Benefits Specialist

City Colleges of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 49,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

City Colleges of Chicago seeks a Benefits Specialist to manage employee benefits, ensuring compliance with regulations and effective communication. The role requires strong analytical skills and experience in HR-related fields. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with various departments and contribute to the annual open enrollment process while maintaining accurate records.

Benefits

Health and welfare benefit package

403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans

Pension plan with SURS

Generous vacation and sick days

Tuition reimbursement

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in benefits or HR-related field.
• Experience with HRIS software, especially PeopleSoft, is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Administers employee benefit plans in compliance with regulations.
• Processes claims and leave of absence requests.
• Maintains accurate records of benefit provider information.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Tools

HRIS Software

Microsoft Office

Job description

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city. The community college system’s more than 3,500 faculty and staff servemore than 60,000 students annually at seven colleges and five satellite sites.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Benefits Operations Manager, the Benefits Specialist is responsible for collaborating closely with the Benefits Department 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

· Collaborates closely with the Benefits Operations Manager & AVC of People Operations to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and City Colleges of Chicago policies in the administration and implementation of employee benefit plans.

· Maintains accurate and complete records of benefit provider/carrier information, including plan descriptions, contracts, amendments, and other benefit related documents.

· Processes 403b administration tasks, including vendor change reports, vendor contribution adjustments and uploading monthly census files to vendor websites. Additionally, ensures monthly processing of 403b vendor invoices.

· Assists in weekly processing of travel reimbursements.

· Supports the Benefits Operations Manager in the annual open enrollment process, including setup, testing, and cleanup.

· Coordinates the annual Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance process and works with OIT to submit required IRS reporting.

· Processes benefit plan enrollments, transfers, and renewals within the Human Resources system, ensuring accuracy, particularly during changes to employee coverage, including adjustments to dependents or modifications during open enrollment.

· Assists with short-term and long-term disability claims and processes life insurance death claims, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

· Processes employee leave of absence requests by verifying eligibility, coordinating required documentation, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements, applicable laws, and policies.

· Ensures smooth information flow between CCC administration, Unions, third-party administrators and/or insurance carriers.

· Serves as liaison between Benefits and other internal departments.

· Assists in managing CCC benefits-related email accounts.

· Responds to requests from employees regarding eligibility and coverage issues.

· Drafts and reviews benefit communication materials for accuracy.

· Performs other benefits related duties/projects as assigned.

· Adheres to CCC Customer Service Excellence standards.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To Benefits Operations Manager

Direct Supervision None

QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field required, along with two years of progressively responsible experience in benefits, accounting, payroll, recruitment/talent acquisition, general HR or related field.

· An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

· Experience with HRIS software, especially PeopleSoft, highly desirable.

· Excellent analytical and research skills.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

· Ability to effectively communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner

· Demonstrated ability to collaborate with employees at all levels of the organization and handle situations with tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality under minimal supervision.

· Must be self-directed, organized, innovative and able to assess current operations to develop practical solutions for improving departmental functioning.

· Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high levels of confidentiality.

· Ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.

· Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) with advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.

Starting at $49,561-60,000

Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

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.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.Thank you for your interest in CCC!

Additional Information

• Salary Range: $49,561-60,000

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