Benefits Specialist Manager

KPERS•Topeka, KS

1d•$89,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist Manager plays a vital role in supporting KPERS staff throughout the entire employee lifecycle — from onboarding to retirement. This advanced professional position ensures employees receive clear, timely, and accurate information regarding benefits, FMLA, the Shared Leave Program, ADA considerations, and other essential HR processes. As a lead resource within the Human Resources team, this individual helps build a positive employment experience and supports staff, supervisors, and managers with high‑quality service and guidance. This role is ideal for an organized, relationship‑driven HR professional with strong technical knowledge of benefits administration and a genuine commitment to helping employees.

Requirements

Five years of human resources experience, preferably in a benefits‑focused role.
A degree in business administration, human resources, public administration, or related field may be substituted for two years of the required experience.
Strong understanding of employee benefits, leave programs, and retirement systems.
Proficiency with the State of Kansas benefits package and SHARP.
Knowledge of FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and Kansas Administrative Regulations.
Ability to apply and explain policies, regulations, and procedures.
Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
Ability to empathize and support employees with professionalism and care.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices.
Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, and other Office products.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to reconcile figures accurately and resolve discrepancies.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Commitment to exceptional customer service.

Nice To Haves

PHR or SHRM certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate the onboarding process to ensure a smooth transition for new employees.
Schedule first‑day activities with supervisors, IT, and HR staff.
Accurately create or update new employee records in SHARP and benefit enrollment portals.
Administer the State of Kansas employee benefits package, including health, life, dental, vision, FSAs/HSAs, and retirement programs.
Serve as liaison between employees and the State Employee Health Plan.
Provide guidance on eligibility, life events, continuation of coverage, and benefit changes.
Coordinate benefit enrollment for new employees and updates for current employees throughout their employment.
Lead the annual open enrollment process, including planning, communications, informational sessions, tracking, and issue resolution.
Notify employees of changes that may impact their benefits.
Provide guidance to staff regarding retirement and resignation processes.
Assist with questions about retirement benefits, continuation of insurance, deferred compensation, leave payouts, and offboarding requirements.
Coordinate offboarding steps with supervisors and IT.
Assist the Human Resources Officer in administering FMLA, including notifications, form review, approvals/denials, and leave tracking.
Administer the Shared Leave Program, including reviewing applications and tracking approved leave usage.
Identify potential workplace accommodation needs and communicate them to the Human Resources Officer.
Provide guidance to employees and supervisors regarding HR processes, policies, and conflict resolution.
Assist with applicant tracking, interview scheduling, candidate communications, and participation on interview panels.
Ensure understanding and adherence to Equal Employment Opportunity requirements.
Provide backup support for payroll, time and leave processing, contract staff payments, database record management, personnel files, organizational chart updates, and phone list maintenance.
Complete special assignments and projects that support HR operations and contribute to excellent customer service across the agency.