Benefits Assistant

State of Nebraska; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Reimbursement

Retirement plan match

Paid holidays

Generous leave

Job summary

The State of Nebraska is seeking a Benefits Specialist to provide advanced administrative support for benefits programs and state personnel functions in Lincoln. The role involves applying state and federal regulations to complex benefit scenarios and working with multiple stakeholders to resolve issues.

Responsibilities include policy interpretation, reporting, and coordination across departments to ensure compliant administration of health, FSA/HSA, and related benefits.

Qualifications

• Coursework/training or experience related to research, presentation, or publication in an area related to the programs or functions of the employing agency; business administration; accounting; customer service; and/ or technical support work, including use of computer software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and database management.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing, interpreting, and implementing policies, standards and procedures related to federal and state benefit regulation.
• Participate on committees, task forces and in other meetings to provide and gather information related to the state’s benefit programs.
• Review, analyze, and apply IRD code, regulations and decisions concerning FSA programs to maintain integrity of the plan.
• Investigate complex employee benefits program complaints.
• Understand Nebraska Employee Benefits Programs including health coverage, dental insurance, FSA/HSA, pre-tax premiums, life insurance, disability, COBRA, early retirement plans.
• Monitor and run reports concerning FSA payments; update insurance manuals; distribute forms.

Skills

Research

Presentation

Publication

Business administration

Accounting

Customer service

Technical support

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Database management

Workday system

Tools

Workday

Job description

The work we do matters! Hiring Agency: Administrative Services - Agency 65 Location: Lincoln, NE Hiring Rate: $18.965 Job Posting: JR2026-00030444

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): 11-19-2026

Job Description:

Under general supervision, position will provide varied advanced technical/administrative support to manager in the processing, coordinating, tracking, and monitoring of program-administrative functions or perform technical processing activities in specialized department functions. This position requires knowledge of benefits programs and will be expected to perform duties unique to benefits and State Personnel. This position will be expected to efficiently perform assigned work, with periodic review by the supervisor or work leader, but consults with the supervisor prior to implementing most decisions or resolving unusual circumstances. Interpersonal contacts include agency staff, agency customers, peers at other agencies, and/or representatives of public officials to answer questions/relay information, exchange or obtain information, resolve more complicated processing issues, ensure compliance with applicable policies, explain policies and procedures, coordinate activities, or report data.

Why join us:

• Stable Employment Opportunity
• Career Development and Learning
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 156% match on the first 4.8% contribution to the Retirement Plan
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Generous Leave Accruals and Benefits
• Opportunity to be a part of a caring organization

Job Duties:

Assists in developing, interpreting, and implementing policies, standards and procedures related to federal and state benefit regulation. Participates on committees, task forces and in other meetings to provide and gather information related to the state’s benefit programs in assistance to the administrator. Reviews, analyzes, and applies IRD code, regulations and decisions concerning FSA programs to maintain integrity of qualified status of the plan. Investigates complex, difficult, and volatile Employee Benefits program complaints. Will have an understanding of the State of Nebraska Employee Benefits Programs including health coverage, dental insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and pre-tax premiums (all of which are part of the Section 125 plan), and life insurance, short and long term disability insurance Employee Assistance Program, COBRA, early retirement plans, and assists other Employee Benefits staff as a team. Monitors and runs reports concerning FSA payment information, reviews updates on all insurance manuals received from carriers, notifies administrator if a discrepancy is found, prints, distributes and places updates in Personnel’s insurance manual, FSA booklet, application and termination forms. Concerning State Employee Benefit programs, will need to be able to answer benefit surveys, evaluate renewals of plans, drafts, releases and analyzes Requests For Proposals (RFP) performs related duties as assigned. All other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Coursework/training or experience related to research, presentation, or publication in an area related to the programs or functions of the employing agency; business administration; accounting; customer service; and/ or technical support work, including use of computer software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and database management.

Preferred Qualifications:

Wellness and Benefits experience, knowledge and understanding of the plans that are offered by the State of NE, and general insurance industry standards. Workday system knowledge as well as willingness to learn other systems that our vendors utilize.

Other:

Other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: principals and theory of insurance programs, insurance contracts, specialized benefits, terminology and practices, federal and state law governing employee benefit programs; COBRA law and regulations, IRS code, Section 125, ERISA law and regulations; federally accepted accounting principles, practices and procedures: methods of maintaining employee benefits and accounting records; advanced research methods and practices. Skills in: Active listening, asking questions, understanding instructions, using word processing, creating spreadsheets, charts, graphs, and reports. Managing time, schedules and priorities, monitoring ad assessing program performance, applying critical thinking techniques. Ability to: Exercise independent judgment to apply state and federal laws, regulations, technical manuals, policies and procedures to employee benefit decisions, effectively communicate the basis of employee benefit decisions to diverse populations such as government officials, attorneys, employees, and the public, use and explain automated data base, accounting and management information systems used in employee benefit programs, interpret state and federal laws, regulations, statutes, technical manuals, policies, procedures and documents, present information correctly and concisely to all levels of employees individually and in groups, handle confidential and stressful situations with employees, analyze, review and compile information, prepare complex written reports on technical statutory and carrier contract issues, formulate practices and procedures for implementing new projects.

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics. We are seeking talented individuals to join our team in careers that make a difference in the lives of Nebraskans.