Benefits & Leaves Advisor

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Benefits & Leaves Advisor plays a crucial role in assisting faculty and staff in navigating complex benefit and leave options to support informed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides guidance and support to employees regarding benefits options, enrollment, and eligibility for retirement savings, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, childcare assistance, and flexible spending accounts.
• Consults with employees and managers on leave requests, including medical leaves, maternity/paternity leaves, and other personal or family-related leaves.
• Advises on UMass Chan leave policies and procedures in accordance with applicable federal and state employment laws, including but not limited to, the Family and Medical Leave Act, MA Paid Family and Medical Leave, Workers Compensation, military leave, jury duty, and other leaves of absence.
• Understands and informs on transition to retirement including Medicare eligibility and post-retirement options.
• Assists with developing educational materials and delivering comprehensive benefits presentations to improve utilization and general understanding of company benefits.
• Consults with family/beneficiary of deceased employees regarding benefits including beneficiary retirement accounts, life insurance, and survivor health insurance options.
• Collaborates with the Leaves Specialist and Benefits administration group. This position has a dual reporting relationship to the Manager, Benefits and Director, Employee & Labor Relations.
• Assist Leave Specialist with processing of Worker’s Compensation Claims
• Assist Leave Specialist and leave administration vendor with processing and administration of leaves of absence.
• Recommends procedure improvements and assists with ways to improve the leave of absence process and benefits administration.
• Maintains confidentiality and safeguards department records and other sensitive information.
• Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 3-5 years of related HR/Benefits experience. Previous experience administering and communicating benefits plans and/or Employee Leave Process including FMLA in a large and complex organization.
• Working knowledge of Family Medical Leave Act, and MA Paid Family Medical Leave law, including the application and approval process.
• Demonstrated initiative and independent judgment when carrying out duties.
• Computer literate and highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and PeopleSoft.
• Strong time management and organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to multitask and consistently meet deadlines.
• Possesses well developed attention to detail, ability to maintain accurate records and excellent proofreading skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Demonstrated initiative through past experience.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding employee personal information.