Benefits Specialist

Department: Human Resources Salary: Commensurate with education and experience.

Description:

The Benefits Specialist plays a key role in supporting UHCL employees by administering the university’s benefits, leave, and retirement programs. This position ensures employees receive accurate information, timely support, and a positive customer service experience regarding health insurance, life and disability coverage, retirement, and leave benefits. The Benefits Specialist also ensures compliance with federal, state, and university regulations while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.

Duties:

• Administers Family and Medical Leave Act benefits, including the use of disability and leave pool benefits as they relate. Informs employees of FMLA rights and responsibilities; determines if eligible and qualified for FMLA and approves; tracks use of leave and use of FML hours; initiates ePAR's to place employees on leave and to return to work; maintains accurate records and ensures the confidentiality of medical information. Coordinates other leave requests per policy.
• Serves as university liaison to insurance and retirement carriers and agents regarding employee elections and changes; researches salary, service, and retirement history for compliance with related regulations; coordinates leaves of absence without pay and administers the insurance self pay provision; processes disability and death claims; handles termination of benefits and processes service retirements.
• Provides benefit-related information for new employee orientation and other benefit-related training offered to University employees.
• Assists employees with workers' compensation claims and files required forms with appropriate university offices and the State Office of Risk Management.
• Processes tuition reimbursement, college release, and fitness release time programs including approving applications, maintaining electronic tracking, tracks and administers Wellness Leave and performs related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or related field.
• Four years of benefits related experience in higher education or a state agency.
• Experience working with PeopleSoft or other HRIS platform.
• Bilingual - English/Spanish

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of FMLA, Workers Compensation, TRS, and related state and federal benefit laws.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a customer-focused and professional demeanor.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Must have a strong initiative and the ability to work independently with a proactive nature.
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office products and HRIS systems.
• Must have strong problem solving skills with the ability to meet competing deadlines under pressure while maintaining accuracy with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with initiative and a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and efficient working relationships with all levels of staff and faculty.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.