Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist
University of Puget Sound
Job ID: 6636
Location: Human Resources Office
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Staff Posting Details
Appointment: Regular, full-time (1.0 FTE)

Position Summary:

This position is a key member of the University of Puget Sound's Total Rewards unit within the Human Resources (HR) team. This role serves as the initial customer-facing position for total rewards matters, responsible for excellent and efficient administration of our comprehensive benefits offerings. The team member in this position provides exceptional customer service to faculty and staff in the areas of compensation, benefits, and wellness. This position collaborates with the HR team, campus community, and external partners to ensure the timely delivery of core benefits functions, team objectives, and customer service goals at a renowned liberal arts college.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position based on-site in Tacoma, Washington. Opportunity for remote work may be considered following the successful completion of the initial evaluation period.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provides subject-matter expertise and thought leadership in the administrative and customer service aspects of total rewards functions.
• Provides exceptional customer service in the form of timely, accurate, and complete responses to inquiries, ensuring necessary follow-ups are completed. Tracks and reports status of work in progress.
• Spots issues related to complex or ambiguous total rewards situations, conducts research on possible resolutions, and makes recommendations to the Director of Compensation and Benefits for resolutions. Assesses and appropriately escalates situations for resolution.
• Gathers and submits applicable data for compensation and benefits market surveys.
• Participates in and contributes to relevant Total Rewards projects at the department or institutional level.
• May participate on or provide staff support to total rewards-related committees, including the Education Benefits Committee.

Benefits

• Executes benefit enrollment of University staff and faculty, including serving as initial point of contact in the University's annual open enrollment process.
• Works with staff and faculty to support the navigation of leaves of absence and communicates applicable updates to stakeholders.
• Develops and maintains current and accurate benefits education, enrollment, and informational materials on relevant programs.
• Prepares, submits, and reconciles monthly benefit invoices for billing, as well as daily banking transactions.
• Facilitates and tracks participation in employee education benefit programs, including preparing or maintaining spreadsheets and long-term models.
• Coordinates and supports employee wellness initiatives.
• Interfaces with benefits vendors to research and resolve issues related to benefits and leave administration.

Compensation

• Assists the Director of Compensation with compensation initiatives, including regular compensation structure reviews and maintenance, and annual or ad hoc salary increase processes.
• Conducts wage assessments and market analyses.

HR Operations

• Responsible for entry of new job setup, and faculty and staff hires and terminations in applicable systems.
• Tracks leave administration for semi-monthly payroll processing.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May provide project or work direction to student employees or temporary staff.

Budget Responsibilities

Administration of expenses and reconciliations as described above.

Qualifications:

Two years of related experience with Human Resources or Total Rewards. Bachelor's degree preferred, but an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Proficient with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint Familiar with Microsoft Excel Familiar with HCM systems, PeopleSoft experience preferred Knowledge and understanding of applicable employment and/or benefits regulations, Washington state preferred
Competencies:

• Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer service that anticipates and responds proactively and sensitively to customer needs.
Curious, problem-solving orientation to situations that may be complex and ambiguous Demonstrated professionalism, including in sensitive and confidential customer consultations
• Ability to organize, analyze, prioritize, and problem-solve within a fast-paced office environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to respectfully work, communicate and interact within a diverse campus community.
• Ability to professionally and effectively present information on a one-on-one basis or in groups.

Compensation and Benefits: The anticipated pay for this position begins at $50,000 annually or $24.04 per hour. Final salary decisions are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package. For more information, visit: https://pugetsound.edu/human-resources/benefits

Application Deadline: Review of application materials will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified.

Required Documents:

Resume Letter of Interest

Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks. All new hires will be required to submit proof of current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster) or receive an approved medical or religious exemption from the university.

Diversity Statement:

We acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives. We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community. We act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity

The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.


How to Apply
For complete job description and application instructions, visit: www.pugetsound.edu/employment

About Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a selective national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, drawing 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 40 traditional and interdisciplinary fields, including graduate programs in occupational and physical therapy and in education. Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Pacific Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honorary society. Visit "About Puget Sound" (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about) to learn more about the college.

As a strategic goal and through our core values, University of Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. EOE/AA



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