Benefits Specialist

Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) seeks a dynamic, bold, and innovative candidate to serve as our Benefits Specialist.  CSU Pueblo's "Benefits Specialist" will be committed to transforming CSU Pueblo into the "people's university of the southwest" by supporting eight guiding principles that ultimately focus on developing faculty, employees and students with the problem-solving skills, resiliency, and agility needed to navigate work in a rapidly changing world.  To learn more about this bold vision, visit https://www.csupueblo.edu/vision2028/.

The Office of Human Resources and Institutional Equity (HRIE) is dedicated to advancing CSU Pueblo’s mission by promoting a positive, fair, and equitable culture, creating an environment of learning, collaboration and respect while complying with university policies, best practices and the law.

 

 Description of Job: The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration of all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability. Additionally, the position develops benefit procedures, provides guidance to campus constituents, and manages Family and Medical Leave, workers compensation programs and annual and sick leave for the University’s three employee types: Faculty, Administrative Professional, and Classified. The Benefits Specialist maintains current knowledge of State and Federal rules/laws as they relate to employee benefits and leave programs and assures the University’s compliance.  

Primary Duties:

• Administers employee benefits including insurance (medical, dental, life, vision, COBRA, unemployment, and short- and long-term disability), flexible spending accounts, and retirement and transitional retirement programs.
• Serves as an informational resource to the campus community regarding policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Conducts potential/new employee benefits briefings, new hire orientations, and open enrollment for Faculty, Administrative Professional, and Classified employees.
• Enters all benefit changes into the associated vendor system.
• Coordinates the annual employee Health and Benefits Fair.
• Regularly attends Colorado Higher Education Insurance Benefits Alliance (CHEIBA) meetings and is the University expert on benefits provided through CHEIBA for Faculty and Administrative Professionals and State Benefits for classified employees.
• Coordinates Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) program and associated paperwork, leave tracking, reporting, advising, and employee and University compliance.
• Works with employees to solve eligibility issues and resolve application issues.
• Coordinates workers compensation program from first report of injury to return to work. This includes coordinating care, tracking leave, contesting claims, preparing for/appearing in court, and communicating with insurance carriers and State Risk Management.
• Advises the Executive Director of potential issues, provides analyses of claims and their impact on University costs. Provides guidance to supervisors on work restrictions and other claim provisions.
• Manages all employee leave, including tracking both electronically and manually, interpreting relevant rules, and researching and resolving leave issues.
• Compiles and reports statistical information for the U.S. Census Bureau
  (i.e. Health Insurance Cost Study).
• Files mandatory reports such as Medicare disclosure, FSA Discrimination Testing, 1095 C tax forms for ACA, and annual life insurance renewals.
• Administers tuition discount and reimbursement program for employees/dependents and other miscellaneous benefits.
• Identifies issues and suggestions to improve processes in and out of the office.
• Provides input on policies and procedures related to HRIE.
• Serves on committees and attends campus meetings as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

 
 

 

 Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights: Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Public Administration, or related field.
• Capacity for independent work and problem solving.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, pay close attention to detail, and follow up in a timely manner.
• Excellent written, spoken, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Two or more years of increasingly responsible human resources experience.
• Two or more years of verifiable experience working with employee benefit programs.
• Two or more years of experience managing FMLA and/or workers compensation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Human Resources or related field.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP.
• Experience working in an HR office in an institution of higher education
• Verifiable experience administering State of Colorado Classified employee benefits

 

 Supplemental Information: All interested candidates must apply through the on-line application system. No other format of application materials will be accepted.

Applicants must attach the following documents, in order to be considered for this position: 

1. a letter of intent (cover letter);
2. a current resume or CV;
3. an unofficial transcript; and
4. three professional references with contact information to the on-line application.

Applications submitted without the required attachments above will be considered incomplete and will not move forward in the selection process. Once submitted, applicants will not be able to make changes or add information to their application packet, with the exception of their personal contact and demographic information.

Early submission of application materials is encouraged, as this announcement closes at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. Screening of application materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

About Colorado State University Pueblo

Colorado State University Pueblo is a comprehensive state university with an enrollment of 4,000 students.  CSU Pueblo provides relevant professional coursework and superior instruction with a small professor-to-student ratio for an ever-changing global economy.  Students can choose from 28 undergraduate programs with 70 fields of study in the College of Science and Mathematics, the Hasan School of Business, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the College of Education, Engineering, and Professional Studies and 10 graduate programs.

CSU Pueblo is equally committed to serving the diverse population of the region; this emphasis is reflected in the demographic characteristics of the student body. Because more than 25 percent of our students are Hispanic, the Federal Government has designated CSU Pueblo a Hispanic Serving Institution.  Besides reflecting our commitment to serve this critically important and rapidly-growing segment of the student population, that designation also allows the University to compete for certain federal grant funds to support its ability to better serve all students.  The University also seeks to provide a rich and diverse cultural environment that allows freedom of expression within a spirit of civility and mutual respect.  The public service expected of all members of our community benefits our society - local and global - and builds our sense of citizenship.

Among its unique features, CSU Pueblo is one of seven schools in the nation to offer a degree in mechatronics, which combines electrical and mechanical engineering. The Hasan School of Business ranks among the top 15 percent of all business schools internationally with graduate and undergraduate programs in business administration accredited by the AACSB International Board of Directors. The College of Education, Engineering and Professional Studies houses an undergraduate engineering program that was ranked in the nation's top 100 by U.S. News and World Report.  CSU Pueblo has an ever-changing campus landscape that features a newly renovated Library, a new general academic classroom building, and a newly renovated and expanded student center.

At CSU Pueblo, Student Life offerings have increased significantly with the transition of the campus from a commuter environment to a more traditional collegiate experience.  Competing at the NCAA Division II level, CSU Pueblo is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and offers 22 varsity intercollegiate sports and also has active intramural and club sports teams that allow students to get involved in campus life.

About Pueblo, Colorado 

The city of Pueblo is a historically and culturally rich, diverse city of more than 100,000, located in the southern part of the state along the Arkansas River near the Wet Mountains and the majestic Sangre de Cristo range. Pueblo enjoys ideal year round climate with four distinct mild seasons, crisp mountain air and 300+ days of sunshine per year. Pueblo attracts outdoor enthusiasts to a full slate of summer and winter recreational activities, encompassing water sports at Lake Pueblo, biking or running along Pueblo's beautiful river trail system, golfing, tennis, hiking or skiing in the mountains to the west.  The region is heavily agricultural, with large and small-scale farming and ranching, and a diverse mix of service, manufacturing, and technology industries.

CSU Pueblo is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history (felony and misdemeanor), national sex offender search, and/or motor vehicle history. Candidates who are extended an offer of employment must submit to and pass a background check prior to beginning employment. Some positions depending on the job duties may be required to complete a DMV and/or credit check.

The University reserves the right to check additional references, with prior notification given to the candidate.

Note: The successful candidate must provide official transcripts of academic work completed and, under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations, be able to submit evidence of the ability to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins.

It is the policy of Colorado State University Pueblo to provide reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities.  If you need accommodations, please contact the Human Resources at (719) 549-2441 or hr@csupueblo.edu.

In compliance with the Clery Act of 1990, the University's annual security report is available at: https://www.csupueblo.edu/campus-safety. 

Colorado State University Pueblo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Additionally, the University complies with all other relevant, federal, state, and local laws regarding employment practices.