dental and vision, accident and disability, life insurance, retirement plans, and wellness benefits.
• Maintain employee benefits filing systems and ensure benefits changes are entered appropriately in payroll system for payroll deduction.
• Assist employees with health, dental, life and other related benefit inquiries.
• Assist Benefits & Retirement Programs Manager in completing benefits reporting requirements.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Competencies
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word, email and other software applications as required.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in verbal and written communications.
• Must be accurate and thorough.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in prioritizing and time-managing work.

 

Qualifications

Required Education

• Associate’s degree and three (3) or more years’ experience in leave administration, Workers’ Compensation administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Experience

• Superior customer service skills, with effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years’ experience with leave administration, Workers’ Compensation administration, and benefits administration.
• Broad working knowledge of federal, state, and local leaves and disability laws.

 

Supplemental Information

 

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• Will have contact – in person, by email, or by phone – with staff, students, and the general public.
• Must exhibit a sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and to staff and students with disabilities.
• Regular and punctual attendance is an essential function of each employee.