Benefits Retirement Specialist

General Description / Primary Purpose:

The Benefits and Retirement Specialist I reporting to an Assistant Director or above, assists in the design, development and implementation of departmental processes and/or programs. Recommends policies and procedures to ensure effective coordination of departmental programs.

Job Function:

Benefits:

• Interpret and apply policies and procedures related to employee benefits programs to ensure that employees and departments understand the benefits plans and coverage provided.
• Participates in New Hire Orientation and Open Enrollment and assists in ensuring changes are uploaded into the University Human Resources Information System (HRIS) correctly.
• Input benefit election data into the benefits portal and HRIS, including dependent profiles, beneficiaries, coverage levels, monthly premium rates, and other factors, including uploading necessary documents.
• Reviews deduction errors and makes appropriate updates to capture deductions through payroll, including off-cycle supplemental deduction reconciliation.
• Reviews Over/Under Reports for premium payment issues and adjusts employee and employer deductions in HRIS to balance current premiums.
• Troubleshoot and collaborate with supervisor and state agencies to resolve any employee document requests, benefits issues, and/or premium discrepancies.
• Evaluate and confirm position Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) changes with departments for benefits eligibility purposes and relay information to other functional areas of HR as appropriate.
• Assists Payroll with off-cycle supplemental deductions file transfer to People First for late processing.

Retirement:

• Interpret and apply policies and procedures related to retirement plans to ensure that employees and departments understand the retirement plans offered and compliance with applicable guidelines.
• Set up new retirement payroll deductions for all employees and assist employees with retirement enrollment, deadlines, contributions, and distributions. Ensure changes are uploaded into the University HR System (HRIS) correctly.
• Review all new hire Florida Retirement (FRS) Certifications and validate dates within myFRS to ensure compliance regarding new members, Reemployment Limitations, and Rehiring. Discusses any reemployment red flags with supervisor and other functional areas of HR as needed.
• Assist in Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) and DROP Termination.
• FRS Invoice reconciliation and Lose / Non-Lose Fatal Error Reporting analysis.
• Process FICA Alternative Plan distribution requests, including review and approval of FICA Alternative distribution requests.

Marginal Functions:

• Assists in review of benefits/retirement reports and shares the results with the supervisor to determine what action needs to be taken to satisfy report findings.
• Completes unemployment claim requests and submits them to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for review and final processing.
• Assists with the Osprey Update announcement and calendar for Benefits and Retirement.
• May assist with the processing of leave of absence programs and/or workers' compensation as necessary.
• Serve as backup to other Benefits Specialists, HR Associate, and front desk functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Departmental Requirements:

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must have a strong and verifiable record of effective and efficient customer service skills.
• Skill in the use of web-based computer systems, including Outlook and Microsoft applications.
• Prior experience working in higher education and knowledge of Higher Ed HRIS systems is highly desirable.
• This position requires that the incumbent possess strong communication skills (both verbal and written), computation skills, and the ability to make decisions based on established program criteria.

Supervision Received:

Supervision is of a general nature, with daily interaction and ongoing meetings required. The incumbent develops internal procedures for performing a variety of complex duties within established guidelines; has considerable freedom while the work is in process, and receives instructions on new assignments.

Required Qualifications:

This position requires either (a) Bachelor's degree from an acceptable accredited institution in a directly related area of specialization; (b) or a high school diploma and four years of experience directly related to the job functions. Directly related college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.