Human Resources Benefits Consultant

Appalachian State University•Boone, NC

About The Position

Appalachian State Human Resources advances the university’s mission by attracting, developing, and retaining talent; empowering employees to reach their full potential; fostering safe, healthy, and respectful workplaces; and providing human-centered services and professional consultation that help employees thrive. The Benefits Consultant provides professional administration and consultation for employee benefits, leave, Workers’ Compensation, disability, and retirement programs. Serving as a trusted resource for employees, supervisors, and campus departments, this position delivers guidance on benefits eligibility, leave administration, retirement planning, and return-to-work processes while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, UNC System requirements, and University policies. The role promotes employee well-being and organizational effectiveness through case management, employee education, regulatory compliance, collaborative problem-solving, and responsive customer service. Additionally, the Benefits Consultant supports day-to-day benefits operations through claims administration, leave and disability management, retirement counseling, reporting, recordkeeping, vendor coordination, and other activities that contribute to a positive and engaging employment experience for the university community.

Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university with two years of professional human resources experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
All degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.
Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, policies, plan provisions, and administrative procedures.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and case management skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex information to broad audiences.
Strong customer service, consultation, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and handle sensitive employee matters with discretion.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of employee benefits, leave administration, Workers’ Compensation, disability, retirement programs, and applicable federal and state regulations.
Experience providing consultation and guidance on complex employee benefit and leave matters.
Experience using HRIS , payroll, benefits administration, and reporting systems.
Experience developing and delivering employee training and presentations.
Experience working in higher education, state government, or other complex organizations.
Professional HR ( PHR , SPHR , SHRM -CP, SHRM - SCP ) or related certifications preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as an HR Benefits Consultant providing shared, centralized consultation and program administration across the University’s employee benefits, leave management, and related HR programs.
Provide comprehensive consultation and guidance to employees, supervisors, administrators, and leadership regarding employee benefits and leave programs, including eligibility, enrollment, plan provisions, qualifying events, life events, leave entitlements, Workers’ Compensation, Family and Medical Leave, Disability Income Plan of NC, Faculty Serious Illness Leave, Voluntary Shared Leave, and other applicable programs.
Apply knowledge of state, federal, University, and client policies, policy interpretations, plan provisions, vendor requirements, and HR best practices to analyze individual circumstances and determine how requirements apply to the University’s unique needs and operational environment.
Explain complex benefits and leave policies, procedures, and requirements in terms of employee needs, departmental operations, organizational priorities, and business results; identify available options and make recommendations within established guidelines when competing needs or complex circumstances arise.
Manage assigned benefits, leave, and Workers’ Compensation cases from initial consultation through resolution, while collaborating with the other consultants to ensure continuity of service, appropriate workload distribution, consistent application of policies, and effective case management.
Cross-train and maintain working knowledge of shared benefits and leave program areas to provide backup coverage, ensure continuity during absences, and support a consistent employee and client experience across the University.
Identify, analyze, and independently resolve routine and complex HR program issues and problems; exercise sound judgment and discretion when addressing sensitive employee matters and determine when issues require escalation or additional consultation.
Serve as a technical resource and subject matter expert within assigned benefits and leave program areas, providing guidance and recommendations to employees, supervisors, HR colleagues, and leadership.
Establish and maintain productive, collaborative working relationships with employees, supervisors, department administrators, payroll, HR colleagues, third-party administrators, benefits carriers, medical providers, retirement vendors, and other internal and external stakeholders to facilitate effective service and problem resolution.
Support administration and consultation related to the University’s health, retirement, voluntary, supplemental, and other employee benefit programs, including eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, benefit changes, vendor coordination, plan administration, and resolution of benefit-related issues.
Coordinate with benefits vendors and third-party administrators to research and resolve enrollment, eligibility, claims, billing, deduction, coverage, and other employee benefit issues; communicate resolutions and required actions to employees and departments.
Support annual and ongoing benefits administration activities, including Open Enrollment, benefit elections, employee communications, life events, new employee enrollment, qualifying status changes, and other benefits-related processes.
Interpret and apply applicable federal and state laws, University policies, plan documents, regulations, vendor requirements, and administrative procedures affecting employee benefits and leave programs; monitor changes and assist with implementation of required program or process changes.
Participate in the development, review, and implementation of benefits and leave policies, procedures, processes, forms, communications, and internal resources to promote consistent administration, compliance, and improved service delivery.
Review Workers’ Compensation accident reports, coordinate authorization of appropriate medical treatment; communicate with medical providers and third-party administrators; monitor claims; and assist employees in accessing appropriate resources and providers.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential employee benefits, leave, and Workers’ Compensation records and case files.
Review and audit vendor and third-party administrator databases, enrollment records, and other HR data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
Access, review, compile, and analyze information from multiple sources, including HR systems, vendor databases, payroll records, plan documents, employee records, and applicable policies, to research and resolve employee and departmental issues.
Reconcile applicable vendor invoices, payroll deductions, enrollment information, and other benefits-related data to identify and resolve discrepancies and support accurate financial and program administration.
Use contemporary HR technology, web-based systems, databases, and vendor platforms to administer programs, research issues, maintain records, monitor transactions, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of shared HR services.
Develop and modify internal processes, workflows, tools, and resources using available technology to improve program administration, reduce errors, enhance service delivery, and meet changing University needs.
Collaborate with internal offices, including Payroll, Safety, Disability Resources, Business Systems, and other campus partners, to resolve complex issues, coordinate services, support workplace accommodations and return-to-work efforts, and ensure effective integration of HR programs.
Identify recurring issues, competing needs, and opportunities for improvement across benefits and leave programs and make recommendations regarding program expectations, processes, communications, technology, and service delivery.
Participate as a member of a multi-functional HR consulting team, contributing expertise across more than one HR program area and assisting with shared workload, special projects, program initiatives, and operational priorities.
Share knowledge and technical expertise with other HR consultants and team members; assist with cross-training, mentoring, development of common practices, and continuity of operations.
Exercise a high degree of discretion, independent judgment, professionalism, and cultural awareness when handling confidential, sensitive, and complex employee matters.
Listen carefully, confirm understanding of the employee’s or client’s issue, and communicate appropriate benefits and leave information in a clear, concise, organized, and actionable manner.
Explain complex HR processes and requirements using appropriate references, including University policies, plan documents, vendor materials, system procedures, forms, regulations, and other authoritative resources.
Translate technical HR, benefits, leave, payroll, and vendor information into language that employees, supervisors, and administrators can readily understand and apply to their specific circumstances.
Communicate the implications of HR policies and program decisions in the context of employee needs, departmental operations, University priorities, and organizational goals.
Prepare clear and professional correspondence, case documentation, reports, presentations, training materials, guides, procedures, and other written communications related to benefits and leave programs.
Conduct individual and group consultations, presentations, and training for employees, supervisors, department administrators, and HR colleagues on benefits, leave, Workers’ Compensation, and related HR processes.
Develop educational materials and resources that clarify employee and supervisor roles, responsibilities, processes, deadlines, available options, and required actions.
Provide ongoing communication and follow-up throughout complex benefits, leave, and Workers’ Compensation cases to ensure employees and supervisors understand the status of the matter and the actions required.
Deliver complex, sensitive, or adverse information professionally and with appropriate discretion; adjust communication style, terminology, and level of detail based on the audience and circumstances.
Support the development of consistent, University-wide communication and educational strategies for benefits and leave programs and assist in identifying opportunities to improve employee understanding and engagement.
Create learning opportunities and contribute to the professional development of HR colleagues through knowledge sharing, cross-training, mentoring, project participation, and training on benefits, leave, systems, policies, and related HR operations.