Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist

District Office at 3901 S. State Street

City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the largest community college system in Illinois, is made up of seven colleges and five satellite sites, providing more than 70,000 students each year access to a quality, affordable education.

Under general supervision, the Benefits Specialist is responsible for working with theExecutive Director-Health & Benefits to administer and implement City Colleges of Chicago’s employer based and voluntary benefit plans in compliance with federal, state and local regulations and established City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) policies.

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Your Responsibilities

• Responsible for working directly with the Executive Director-Health & Benefits to ensure the Benefits Division is compliant in the administration and implementation of employee benefit plans in accordance with federal, state and local regulations and established City Colleges of Chicago policies.
• Maintains accurate and complete files on benefit provider/carriers regarding plan descriptions, contracts, amendments and other benefit related documents.
• Processes employee new hires, changes and terms at employee, client and carrier level.
• Administers Personal Care Payments (PCP) for IEA-NEA and AFSCME unions.
• Coordinates the annual open enrollment process under the direction of the Executive Director-Health & Benefits.
• Processes benefit plan enrollments, transfers and renewals through data input to the Human Resources system. The Benefits Specialist must ensure that any changes to an employee's coverage---e.g. adjustments to the number of dependents or modifications requested during open enrollments---are correctly entered into the system.
• Ensures cohesion and accuracy among sources of information shared between CCC administration, Unions, third-party administrators and/or insurance carriers.
• Audits and monitors payroll reports and benefits eligibility reports by job code or other methods; ensures that all staff deductions and payments for benefits are properly accounted for and remitted in a timely manner. Investigates discrepancies and provides information in non-routine situations in a timely manner.
• Responds to requests from employees regarding eligibility and coverage issues.
• Manages flexible spending and other voluntary benefit plans.
• Drafts and ensures accuracy of benefit communication materials.
• Performs other benefits related duties/projects as assigned.
• Adheres to CCC Customer Service Excellence standards.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field required
• One to three years of progressively responsible relevant benefits, accounting and payroll experience
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Solid analytical and research skills required.
• Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications, with advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.
• PeopleSoft experience highly desirable.
• Ability to work well with employees at all levels of the organization and handle all situations with tact, diplomacy and confidentiality with minimal supervision.
• Must be self-directed, organized, innovative and able to assess current operations in an effort to develop practical solutions to improve the functioning of the department.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner and maintain all information in a highly confidential manner.
• Ability to work within a culturally diverse environment

We offer: excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Thank you for your interest in City College of Chicago!