Benefits Specialist

Position Information

Benefits Specialist

Regular

full-time 40 hours weekly

Non-Exempt

$26.44 - $31.00

Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors.

The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Position Summary Information

The Benefits Specialist is a hands-on, detail-driven role responsible for the accurate, timely administration of Chapman University’s employee benefits programs — spanning enrollment,eligibility, tuition remission, and retirement processing.

Reporting to the Senior Benefits Manager, this role requires precision, sound judgment, and a strong customer-service orientation, as the Specialist is often an employee’s first pointof contact for benefits questions and transactions.

Serve as a primary resource for employees with benefits and retirement plan questions, providing guidance on enrollment, plan policies, eligibility, and contributions.

Chapman University’s mission is centered on serving our students and strengthening our campus community. Chapman believes there is significant value in an in-person workforce. Being present fosters collaboration, strengthens relationships across departments,enables us to better serve our co-workers and contributes to the student experience. It is an important part of the culture thatmakes Chapman a special place to work and learn.

• Process new-hire enrollments, terminations, benefit election changes, and qualifying life events (marriage, birth, divorce, lossof coverage), verifying supporting documentation for compliance.
• Verify eligibility for employees and dependents in accordance with plan rules and applicable regulations.
• Audit benefit enrollments for accuracy, proactively identifying and resolving discrepancies.
• Support all open enrollment activities

• Process retirement plan enrollments, changes, loans, hardship withdrawals, and distribution requests, coordinating with the plan vendor and ensuring compliance with plan documents and IRS regulations.
• Monitor employee contributions, employer match calculations,and vesting schedules for accuracy; reconcile contribution filesand payments with the plan recordkeeper on a regular basis.
• Support annual compliance activities, including nondiscrimination testing, 5500 audit preparation, and required employee notices.

• Perform tuition remission data entry and processing in accordance with university policy.
• Support processing biweekly and monthly insurance carrier datafeeds, ensuring accuracy and timely transmission.
• Verify, audit, and reconcile benefit invoices and process payments on schedule.
• Prepare and process payroll deduction forms, partnering with Payroll to ensure accuracy and timely corrections.

• Conduct proactive outreach to employees on leave of absence regarding benefit premiums and payment arrangements.
• Maintain accurate, well-organized, audit-ready benefit records and documentation.
• Partner with brokers and carriers to resolve employee issuesand discrepancies.
• Respond to employee inquiries in accordance with university standard operating procedures and compliance with federal and…