Benefits Specialist

The University of New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); Hybrid; USD 42,904 - 60,256; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Tuition remission and educational benefits

Job summary

A major educational institution in Albuquerque, NM is seeking a Benefits Specialist to join their Benefits & Employee Wellness team. This role involves advising employees on various benefits, designing benefit plans, and ensuring compliance with policies. Suitable candidates will have at least 6 years of related experience and strong communication skills. The position supports a hybrid work environment, offering competitive salary and benefits, along with supervisory responsibilities over team members.

Qualifications

• 6 years of experience directly related to benefits duties.
• Ability to provide guidance on various benefit areas.
• Experience in designing and reviewing benefit plans.

Responsibilities

• Advise university employees, students, and retirees about benefits.
• Coordinate communication and educational programs.
• Perform reconciliations of benefits-related data.

Skills

Benefits principles knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Customer service issue resolution

Data gathering and reporting

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Overview

The University of New Mexico's Division of Human Resources seeks a Benefits Specialist to join UNM’s Benefits & Employee Wellness team! Our team is a progressive and collaborative unit, with a talented and cohesive team of Benefits professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provides advice and guidance to university employees, students, and retirees regarding benefits based on the benefit areas they support.
• Participates in the design and review of individual benefit plans and/or programs.
• Coordinates the preparation and implementation of communication and educational programs and materials.
• Performs complex reconciliations of benefits-related data.
• Researches and resolves complex, non-routine problems.
• Participates in the development of new or revised benefits policy recommendations.
• Ensures compliance with various University and division-level policies, procedures, and guidelines, as well as applicable federal and state laws.

This position will have supervisory responsibilities, which may include supervising, leading, training, providing technical support, and coordinating the activities and coverage of staff performing related work.

The Benefits Specialist position will be focused in areas of expertise which may include health insurance, retirement processing, retirement plans as well as absence management, education benefits and compliance. This role reports directly to Manager, Benefits and currently offers a hybrid onsite/remote schedule. The ideal candidate will be a team-oriented individual, with a background in employee benefits, strong organizational, communication and customer service skills.

Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to identify, analyze and solve data and/or procedural problems.

To pursue your consideration for this position, please submit your job application, resume and a letter of interest by the best consideration date. Your letter of interest should include a high-level description of your interest in the position and your strengths to support these responsibilities.

See the Position Description for additional information.

Conditions of Employment

• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University\'s influenza vaccination requirement.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; at least 6 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of benefits principles, practices, procedures, and documentation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to resolve difficult or stressful customer service issues.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.

Additional Information

• Campus: Main - Albuquerque, NM
• Department: HR Benefits (730B2)
• Employment Type: Staff
• Staff Type: Regular - Full-Time
• Status: Exempt
• Pay: Monthly: $3,844.53 - $5,399.33

Benefits and Compliance

This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for more information.

ERB Statement: As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.

Background and Other

Background Check Required: Yes

For Best Consideration Date: 2/16/2026

Eligible for Remote Work: Yes

Eligible for Remote Work Statement: This position offers a hybrid onsite/remote schedule.

Application Instructions

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Please submit your application, resume, and a letter of interest by the best consideration date.

Your letter of interest should include a high-level description of your interest in the position and your strengths to support these responsibilities.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit Policy links. Refer to Regular Staff definition for details.