Benefits Specialist

20467BR

Human Resource Management

Position Overview

The University of Kansas seeks a Benefits Specialist to assist with the administration of benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, basic and optional life insurance, long-term disability, KPERS (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System), state of Kansas Deferred Compensation Plan, the Kansas Board of Regents 403b Mandatory and Voluntary Retirement plans, and other voluntary benefits offered to staff, faculty and graduate students at KU. This position actively engages with all employees to advise and manage benefit selections, and aids with any discrepancies.  This position works collaboratively in a team environment to ensure that the University’s total reward objectives are met.  Broad latitude is given to perform a variety of administrative functions under minimal direction from the Benefits Manager in a remote setting.

Job Description

40% - Administer benefit programs, such as health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans. Maintains accurate benefits records; prepares necessary documents to implement, change and/or terminate coverage; and enters data into various databases (MAP, KPERS, HR/Pay, Planwithease.com, UnitedHealthcare Partner Center, Empower Retirement) to ensure timely and accurate coverage and deductions.  Assists in interpreting and implementing statutes, regulations, policies and procedures from federal and state government, the Board of Regents, KU, the State Employee Health Plan, KPERS, and the student insurance company  that pertain to the various benefit programs.

• Follows policy and procedures while using individual acumen in analyzing information to determine employee eligibility, audit documentation requirements, monitor employee enrollment through activation, change or termination of benefit coverage.
• Evaluates individual employee situations to determine and execute solutions facilitating benefit changes, new enrollments, or termination.
• Manages data in numerous formats to ensure employee enrollment, changes and terminations are addressed according to policies, procedures and required deadlines. Ensures all employee data and information are handled confidentially and stored securely. 
• Research employee deductions and complete payroll adjustment transactions as necessary. Generates and works reports to analyze data to determine eligibility and accuracy of payroll deductions.
• Works as a collaborative team member within the Benefits Unit, Human Resource Management and Payroll to ensure continuity, accuracy, and efficiency for all employee supported benefit programs.
• Ensure that the University remains in compliance with applicable regulations and policies.  

- Counsel employees regarding benefit programs including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision insurance; voluntary insurance offerings; Basic Group and Optional Group Life Insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA); Kansas Board of Regents Mandatory and Voluntary retirement plans; KPERS and the 457 Deferred Compensation retirement plans; long-term disability; and the impact to benefits when the employee goes on leave without pay or terminates employment.

• Represents KU and the Department of Human Resource Management, often as a first point of contact, providing exceptional customer service in support of the University's mission.   Provide clear, accurate and complete information to employees, family members, supervisors, department chairs, vendors, and others.
• Inform and educate faculty, staff, and graduate students by providing one-on-one counseling, through university-wide meetings/trainings, and presenting informational sessions as requested by departments or University sanctioned groups/committees.

- Administration of Graduate Student Health Insurance (GSHI) Program 

• Serve as lead contact for GSHI questions and issues via email and phone; respond to students and departments timely with accurate information; research complex questions and consult with HRM colleagues and supervisors when necessary.
• Determine eligibility for subsidized GSHI coverage by coordinating with HR/Pay, campus departments, and the insurance company for domestic graduate students. 
• Counsel students, faculty, and departmental personnel on GSHI benefits and eligibility and refer them to the appropriate resources if deemed ineligible for subsidized GSHI.
• Determine eligibility for subsidized GSHI coverage by working collaboratively with International Support Services, coordinating with HR/Pay, campus departments, and the insurance company for domestic and international graduate students.  Process department subsidy in HR/Pay timely and accurately and handle any discrepancies identified.
• Research student issues and work collaboratively with the insurance company on the resolution, while maintaining accurate and timely communication with the graduate student on the status of their issue.

-   Cross training of all HRM Benefits tasks

• Assist with and provide support for voluntary retirement processes, KPERS Payroll and KU Payroll reporting duties as needed.  Become knowledgeable in all aspects of KU Benefits to be able to provide team support.

- Other duties as assigned including, but not limited to: 

• Monitor HR/Pay testing, system loads and interfaces for accuracy and compliance with benefits processes. Participate in analyzing problems and developing procedures in the benefits area.
• Provide HRM Benefits recommendations on new system implementations and upgrades.
• Participate in team meetings and special projects such as Pre-Retirement Seminars, Open Enrollment activities and Retirement Luncheon events as needed.

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Contact Information to Applicants

Melissa Cole
[email protected]

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete application consists of:

A cover letter addressing how required qualifications are met
Resume
3 Professional References

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Application review will begin Monday, November 1st and will remain open until a qualified pool of candidates has been identified.

Advertised Salary Range

$40,000- $42,000

Application Review Begins

01-Nov-2021

Anticipated Start Date

29-Nov-2021

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Job Family

Administrative/Management-KUL

Work Location Assignment

Hybrid

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).