Human Resources Benefits Specialist

Required Application Materials

A single PDF or Word document containing a resume, letter of interest, and a list of the names and contact information for three (3) professional references is required to apply.

Important Instructions:

When prompted to upload your “resume”, upload your combined documents as one file.

• Please do not upload documents to “Cover Letter” or “References”.

If the required application materials were not uploaded at the “resume” prompt, please withdraw your application, and re-apply to upload your combined documents as one file.

Job Summary

Responsible for providing professional-level customer service support and assist with coordinating all aspects employee benefits, retirement and leave programs for the University. This role ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, maintains accurate records, and provides exceptional service to employees regarding their benefits, retirement and leave needs.

Major Responsibilities/Duties/Critical Tasks

Serve as a subject matter expert for all employee benefits programs, including health, welfare, and retirement plans. Respond and help with benefit inquiries.

Responsible for coordinating new employee orientation and activities such as ORP acknowledgement notifications as needed and research employee transfers and validating transfer reasons from outgoing university or state agency.

Manage the Benefit Administration System (BAS) Activity Table in PeopleSoft to ensure timely event processing while adhering to payroll deadline dates. Process death claims, assist beneficiaries with life insurance policies, and enroll surviving dependents in benefit coverage.

Assist with the administration of the My UT Benefits (BenefitFocus) and Affordable Care Act compliance (Tango) platforms; ensure monthly process runs successfully, review data anomalies and variances, reconciliations and update employee data.

Assist with specific leave administration programs, such as the sick and family leave pools and emergency leave as well as the associated documentation and procedures. Manage Family Medical Leave (FML) and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, address employee inquiries, track cases timely, and oversee related PeopleSoft Absence Management processes.

Support the offboarding and clearance process by preparing applicable benefits and retirement plan information. Counsel employees on retirements benefits and eligibility. Schedule and assist with retirement preparation meetings and distribute retiree benefit materials.

Assist with coordination and plans for annual enrollment activities. Facilitate benefit-related training on topics including health benefits and retirement planning.

Conducts regular audits to ensure information is correct and work with Payroll and other constituents to correct errors in the system, especially during semi and monthly payrolls. Assist Lead HR Generalist with running, reviewing, and auditing reports to ensure accuracy and resolve any discrepancies. Identify and implement processes for ensuring and confirming data integrity and accuracy of system entries.

Provide support for system upgrades, enhancements, testing, validation, and overall performance.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

Two (2) years of experience in benefits, retirement, leave administration or other related Human Resources experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Experience obtained in Health Services, Higher Education, or entity offering Teacher Retirement System benefits preferred.
  
• Experience with TRS/ORP preferred.

Accompanying Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written.

Ability to interact effectively and professionally with the public and the University community.

Must be able to plan, organize, and prioritize work and perform tasks accurately.

• High attention to detail.

About The University of Texas at Tyler and UT Tyler Health Science Center

The University of Texas at Tyler is part of the prestigious University of Texas System that includes 14 institutions located throughout the state. Founded in 1971, UT Tyler today enrolls 10,000 students and consists of six colleges.

Designated an R2 research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, UT Tyler supports our surrounding region through innovation intended to uplift communities, spearhead sustainability initiatives, preserve ecosystems and support entrepreneurship. UT Tyler has the highest Carnegie classification in East Texas.

Providing exceptional patient care, comprehensive education and innovative research, The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas combine to serve as the university medical center for Northeast Texas and beyond.

For more information, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/about.

Additional Information

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code Section 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

For more information regarding benefits offered by UT Tyler, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/offices/human-resources/employees/benefits.

Clinical Position Requirements

Clinical positions may be required to complete a pre-employment health screening, following a contingent job offer, to determine whether they possess the physical capabilities needed to safely fulfill the specific demands of the position. Additionally, clinical positions require compliance with the University’s Vaccine Preventable Disease Policy.

EEO Statement

The University of Texas at Tyler is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.