Shared Services Benefits Specialist

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education.

Benefits

• Outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans
• Fee waiver education program
• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• 15 paid holidays a year

This recruitment is open to current CSU employees only. This position may be located at a CSU campus or the Chancellor's Office in Long Beach, CA.

Pay

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $65,856 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Classification: Human Resources Professional II.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $63,288 - $92,208 per year (Step 1 - Step 20). Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience and is not expected to exceed Step 3 ($65,856 per year). Future increases, including step advancement, are subject to contract negotiations.

Schedule

This position is approved for a hybrid work schedule, with two days of telecommuting and three days working onsite (in-person) at the designated reporting campus.

About the role

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Shared Services Benefits Specialist to provide support and coordination for various benefits program areas within the Multi-U/Shared Services. The incumbent will perform complex administrative tasks and operational support for benefits administration, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Common Human Resources System (CHRS) System Oversight: Maintain accurate and timely benefits data through audits, updates, and support for enrollment and eligibility inquiries.
• Benefits Deduction Management: Administer and reconcile deductions (health, vision, life, LTD, dental) via the State Controller’s Office (SCO), ensuring data integrity and resolving discrepancies.
• Dental Benefits Administration: Ensure accurate submission, reconciliation, and compliance of dental enrollment data with CSU providers.
• Retirement Program Oversight: Audit appointments for Retired Annuitants and Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP) participants, ensure proper retirement coding, and compliance with CalPERS and employment regulations.
• Discrepancy Resolution: Investigate and correct inconsistencies across CHRS, SCO, dental, vision, and CalPERS systems, working closely with HR and payroll teams.
• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliance: Monitor and ensure accurate ACA code entries in the SCO Payroll Information Management System (PIMS), SCO ACA System (ACAS), and PeopleSoft; address errors and provide staff training on federal and state regulatory standards.
• CalPERS Administration: Oversee service credit purchases, validate membership eligibility, and manage data accuracy in enrollment and the Pension System Resumption (PSR) process. Resolve arrears and enrollment errors.

Requirements

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree and two years of HR, Payroll, and/or Benefits experience. Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience in benefits operations or a closely related field (Payroll, Retirement Administration, Human Resource Administration).
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the CSU CHRS PeopleSoft Benefits Administration module.
• Experience in Human Resources in higher education.
• Experience with policies, procedures, and outside regulations pertaining to Human Resources Information Systems.
• Demonstrated skills and knowledge of human resource discipline principles, practices, and related regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and/or implementing human resource standards, policies, and procedures.
• Strong project planning and organizational skills to manage multiple projects.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate and interpret data, develop conclusions, and make recommendations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively present information and advise.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, principles, and practices applicable to Benefits Administration modules in PeopleSoft.
• Expertise in investigating and analyzing problems with benefit impacts and implications; ability to anticipate and address problems proactively.
• Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in various situations involving numerous and diverse demands.
• Demonstrated skill in research, development, and evaluation of policies and programs, including data collection, evaluation, and interpretation.
• Ability to apply complex policies and procedures according to CSU guidelines, applicable state and federal laws, educational codes, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Knowledge of payroll business practices and procedures.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks independently as well as collaboratively, make independent decisions, and exercise sound judgment.
• Act as a liaison between the campuses and the State Controller’s Office, CalPERS, benefit vendors, and other agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with custom CHRS Benefits reports and queries.
• Experience with PIMS/CIRS.