Benefits Specialist - State Prog Admin Sr

Working Title:

Benefits Specialist Job Class:
State Program Administrator Senior

• Job
• Location:
  
  St. Paul
• Telework Eligible:
  Yes
• Full/Part Time:
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary:
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply:
  Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 02/19/2026
• Closing Date: 03/02/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:
  Minnesota Management & Budget / Confidential
• Division/Unit:
  Enterprise Employee Resources / Enrollment & Benefits
• Work Shift/
  
  Work Hours:
  
  Day Shift
• Days of Work:
  Monday - Friday
• Travel Required:
  
  No
• Salary Range: $27.84 - $40.82 / hourly; $58,129 - $85,232 / annually
• Classified Status:
  Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 217 - Commissioner's Plan
• FLSA Status:
  Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities:
  Yes

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) is seeking a Benefits Specialist to provide insurance and benefit related services to state employees, their dependents, and retirees. This position will serve as a subject matter expert, making recommendations on policies and procedures that support the functions of enrollment, billing, payroll, and benefits services. This position will assist agency human resources staff in effectively carrying out employee insurance responsibilities, interpreting and advising on policies so they are administered in a uniform way that complies with program requirements and bargaining unit contracts.

• Serving as initial contact for employees, their dependents, former employees, and retirees to explain provisions of insurance policies, labor contracts, and applicable laws
• Coordinating and developing internal processes and procedures for data entry, training, enrollment, and eligibility
• Providing information, guidance, recommendations, direction, and problem‑solving support to agency HR representatives
• Auditing benefits applications to ensure compliance with insurance and bargaining unit contracts
• Reviewing and processing disability claims
• Enrolling qualified beneficiaries in COBRA consistent with federal law and Minnesota statute
• Provide recommendations, direction, and oversight to lower‑level staff regarding complex employee insurance policies and procedures

Telework options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. With approval, employees that live within 50 miles from the primary work location may telework up to 50%. Employees that live 50 miles or more from the primary location and live in Minnesota may telework more than 50% with approval.

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Candidates must clearly demonstrate all the following qualifications on their resume. Resume tips are available here.

• Two (2) years of experience administering employee insurance benefits (medical, dental, pre‑tax, disability, etc.), including enrollment, determining eligibility, payroll, and billing
• Analysis skills sufficient to interpret and understand laws, policies, and standard principles of group insurance (enrollment, billing, payroll, and eligibility) and find discrepancies
• Navigating a human resource information system (HRIS) sufficient to enter data and transactions, run reports, and troubleshoot errors (examples of HRIS include Oracle/People Soft, Workday, ADP, Bamboo
  
  HR, etc.)
• Computer skills sufficient to draft and send professional emails, documents, and reports; proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, database, and email software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Communication skills sufficient to convey complex and/or sensitive information to a variety of audiences, including state employees, MMB staff and leadership, and HR representatives
• Customer service skills sufficient…