Benefits Specialist at The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas

Job Description:

Position OverviewThe Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration of benefit programs offered by the state of Kansas, Kansas Board of Regents and KU, including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, health reimbursement accounts, basic and optional life insurance, long-term disability, KPERS (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System), state of Kansas Deferred Compensation Plan, the Kansas Board of Regents 403b Mandatory and Voluntary Retirement plans and other voluntary benefits offered to staff, faculty and graduate students at KU. Broad latitude is given to perform a variety of administrative functions under minimal direction from the Benefits Manager in a remote setting.Job Description40% - Benefits Administration

• Administer all benefit programs. Maintain accurate benefits records; prepare necessary documents to implement, change and/or terminate coverage; and enter data into various databases (MAP, KPERS, HR/Pay, Planwithease.com, UnitedHealthcare Partner Center, Empower Retirement) to ensure timely and accurate coverage and deductions. Assist in interpreting and implementing statutes, regulations, policies and procedures from federal and state government, the Board of Regents, KU, the State Employee Health Plan, KPERS, and the student insurance company that pertain to the various benefit programs.


• Use independent judgment to develop procedures and work methods to process employee benefit program elections, to analyze information to determine employee eligibility, to audit documentation and online operations, and to monitor employee enrollment through activation, change or termination of benefit coverage.


• Evaluate individual employee situations that are brought to Benefits Specialist's attention to determine and execute action required to solve problems or to facilitate changes or new enrollments or termination.


• Work with data in numerous formats to ensure employee enrollment, changes and terminations are handled appropriately. Use critical thinking skills to ensure that all data entered and migrated is accurate, timely and complete. Ensure all private employee data and information are handled and stored securely.


• Independently research issues with employee deductions and complete payroll adjustment transactions as necessary. Biweekly, monthly, and annually generate and manipulate reports to analyze data to determine eligibility and accuracy of payroll deductions for all benefits programs. Ensure deductions are accurate and meet IRS regulation for deduction balances.


• Ensure that the University remains in compliance with applicable regulations and policies. Failure to apply rules and regulations appropriately or manage benefit plans correctly can result in coverage lapses, paycheck errors, benefit plan denials, IRS code violations and/or uninformed employee decisions leading to financial and legal liabilities for the University.

35% - Employee Support

• Counsel employees regarding benefit programs at all stages of the employees life cycle. Assist employee to make changes in benefits due to domestic changes, and employment changes such as the impact to benefits when the employee goes on leave without pay, is approved for long-term disability; changes FTE or employment classification or terminates employment.


• Represent KU and the Department of Human Resources, often as a first point of contact, providing exceptional customer service in support of the University's mission.


• Communicate clearly with accurate and complete information to prospective employees, employees, retirees, family members, supervisors, department chairs, vendors, and others.


• Inform and educate faculty, staff, and graduate students by providing one-on-one counseling, through university-wide meetings, and presenting informational sessions as requested by departments or University sanctioned groups/committees.

15% - Administer the federal and state of Kansas Affordable Care Act provisions

• Utilize the third-party platform, with biweekly reports, to determine employee eligibility or trending eligibility for the SEHP, and HR/Pay queries. When eligibility is determined, communicate with the employee, the supervisor and the unit's budget officer the effective date, part or full-time status, update HR/Pay and ensure MAP is updated so SEHP enrollment is offered.


• Monthly, provide Excel files to inform impacted units about ACA status. During Open Enrollment, determine which employees will be newly eligible, continue to be eligible, will lose eligibility or experience change in part or full-time status and communicate with the affected employees.


• Respond to ACA-related questions from units and employees. Monitor employees with other state of Kansas employment to capture hours' information to input into HR/Pay.


• Troubleshoot any file issues with HR/Pay and IT and the third-party platform.

5% - Benefits Assistance for HR Onboarding Team and HR Partners

• Build relationships with HR Onboarding Team members and HR Partners.


• Provide expedited information and assistance, to address questions and employee concerns.


• Assist with training and ensuring updated benefits information is provided for the Onboarding Team and HR Partners.

5% - Other duties as assigned including, but not limited to:

• Monitor HR/Pay testing, system loads and interfaces for accuracy and compliance with benefits processes. Participate in analyzing problems and developing procedures for the benefits area.


• Provide HR Benefits recommendations on new system implementations and upgrades.


• Participate in team meetings and special projects such as Pre-Retirement Seminars, Open Enrollment activities and other online and in person events as needed.


• Assist with and provide support for Voluntary Retirement processes, KPERS Payroll and KU Payroll reporting duties as team support is needed. Become knowledgeable about all aspects of KU Benefits to be able to provide team support.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree or an Associate's degree and 2 years of related experience.


2. Demonstrated experience with MS Office products, particularly Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Professional experience with State Employee Health Plan and/or KPERS.


2. Professional HR Certification such as SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP.


3. Excel Intermediate Skills - Filter, Sort, Vlookup, and Conditional Formatting.


4. Demonstrated highly effective and professional interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.


5. Excellent customer service abilities with strong follow-up skills. Comfortable navigating difficult and/or challenging situations with composure and tact.


6. Must be team-oriented, possess a positive attitude and work well with others.


7. Experienced problem solver with proven success in solving difficult, multi-faceted problems.


8. Experience working efficiently and accurately under pay period and calendar year-end deadlines.

Additional Candidate InstructionsOnly complete online applications will be accepted. An application packet will include the following items:

1. A cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications;


2. A complete resume/CV


3. A list of 3 professional references.

Application deadline is Friday August 2nd, 2024. Please submit your completed application materials by August 1st, 2024 to ensure consideration.Contact Information to ApplicantsStephanie Wywadis Miller
steph@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range$51,600.00Application Review BeginsFriday August 2, 2024Anticipated Start DateMonday August 19, 2024Apply to Job

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