Benefits Specialist (Inst)

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Benefits Processing Manager, the Benefits Specialist I (Inst) position in the Office of Human Resources will be responsible for being a subject matter expert in benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement savings and flexible spending. In addition, to understanding and identifying qualifying events related to these benefits. The candidate will research, analyze, and process employee enrollments to provide accurate guidance with excellent customer service at all times. They will understand payroll processing schedules to meet weekly deduction and contribution deadlines. Additionally, the candidate will have excellent computer, communication and customer service skills; including use of Microsoft products, Sharepoint and virtual platforms (examples include MS Teams, WebEx, Zoom). They are driven by routine daily work including but not limited to review, entry and analysis of benefits enrollments, discrepancy and eligibility reports. The candidate will have the ability to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment, a strong work ethic, motivated to succeed and be a team-player who also works well independently. This position will be on site a minimum of two days per week, with the ability to work remotely up to three days per week.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience creating and analyzing reports
• 3+ years of providing excellent customer service
• Ability to quickly learn and use new technology
• Takes full responsibility and ownership of all work assignments to meet and/or exceed deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and work with confidential data
• Ability to work up to 4 late nights (approx. 10:30 pm - 2:00 am) per year to support 3rd shift employees
• Ability to use spreadsheets and word processing software (Word, Excel, etc.)
• High School Diploma or equivalent required

Nice To Haves

• 3+ years of HR experience
• 2+ years of experience administering a variety of benefit plans (medical, life, retirement, etc)
• Experience process benefits enrollments or analyzing eligibility
• Experience working with Benefitsfocus and/or Employee Trust Funds
• Experience working with a diverse population of employees and job types (examples include shift employees, union and non-union, employees with differing degrees of education and backgrounds) and job types (such as blue collar to executive, public sector and private sector)
• Experience using Workday

Responsibilities

• Develops and facilitates employee benefit trainings and associated resources and materials
• Serves as a unit subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing complex benefit information
• Receives, processes, and audits benefit enrollments and changes according to established policies and procedures
• Identifies opportunities for operational improvements and recommends changes to leadership
• Receives, responds to, and resolves complex employee benefits questions, feedback and problems from employees, HR leadership, and campus partners through various mediums
• Advises current and prospective employees and human resources staff on benefit eligibility, options, and applicable timelines according to established policies and procedures
• Researches eligibility and enrollment rules, plan documents, contract statutes, and administrative codes to provide correct benefit resources and materials to human resources professionals and employees

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED