Benefits Specialist II

Job Title

Benefits Specialist II

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Benefit Services

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,936.67 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

A Glimpse of the Job

The Human Resources Specialist II (Benefit Specialist II) is responsible for providing benefits support and education to include assistance with initial enrollment, qualified life events, open enrollment, retirement and all other benefit programs.

Essential Duties and Tasks:

Benefit and Retirement Customer Service

• Provide knowledge of principles and processes for responding to customer inquiries.
• Answer and triage customer requests and inquiries by telephone, email, and/or service ticketing system related to benefits, retirement programs and internal HR Benefits activities.
• Research questions and provide appropriate response to benefit inquiries.
• Collaborates with System office contacts, facilitate the resolution of coverage issues and disputes between retirees, employees and benefit vendors.
• Identify service problems and develop and propose solutions.
• Reviews and modifications of records in Workday as needed.

 

Benefit Administration

• Understands and able to explain all group health insurance plans including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and Life and AD&D.
• Ensures proper enrollment of all new employees to group health insurance plans and annual open enrollment process for employees and retirees.
• Determines eligibility for benefits, applying for coverage, making changes, and answering questions.
• Exercises independent judgment and discretion in educating employees about benefits and processing benefit-related tasks on behalf of employees.
• Provides responsive, customer focused processing of Workday tasks for university employees, graduate assistants, Fellows, retirees and/or surviving dependents regarding group insurance benefit options including new employee enrollment, open enrollment, retirement, and other life events affecting insurance decisions.
• Provides consult and education in the areas of benefit changes, open enrollment, death claims, long term disability, disability retirement, benefit eligibility, workday tasks, and other benefit provisions.
• Responds appropriately to customer needs via phone, email, or in person visits when issues arise.

 

Support, Training, and Engagement

• Participates in Benefit Services, department and division meetings and events.
• Provides communications on open enrollment, retirement meetings, and new hire benefit orientation programs.
• Backs up leadership and team member as needed.
• Presents at various workshops and new hire orientations.
• Attends Benefits Partner and HUB meetings.
• Conducts special one-on-one retirement and onboarding meetings.
• Serves as a knowledgeable contact on Benefit Services team.
• Leads projects as needed.

 

What you need to know

Salary: $59,240 annually

Special Instructions: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended. You may upload these in the CV/Resume section.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Three years of related experience.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences or HR-related field.
• Experience in employee benefits administration or related area.
• Working knowledge of group benefits such as medical, dental, vision, prescription drug and retirement plans and/or customer service.
• Experience working with Payroll and Payroll systems.
• Experience in Workday or other HRIS application programs.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft programs, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and programs related to leave administration and retirement programs.
• Solid demonstrated knowledge of: HIPAA, FMLA, LTD, ADA, COBRA, FSA, USERRA Life Insurance Plans, and 403(b) and 457(b) enrollment.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others to identify and communicate solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments with consistency.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM- CP, SHRM- SCP, CEBS or any other Human Resources and or Benefits-related certifications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.  
• Ability to multitask.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work as a team member and cooperate with others.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and work ethic.
• Customer service oriented.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to organize and make decisions.
• Knowledge of human resources principles and state and federal law.
• Exhibit punctuality by arriving to work and scheduled events on time.
• Ability to actively demonstrates the TAMU Core Values - Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Respect, Selfless Service 

Other Requirements and Factors:

• This position is security sensitive.
• This position may require up to 5% or more travel.
• This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU regulations and procedures. 
• Works to cover shifts, or take emergency call, on evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
• All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System requirements.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.