Benefits Specialist - The University System of New Hampshire : Job Details

Benefits Specialist

The Benefits Specialist is a member of HR Shared Services who facilitates the administration of the full life cycle of all leaves for USNH staff and faculty including one or a combination of the following: FMLA, STD, LTD, Military Leaves, Workers Compensation and paid/unpaid personal leaves. This position will work to develop best practices and monitor workload to efficiently manage employee leaves of absence in accordance with university policies and federal and state leave regulations. They will provide instruction, guidance and excellent customer service to employees, managers and HR colleagues. The Benefits Specialist will also provide customer support to employees with various benefit related issues, concerns or requests for service in accordance with University System-wide policies regarding assigned benefits programs, while maintaining a very high degree of confidentiality.

Duties/Responsibilities

Leave of Absence Process Support (30%)

Develops best practice recommendations and provides facilitation of Leave of Absence programs including but not limited to FMLA, Disability, Parental, Workers Compensation and Military Leave for HR Shared Services. Directs incoming leave cases as instructed by Executive Director and alerts Executive Director to capacity concerns. Advises and trains managers, employees and HR colleagues on the interaction of leave laws with USNH paid and unpaid benefits including variations to USNH policies in accordance with collectively bargained agreements. Maintains knowledge and ensures compliance with applicable leave laws including the FMLA, ADA, state/local laws. Seeks guidance from Executive Director and/or General Counsel on complicated cases and/or interpretation of laws and regulations. Primary point of contact for leave administration vendor partners for the ongoing development of process efficiencies, alignment with administrative services agreement and payment of invoices. Regularly reviews and makes recommendations for updates to USNH benefits policies, procedures and other applicable documentation.

Leave of Absence Administration (30%)

Communicates with employees regarding their needs for leave, ensuring that employees have eligibility information and know how to request leave and/or file a claim with the respective vendor for the type of leave they are seeking. Ensure that the employee understands their responsibilities and any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave. Coordinates with leave administration vendor partners in the approval, processing and tracking of leaves. Maintain simultaneous leave records, generate leave-related letters, process leave transactions in the HCM system, update any other internal systems as necessary, and manage communications with employees, their departments and their HR Business Partner. Maintains complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices. Preserves confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.

Employee Benefits Administration (25%)

Support all employees with inquiries and concerns related to the USNH Benefits Programs, including medical, dental, vision insurance, and retirement savings plan, by responding to tickets, phone call and/or walk-ins in a timely and efficient manner. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of all USNH Benefits. Escalate concerns that are outside scope, complicated or highly sensitive to subject matter experts or Executive Director, as appropriate. Assist employees with claims issues by directing them to client services teams and monitor ongoing issues for timely resolution at the vendor level. Participates in assigned New Hire Orientations by presenting benefit information and ensuring that employees are enrolled in benefit programs on a timely basis. Updates orientation materials in conjunction with any relevant benefit plan changes or enhancements. Provide follow-up and one-on-one with new hire questions and difficulty navigating through enrollment (insurance and retirement plans). Facilitates the annual Benefit Fair(s) for one or more assigned locations, including room set up, greeting guests, providing and presenting information sessions and by assisting employees with the online enrollment process. Support HR Colleagues on campus wide, educational employee benefit programs and events, as requested.

Project Support (15%)

Represents HR Benefits and Shared Services as a subject matter expert on special projects, as assigned. Including, but not limited to, USNH system-wide projects, request for proposals (RFPs), implementations of new systems and technologies, and other strategic initiatives as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree and 3 years of professional experience in HR or a related field, Associate degree and 5 years of experience, or any combination of higher education and experience equivalent to 7 years.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of the leave requirements and other legal protections afforded by the FLSA, FMLA, ADA, workers compensation and other applicable laws.
• Working knowledge of state leave and employment laws, focus on those in New Hampshire and neighboring New England States.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate with all levels of the organization including making presentations.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated successful process improvement skills.
• Proven follow-through skills to complete tasks, projects and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and multi-task in a high-volume environment while maintaining a strong attention to detail.

Other Requirements:

• Experience with HCM and Time and Leave Management systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Workday HCM. Management or coordination of 3rd party vendors.

Applicant instructions: Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application:

• Resume/CV

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement: The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Location: Durham

Salary Grade: Exempt Staff 19