Benefits Specialist I

University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Be a part of One Great Team—collaborative, resourceful, intentional, and impact-driven. As a Benefits Specialist I, you’ll be more than a policy expert—you’ll be a trusted guide, a problem-solver, and a values-driven leader. You’ll help employees navigate the complexities of leave programs, while also contributing to strategic initiatives that shape the future of our HR services. The Benefit Specialist plays a pivotal role in enhancing the employee experience at the University of Texas at Austin by engaging with employees and leaders during the employment lifecycle. This position is ideal for problem-solvers and independent workers who thrive in a dynamic environment. This role contributes to fostering a collaborative environment within Human Resources and the employees, retirees, and surviving spouses we support.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, human resources, psychology, sociology, industrial labor relations, and/or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in addressing employee’s benefit and/or leave management needs directly with the employee.
• Ability to manage competing, high priority demands, prioritizing workload, managing projects and multiple responsibilities against strict deadlines.
• Ability to analyze data, trends, and insights to identify the root cause of the event.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and ability to influence.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential situations with objectivity.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Prior benefits and leave experience in a higher education setting.
• Bilingual Spanish speaking and writing.
• Knowledge of federal and Texas state labor laws.

Responsibilities

• Engage with employees to provide solutions to their insurance, retirement, and leave options.
• Serve as a liaison to manage and resolve issues.
• Administer and support employees with leave of absence programs such as sick leave, short- and long-term disability, and FMLA.
• Promote knowledge, understanding, and compliance about our benefits and leave policies through coaching, presentations, and facilitating training sessions.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of all government regulations and laws and advise employees on company policy, guidelines, and documentation requirements.
• Maintain positive employee relations with central Human Resources units, insurance carriers, retirement providers, campus Human Resources contacts, and leadership while delivering compassionate customer service.
• Work on projects and reports to audit transactions and improve workflow efficiencies.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning, plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program, including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level