Rewards Specialist

Total Rewards Specialist

SCI

Summary:

SCI supports people with disabilities, behavioral challenges, medically complex needs, transitioning youth, the elderly, and other populations using Maryland Department of Health's Targeted Case Management and Supports Planning work models.

Position Summary:

The Total Rewards Specialist supports Team Member Operations (TMO) by serving as the primary analyst for benefits administration, HRIS processes, reporting, and total rewards systems. This role combines deep expertise in benefits operations with strong UKG and HRIS capabilities to ensure Team Members experience accurate, efficient, and people-first support. The Total Rewards Specialist is responsible for administering benefit programs, supporting HRIS configuration and troubleshooting, managing vendor interfaces, producing data and analytics, and driving process improvement initiatives.

This role serves as the key liaison between TMO, Payroll, IT, vendors, and shared HRIS resources to ensure the organization's people systems and total rewards programs operate effectively and compliantly. This role directly supports TMO's mission to deliver equitable compensation, competitive benefits, reliable People systems, and compliant processes through responsive service and data-driven solutions.

SCI Team Member Expectations:
All SCI Team Members are expected to:
Ensure services provided follow the organization's mission statement, core operating values and policies and procedures. Follow HIPAA, confidentiality and security procedures and principles; collaborate with peers, leadership, and support areas of the organization; actively participate in and contribute to leadership and other staff meetings and trainings; maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations; follow self-direction and person-centered planning procedures and philosophy;

and to foster a culture that values diversity.

Essential Duties:

• Administer and support all health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, accident, HSA, FSA, COBRA, wellness, and retirement programs
• Serve as primary point of contact for benefit-related Team Member inquiries and escalations
• Coordinate and process qualifying life events, new hire enrollments, terminations, retirements, and annual open enrollment changes
• Maintain accurate benefit plan setup, deductions, and eligibility rules within UKG
• Partner with vendors and brokers to resolve issues, including: o Care First Administrators o Guardian o Optum o Plan Source o Voya o PSA Insurance o UKG Managed Services
• Reconcile carrier invoices, payroll deductions, enrollment files, HSA/FSA funding, COBRA activity, and retirement deductions
• Support annual benefits renewal, open enrollment planning, communication testing, and post-enrollment audits
• Assist with the transition of wellness initiatives following the sunset of Burnalong and support future wellness program administration

HRIS / UKG Administration

• Serve as Team Member Operations' primary UKG Pro and UKG BI subject matter expert
• Configure and maintain benefit plans, deduction codes, workflows, eligibility rules, notifications, security roles, and reporting structures within UKG
• Manage and troubleshoot inbound and outbound file feeds between UKG and external vendors
• Identify, investigate, and resolve data discrepancies, integration failures, payroll errors, and system issues
• Create and maintain process documentation, testing scripts, desk procedures, and standard operating procedures

Reporting, Analytics & Cost Containment

• Develop and maintain recurring reports and dashboards using UKG BI, Excel, and other reporting tools
• Analyze trends related to: o Benefits enrollment o Claims and utilization o Per employee per month (PEPM) costs o Turnover and workforce demographics o Open enrollment participation o Vendor performance and service levels
• Support reporting and analytics for: o Total Rewards Committee o Claims Review Tiger Team o Leadership Team and Board presentations o Annual benefits renewal and plan modeling
• Assist with claims cost containment initiatives by tracking high-cost claimants,…