HR Specialist, Benefits, Leave & Compliance Training

The HR Specialist, Benefits, Leave & Compliance Training supports the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources office by administering employee benefits, leave programs, and required compliance training. Reporting to the Associate Director of Human Resources, this position serves as the primary HR contact for benefit enrollment, benefit-related life events, leave administration, disability coordination, retirement and voluntary benefit processes, and compliance training tracking. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate benefits data, timely employee communication, proper documentation, vendor coordination, benefit invoice reconciliation, and alignment between HR systems, vendor systems, and Payroll. The Specialist partners closely with Payroll, the Manager of HR Operations & Employee Experience, and the HR Specialist, Employee Lifecycle & Experience to support accurate records and a consistent employee experience. This position also participates in new employee orientation by leading the benefits, leave, retirement, voluntary benefits, and compliance training portions of orientation. Rate: $22.25-$23.54, 35 hrs/week Essential Functions: Benefits Administration Administer employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefit plansServe as the primary HR contact for employee benefit questions, plan information, eligibility, enrollment, and benefit-related processesProcess benefit enrollments, changes, terminations, and benefit-related life events in PlanSource, NYBEAS, Banner, and/or other applicable systemsEnsure benefit elections and changes are processed accurately and timely in accordance with plan documents, University procedures, and applicable regulationsCoordinate benefit-related life event documentation, including marriage, birth, adoption, divorce, loss of coverage, and other qualifying eventsSupport annual open enrollment, benefits renewal activities, employee communications, and vendor coordination under the direction of the Associate Director of Human ResourcesProvide employee education regarding benefit options, enrollment deadlines, retirement readiness, wellness resources, and voluntary benefit programsMaintain accurate benefit records and documentation in accordance with confidentiality expectations and record retention requirements Leave Administration Administer employee leave programs, including FMLA, New York Paid Family Leave, disability, ADA-related leave coordination, workers’ compensation coordination, and other applicable leave programsServe as the primary HR contact for employees and supervisors regarding leave process questions, required documentation, timelines, and return-to-work coordinationPrepare, issue, receive, and track leave-related documentation in accordance with applicable federal, state, and University requirementsMaintain confidential leave records and ensure documentation is complete, accurate, and appropriately retainedCoordinate with Payroll to support proper leave coding, paid time application, disability payments, benefit deductions, and related payroll impactsTrack approved leaves and communicate necessary operational information to supervisors while maintaining employee confidentialityPartner with and escalate complex leave, disability, ADA-related, return-to-work, or compliance-sensitive matters to the Associate Director of Human Resources for review and directionMonitor leave timelines and follow up with employees, supervisors, and applicable vendors as needed Compliance Training Coordinate and track required employee compliance training, including Title IX, harassment prevention, safety, mandated institutional training, and other required programs under support of CHROMaintain the University’s training management system and ensure accurate assignment, tracking, reporting, and completion recordsProvide support to employees and supervisors regarding training access, completion requirements, deadlines, and reportingPartner with the HR Specialist, Employee Lifecycle & Experience to ensure required compliance training is incorporated into the new hire onboarding processPrepare compliance training reports for HR leadership and other University stakeholders as neededMonitor training completion trends and identify gaps, follow-up needs, or process improvementsMaintain awareness of regulatory or institutional changes that may impact required employee training, benefits, leave programs, or related compliance requirementsPartner with the Associate Director of Human Resources to support benefits, leave, training, and employment compliance reporting, audits, and documentation assigned Benefits Communication, Orientation, and Employee Education Lead the benefits, leave, retirement, voluntary benefits, and compliance training portions of new employee orientationPartner with the HR Specialist, Employee Lifecycle & Experience to support a clear, welcoming, and organized new employee orientation experienceDevelop and distribute employee communications related to benefits, leave programs, open enrollment, wellness resources, retirement, voluntary benefits, and required trainingMaintain accurate and accessible employee resources related to benefits, leaves, retirement, voluntary benefits, and compliance training on HR platforms and the University intranetProvide timely reminders to employees regarding benefit deadlines, open enrollment, required documentation, leave paperwork, and training completionSupport wellness-related benefit communication and vendor-sponsored wellness initiatives in coordination with HR leadership and benefit vendorsEnsure benefit, leave, and compliance training communications are clear, accurate, employee-centered, and consistent with University procedures Systems, Data Integrity, Reconciliation, and Vendor Coordination Maintain accurate employee benefits, leave, and training data in Banner, PlanSource, NYBEAS, vendor portals, training systems, and other applicable HR systemsReview employee status changes entered through the employee lifecycle process to determine benefit eligibility impactsCoordinate with the HR Specialist, Employee Lifecycle & Experience when employment status changes impact benefit eligibility, leave status, payroll deductions, or required training assignmentsReconcile benefit deductions, vendor invoices, and enrollment records to ensure accuracy across HRIS, Payroll, and vendor systemsProcess benefit invoices for payment after reconciliation and resolve discrepancies with vendors, Payroll, Finance, or HR leadership as appropriateAssist with required benefits reporting, including ACA, 1095-C, ERISA-related reporting, retirement plan reporting, and other compliance-related reporting as assignedIdentify and recommend process improvements to strengthen benefits administration, leave tracking, training compliance, reconciliation, and employee communicationMaintain benefits, leave, disability, ADA-related, workers’ compensation, medical, and compliance training records separately from general personnel files, in accordance with confidentiality requirements and applicable record retention standardsMaintain strict confidentiality of benefits, leave, medical, disability, and employee training records, and ensure information is shared only with individuals who have a legitimate business need to know Institutional Citizenship Demonstrates professionalism, discretion, and respect in all interactionsSupports the University’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through culturally competent and respectful interactionsContributes to a collaborative culture of mentoring, engagement, and service that supports the success of faculty, staff, and studentsMaintains a safe and compliant working environment and participates in required training, including safety protocolsParticipates in required and elective professional development, University committees, and initiativesMaintains a safe working environment within and around their facilities and associated equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, obtaining Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information pertaining to any hazards associated with their work environmentPerforms other related duties as assigned to support departmental and institutional goals Qualitfications-Education & Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Minimum of an Associate’s degree required, Bachelor’s degree preferredAt least 2 years of experience in Higher education with an emphasis on benefits administration, compliance training, or HR operations is strongly preferredStrong understanding of benefits law, regulatory requirements, and leave managementExperience in higher education or public sector HR preferredExcellent communication and customer service skills with the ability to explain complex information clearlyProficiency in HRIS and benefits administration systems; experience with PlanSource, NYBEAS, or Banner preferredStrong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skillsAbility to maintain a high level of confidentialityEffective written and oral communication skillsAbility to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Physical Demands & Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Personal Protective Equipment must be worn when required. A respiratory function test and the ability to use respirators may be required. Stairs and uneven surfaces may be present; artificial lifts, etc., may or may not be available. The position may require the incumbent to walk outdoors in all types of weather to other buildings or offices located on the campus. The Campus is in an area that contains numerous hills and slopes and may not always be fully accessible for mobility-impaired individuals. About Alfred University: Lighting the way for students since 1836. “We've always been a place for makers, especially those who make the future. Our commitment to independent thinking, creativity, academic rigor, and community have made us a unique kind of leader since 1836.” Alfred University (AU) was founded on principles of social justice in 1836 by liberal, independent thinkers who placed high value on education for all citizens. The University has retained and built upon the strong values of its founders, developing as an institution of national and international renown that is responsive to the needs of contemporary society while remaining consistent with the spirit of its origins. Alfred University is the second oldest coeducational college in the United States as well as one of the earliest nineteenth-century colleges to have enrolled African American and Native American students. It has a long-standing history of educating socially conscious students who make a difference in their professions and their communities. Over the course of the twentieth century, Alfred University evolved into a complex institution offering a full range of programs in the liberal arts and sciences, art and design, engineering, business, education, counseling, and school psychology to its nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students that live, learn, and play on a 232-acre campus located in an idyllic, creative valley in Western New York. Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Powered by JazzHR 0SbTIzeSjy