Benefits Specialist

About the role

The Benefits Specialist operates within the Human Resources (HR) Department by managing district benefits programs, enrollments, and communications with employees and third-party benefit providers.

Responsibilities

• Owns creating benefit enrollment documentation for New Hire Onboarding (NHO); enrollment documents showcase benefits enrollment information and contain applicable timelines for enrollment
• Acts as a backup for NHO presentations
• Owns reconciling and submitting monthly reports and payments for Life and Long-term Disability
• Partners with Leave Manager on Affordable Care Act (ACA) tracking and annual reporting
• Attends monthly Insurance Committee meetings; records meeting minutes and attendance to share with applicable audiences
• Supports the Leave Manager by serving as a back-up for reconciliation, maintenance, and submission of Teacher's Fund for Retirement (TFFR), and North Dakota Public Employee Retirement System (NDPERS) withdrawals, payments, and operation
• Processes and reconciles name and address changes for HDV, GAP, HSA, and FSA in applicable HR system(s)
• Develops positive, effective working relationships with learners and staff
• Owns the processing of staff application elections and/or changes for benefits open enrollment program
• Owns communicating with COBRA third-party administrators on any adjustments, questions, status updates, and rate renewals on an ad hoc basis
• Owns communicating with Long-Term Disability/Life Insurance providers on items such as questions, status updates, and/or completion of intake paperwork for claims
• Partners with Leave Manager to complete yearly benefit summary communication to district employees
• Connects and shares ideas through appropriate/applicable formats to express thoughts and ideas with integrity
• Remains current with laws and regulations surrounding employee benefit programs including areas such as Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability insurances, high-deductible health plans, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, etc.
• Owns managing the benefits enrollment/changes process for all employees
• Owns processing benefits and deduction changes in the HR/Payroll system for new and existing employees in areas such as validation of qualifying events and/or terminations
• Owns processing COBRA notifications and monitors COBRA participation through the third-party administrator portal
• Owns processing staff resignations for benefit programs and routes data to relevant department personnel for applicable follow-up action

Requirements

• Associate degree in business, HR, payroll, or closely related field or minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience (benefits management, accounting, human resources, etc.)
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondences in the English language
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, expressively, and reactively
• Exercise confidentiality, discretion, and good judgement
• Adhere to the assigned work schedule by maintaining regular and punctual attendance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or closely related field is preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of regulations, procedures, and systems related to benefits management is preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of payroll rules and processing related to benefits management is preferred
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Excel is required
• PHR and/or SHRM-CP is preferred
• Experience working in a school setting is preferred
• Experience working in HR for a large employer (i.e., 1,000+ employees) is preferred
• Experience with TylerTech – Infinite Visions/SchoolERP Pro is preferred

Pay

Position follows the Classified Salary Schedule 2026-2027 at B250. Starting salary begins at $27.35–$31.35/hour, based on experience.