Benefits Specialist

Job Description Summary

The Benefits Specialist will be responsible for the daily administration of employee benefits offered through the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas Board of Regents, and the State of Kansas. Particularly, benefit programs such as health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving and health reimbursement accounts, life insurance, and retirement plans.

HR Benefits & Total Rewards

Benefits & Total Rewards

Benefits Specialist

Professional Staff

• Understand and provide effective communication of benefit plans and information to customers
• Provide excellent customer service to all employees; be proactive in anticipating needs, go beyond expectations and deliver excellent results.
• Manage intake items and requests for benefit services. Respond to questions/inquiries in a timely, professional manner.
• Participate in the administration of benefit programs such as health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving and health reimbursement accounts. Proactively communicate benefit status changes to employees as result of a qualifying event, etc.
• Counsel employees regarding State of Kansas retirement, deferred compensation and other benefit programs.
• Participate in the administration of employee benefit plans including life insurance, long term disability insurance, the Kansas Board of Regents tax-sheltered annuity retirement plans, the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) defined benefit pension and deferred compensation plans. Process new KPERS enrollments through the KPERS portal, as well as verify and submit adjustments.
• Process and manage benefit information (i.e., updates) in the appropriate HR system(s) of record. Routinely monitor the MAP portal dashboard so that it is current and up to date.
• Assist in the planning, and participate in open enrollment, new hire orientations and other benefit-related, educational workshops and seminars for faculty and staff. Partner and foster positive relationships with benefit vendors/providers.
• Process benefit terminations in the HR system(s) of record and distribute termination letters.
• Assist with website updates/upgrades in terms of benefit-related content.

This position 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. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position will be a combination of in-office and remote work. The primary work location is at the Kansas City campus but may be asked to go to other campuses as needed.

• Four years of experience in Human Resources, business, or a closely related field. Education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience with federal and state laws/regulations impacting benefits administration.
• Experience presenting benefits information to various audiences.

• HR certification in benefits administration (i.e., CBP) is desirable.

• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience with Workday.

• Communication, both oral and written.
• Computer Skills, Microsoft Office.
• Time Management.
• Attention to Detail.

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment.

A retirement program with a generous…