Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist

Job Description 
New River Community College (NRCC) is a comprehensive community college located in the New River Valley of Virginia. At NRCC you can prepare for the future with any of our various occupational programs or college transfer courses. NRCC faculty members are well known not just for their academic background, but also for their capacity to work closely and effectively with students. You’ll find that they have a genuine interest in your success. They also have excellent academic credentials. All faculty who teach college transfer courses have doctorates or master’s degrees, while those in occupational programs have a diverse background which combines academics with practical on-the-job experience. In recent years individual professors and college programs have received state and national awards for their quality

The Benefits Specialist plays a key role in the Office of Human Resources. The Specialist reviews and processes voluntary retirement plan and state health plan elections, ensuring that stringent deadlines are met. The Specialist assists with coordinating and is responsible for presenting relevant segments of new employee orientation. This includes assisting new employees with navigating mandatory retirement plan elections (including Optional Retirement, VRS and VRS Hybrid Plans). This position aids with all aspects of the retirement process for prospective retirees and provides support to current retirees as applicable. The Benefits Specialist also provides strategic support during open enrollment periods, as well as other peak volume periods affecting benefits. Specific duties include

• Administer various employee benefits programs such as group health, flexible spending accounts, dental and vision, accident and disability, life insurance, and retirement benefits.
• Conduct benefit orientations for new hires.
• Conduct retirement counseling with prospective retirees.
• Conduct periodic benefit presentations for all employees.
• Maintain employee benefits systems and ensure benefits changes are communicated appropriately for entry in payroll system for payroll deduction.
• Assist employees with health, dental, life and other related benefit claims.
• Verify the calculation of the monthly premium statements for all policies and resolve administrative problems with the appropriate representatives.
• Review and respond to unemployment claims with appropriate documentation. Review monthly unemployment statements.
• Coordinate workers’ compensation claims with third-party administrator. Follow up on claims.
• Prepare and set up meetings designed to help employees obtain information and understand State benefits and other related incentive programs. Ensure distribution of required employee notices.
• Assist HR Director in completing benefits reporting and reconciling requirements

KSA's/Required Qualifications

• Education, training, and/or work experience equivalent to an associate degree in human resources, business, or related field. 

• Solid computer skills to include demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience with managing records, creating and maintaining forms, drafting and maintaining procedures, and creating professional documents and communications.

• Ability to project a positive and professional image and maintain a strong commitment to customer service.

• Ability to develop training presentations and deliver to various groups.

• Ability to use discretion in working with confidential information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within established deadlines, while being highly organized and detail oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Benefits experience such as working with retirement plans, group health care plans, life insurance and/or other benefits programs.
• Experience interpreting and explaining human resource policies and procedures.
• Experience with new employee orientation.

Application Instructions:
Go to https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/56864 to view the full job posting and/or to apply.

The Virginia Community College System, an EEO employer, welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce. Therefore, the VCCS is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.