Benefits Specialist

About the role

This role provides employees with expert guidance on benefit programs, ensures smooth administration of HR processes, facilitates training and orientation sessions, and contributes to a collaborative, service-oriented HR environment.

Position Classification

Regular, full-time, salaried, exempt and benefit-eligible staff position.

Location

University of Central Oklahoma’s main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma. The role requires in-person presence to perform essential duties, including direct interaction with students, faculty, staff, and/or the public; access to campus facilities, systems, and resources; and participation in on-campus activities and events.

Position Overview

The Benefits Specialist is primarily responsible for administering employee benefit programs and processes, providing high levels of customer service, and resolving benefit-related issues. This role coordinates programs through the HRIS system, researches benefit plans and providers to make informed recommendations, and may assist in the development and enhancement of benefit programs. The Benefits Specialist exercises independent discretion and judgment on matters of significant impact, ensuring decisions align with organizational policies, compliance requirements, and strategic HR goals.

Department Overview

The Benefits Specialist position is a key member of the Benefits team, which is part of the broader Human Resources department. The function oversees all aspects of employee benefits administration, including health, retirement, leave programs, and more. In addition to core benefits responsibilities, the team collaborates across HR on orientation, training, research projects, general departmental support, and other organizational initiatives. This collaborative environment ensures employees receive professional, accurate, and timely HR support across the organization.

Job Duties

• Administer employee leave programs, including ownership of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) process, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Administer UCO retirement processes in coordination with Oklahoma Teachers’ Retirement System (OTRS) processes, providing accurate guidance and supporting a smooth transition to retiree status.
• Coordinate new hire benefit enrollment, deliver New Employee Orientation presentations, and facilitate other trainings as assigned.
• Process and manage Qualified Life Events (QLEs), ensuring timely processing and accurate payroll deductions.
• Administer COBRA processes, ensuring timely and accurate processing of required notifications.
• Maintain, update, and manage employee information in the HRIS system, including benefit enrollment and changes, performing accurate data entry, reporting, analysis, and reconciliation.
• Respond to day-to-day employee benefit inquiries, providing professional and timely customer service.
• Assist with both Retiree and Active employee open enrollment processes, ensuring smooth execution and employee support.
• Support research and implementation of new benefit programs.
• Provide coverage for other essential HR functions as assigned, including serving as a backup or primary representative of the HR department’s front office and/or facilitator of employee orientation sessions (requires the operation of a golf cart to provide new employees with a campus tour).
• Perform other duties as assigned, including oversight and coordination of departmental projects and processes.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field and three (3) years of professional experience in Human Resources, Benefits, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required: Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to operate a typical motor vehicle.
• Preferred: Three (3) years of professional experience in benefits.
• Preferred: Experience facilitating employee trainings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to remain calm and professional in stressful situations.
• Highly organized with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of COBRA regulations, including qualifying events and notification requirements.
• Knowledge of Qualified Life Event (QLE) rules and their impact on benefit eligibility and enrollment.
• Knowledge of Oklahoma Teachers’ Retirement System (OTRS) processes and regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and HRIS/database management.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.