Benefits and Leaves Specialist

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Working at Lewis & Clark College

The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland’s southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Benefits and Leaves Specialist will assist with the daily functions of the Human Resource department including processing benefits and leaves, answering HR queries from

employees, and enforcing college policies and practices. This position reports to the Chief Human Resources Officer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES Leaves Administration

• Handles all long-term absences, including FMLA, OFLA, PLO, and disability leave administration process from the employee’s initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work; provide employees with accurate information on deductions from pay relating to absences, medical certification requirements, return-to-work dates, etc.
  
  
• Maintain reasonable communication with employees, managers, and third-party administrators on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; advise employees and managers on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits
  
  
• Oversee the return-to-work process for employees returning from extended FMLA, workers compensation, or other leave(s)
  
  
• Facilitate other leave requests, which may include accommodation requests under the ADA
  
  
• Receive and process accident reports and workers’ compensation claims and file all insurance forms and reports in a timely manner
  
  
• Establish and maintain contact with injured employees and provide assistance with claims and obtaining health care as appropriate
  
  
• Communicate with workers’ compensation insurance carrier, doctors, nurses, campuses, and health care providers to ensure appropriate processing of claims
  
  
• Work closely with campus and department administrators and supervisors to facilitate reporting work-related illnesses and injuries
  
  

Benefit Administration

• Manage all benefit and retirement programs from plan design through day-to-day administration, including 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans, group medical, dental, and life insurance, disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance plan
  
  
• Manage tuition programs
  
  
• Responsible for benefit compliance related reporting and communication to meet all state and federal mandates
  
  
• Assists employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes; escalates and resolves benefit issues
  
  
• Manage annual open enrollment and wellness fair
  
  
• Conduct audits of internal benefits policies and procedures, plan documents, and summary plan descriptions
  
  
• Conduct new employee benefits orientation; ensure new hire enrollment in medical/dental plans; provide education regarding benefits plans and college policies and procedures
  
  
• Ensure compliance with retirement plan documents in regard to eligibility, participation, and enrollment in 403(b) and 457(b) plans
  
  
• Provide educational resources and opportunities for financial planning with retirement vendors and other resources
  
  
• Ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information
  
  
• Prepare all benefit premiums monthly
  
  
• Balance the budget accounts and provide budget projections as requested
  
  

Support Departmental Objectives

• Build, adapt, and maintain tools and reports
  
  
• Suggest strategies for process improvements
  
  
• Develop and maintain documentation and standards
  
  
• Support change management processes within the department
  
  
• Train new and existing employees on systems and processes
  
  
• Provide support and advice on cross-functional projects
  
  
• Participate in team meetings; provide knowledge, support, and advice for interdepartmental process improvements, projects, or policy revisions
  
  

Other duties as assigned by the AVP & CHRO

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KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
  
  
• Proficient knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
  
  
• Proficient writing and documentation experience with demonstrated success in effective messaging
  
  
• Proficient expertise in excel and analytical analysis and reporting
  
  
• Proficient understanding of the financial and business acumen to drive profitability
  
  
• Proficient presentation and public speaking
  
  
• Proficient knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws
  
  
• Proficient knowledge of the leave requirements and other legal protections afforded by the FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws
  
  
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
  
  
• Commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace
  
  
• Superior time management skills with a proven ability to efficiently manage multiple, concurrent, time-sensitive projects and priorities
  
  
• Superior problem-solving abilities to meet ambiguous and multicultural needs
  
  
• Extremely organized with meticulous attention to detail
  
  

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in Human Resource administration
  
  

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Two years of leaves and/or benefits administration experience preferred
  
  
• Human Resources Certification preferred
  
  
• Workday experience preferred
  
  

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time
  
  
• 37.5 hours/week
  
  
• Benefits Eligible : Yes
  
  

PAY RATE

• FLSA STATUS: Exempt
  
  
• Starting at $63,000 per year with consideration for experience
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• General office environment
  
  
• Regular office hours
  
  
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, working on a computer
  
  
• Communicate effectively via phone, email, online meetings, and in person
  
  
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
  
  

Directions for Cover Letter

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in joining Lewis & Clark and the ways you can contribute to a culture of inclusion on our campus.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission. We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies. Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators

( https://www.lclark.edu/about/title_ix_compliance ).

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.