Coordinator I - Benefits Specialist **1 Vacancy**

Proviso Township High Schools District 209 • Forest Park, IL

243d • $104,613 - $141,535

About The Position

The Coordinator I - Benefits Specialist serves as a key member of the district leadership team, responsible for the comprehensive administration, compliance, and strategic oversight of all employee benefit programs within the District. This position ensures the effective delivery and communication of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, fringe benefits, retirement systems, and wellness initiatives. The Benefits Specialist coordinates enrollment, eligibility, and claims processes while maintaining strict adherence to federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and relevant provisions of the Illinois School Code. In addition to program administration, the incumbent provides direct support to employees regarding benefits inquiries and concerns, facilitates onboarding and open enrollment processes, and maintains accurate records in the District's Human Resources and Finance Information Systems. This role collaborates with payroll and finance team members to ensure accurate deductions, reporting, and benefits-related journal entries, while supporting internal audits and compliance reviews. The Benefits Specialist is also responsible for analyzing benefits utilization and costs, preparing detailed reports to support budgeting and collective bargaining, and recommending enhancements aligned with best practices and industry benchmarks. The position further oversees employee retirement contributions (e.g., IMRF, TRS, 403(b), 457 plans), manages COBRA and workers' compensation processes, and coordinates wellness programs and educational outreach to promote employee well-being and engagement. This position requires a high level of confidentiality, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements while delivering exceptional service to District employees.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration, including direct oversight of health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement plans.
• Demonstrated skills in data analysis, benefits budgeting, and employee communication/outreach.
• Demonstrated experience ensuring compliance with federal and state benefits regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, ACA, and COBRA.
• Hands-on experience administering or coordinating state retirement systems, such as the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS).
• Proven ability to manage open enrollment, process benefits transactions, and respond to employee inquiries with professionalism and accuracy.
• Experience working with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and integrating benefits with payroll systems.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (Spanish preferred).
• Master's/Doctorate degree.
• SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) or SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) certification, or equivalent HR certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR).
• Experience with Illinois-specific benefits systems, including IMRF and TRS.
• Proficiency with Human Resources and Finance Information Systems, benefits enrollment platforms, and payroll integration systems.
• Experience working in a K-12 school district, public education system, or governmental agency, particularly within a unionized labor environment.
• Experience coordinating or supporting collective bargaining processes through benefits cost analysis and plan interpretation.
• Knowledge and prior use of platforms such as Frontline, Tyler, Skyward, or other education-sector HRIS/payroll systems.
• Experience conducting or supporting internal audits, compliance reviews, and external reporting to agencies such as ISBE.
• Familiarity with 403(b) and 457(b) plan administration, including IRS compliance and vendor coordination.

Responsibilities

• Administer and oversee all employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability, fringe benefits, and retirement plans.
• Manage state retirement systems, including enrollment, counseling, and documentation for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS).
• Coordinate administration of COBRA, ensuring federal compliance in coverage transitions.
• Administer workers' compensation claims in collaboration with third-party administrators and carriers.
• Process benefits terminations and transitions due to separations, retirements, or leaves of absence.
• Act as liaison to state-level benefits agencies (e.g., School Employees Benefits Board), ensuring adherence to state-specific policies.
• Coordinate and track employee leave usage and accruals, including FMLA, disability, and personal leave, while ensuring accurate documentation and legal compliance.
• Calculate and monitor reimbursements owed to the District for benefits-related payments from employees on leave, COBRA participants, and retirees.
• Coordinate and deliver annual open enrollment processes, ensuring timely communication and support for employees throughout.
• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local benefits laws and regulations.
• Prepare and submit mandated reports, such as salary and benefits surveys to ISBE.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ensuring integration with payroll, time tracking, and third-party vendor systems.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee inquiries regarding benefit enrollment, changes, claims, and eligibility.
• Analyze the usage, cost, and effectiveness of benefits programs; make data-informed recommendations for improvements or plan changes.
• Coordinate employee wellness initiatives, campaigns, and events to support staff health and well-being.

Benefits

• Salary Range: Regionally competitive, based on experience and qualifications: $104,613 - $141,535.
• Benefits: Per administrative contract.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree