Benefits Specialist

UCA; Conway (AR); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition waivers for employees andfamil

Paid holidays

Wellness incentives

Gym access

Job summary

University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is hiring a Benefits Specialist to administer comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans while overseeing enrollment, data integrity, and payroll integration. The role requires strong Excel skills and knowledge of HR laws, with opportunities for professional development in a supportive university environment.

The position is hybrid, based in Conway, AR, offering a competitive benefits package and a chance to contribute to open enrollment events and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field with at least 1 year HR experience.
• Knowledge of state and federal personnel laws and payroll processes.
• Experience with Banner and Benefitfocus is preferred.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Administer health, dental, and vision benefit programs.
• Manage enrollment, audits, and lifecycle events in Benefitfocus/Banner.
• Audit benefits deductions and ensure accurate payroll data.
• Respond to employee benefit inquiries and support open enrollment.
• Generate reports to ensure data accuracy and maintain records.
• Assist Leave/Offboarding/Retirement coverage as backup.

Skills

Benefits administration

Lifecycle management

Payroll systems

Data analysis

Customer service

Excel

Microsoft Office

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Banner

Benefitfocus

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Will this position be Onsite, Remote, or Hybrid?

Will this position be Onsite, Remote, or Hybrid? Hybrid

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number NC1372026

Working Title

Working Title Benefits Specialist

Department Org

Department Org 501000 - Human Resources

Why should you work at UCA?

We are excited that you are considering joining the UCA Family—the faculty, staff, students and alumni—who make the University of Central Arkansas a great place to work!
At the University of Central Arkansas, we value our employees striving to maintain a work-life balance. We realize that this affects the overall well-being of employees while learning to prioritize challenging work and the ability to make a difference. Participation in university-wide flexible work schedules may be available for certain positions. Training is provided on systems or job-specific software, and tools are available supporting professional and personal development. The benefits package allows you to customize your benefits to meet your current needs, with the ability to adjust them as your priorities change. This includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, 80% tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a retirement program with university contributions of 10% of employee salary. Also available are health and wellness incentives, as well as access to sports and cultural activities on campus for the family, free gym membership and equipment rentals.

Position Summary

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for analyzing and completing agency/institution human resources program goals and objectives, policies, and procedures. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy

Job Duties and Responsibilities

This is a fast-paced, high-level role responsible for administering comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefit programs. The Benefits Specialist manages the complete lifecycle of employee benefits enrollment, data auditing, and payroll system integration while delivering exceptional internal customer service.

Key Responsibilities

• Enrollment & Lifecycle Management: Process qualifying life events, approve new hire enrollments, and manage pending tasks and documentation within the Benefitfocus system.
• Payroll & System Integration: Audit semi-monthly benefits deduction files, perform required overrides, and load accurate data into Banner for seamless payroll processing.
• Employee Support & Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact to resolve employee insurance inquiries, and assist in planning open enrollment events and on-campus informational meetings.
• Reporting & Quality Assurance: Generate semi-monthly and ad hoc reports to ensure data accuracy, maintain comprehensive employee benefit records, and monitor the dedicated benefits email queue daily.
• Specialized Processing: Administer employee gap claims and coordinate benefits adjustments for internal personnel transfers.
• Cross-Functional Support: Execute other duties as assigned and serve as the primary backup for both the Leave Specialist and the Offboarding/Retirement Specialist.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The applicant must be very efficient, highly motivated and know how take initiative when it comes to researching, analyzing and finding answers related to benefits, reporting, and other related human resources issues. This includes proficiency in the knowledge of excel. The applicant must possess knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources. Knowledge of state and federal personnel laws, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of payroll and benefits processes. Ability to analyze information and recommend appropriate action. Ability to prepare and present oral and written information and reports.

Skills Considered Essential for Success

• Knowledge of the organization and administration of higher education.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and university rules, regulations and procedures.
• Ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently with common goals as a part of a team.
• Ability to make sound judgments.
• Effective interpersonal communication, writing, and organizational abilities.
• Civility in all interactions.
• Demonstrate effective follow-up.
• Banner and Benefitfocus Software knowledge is preferable.
• Proficient in Excel and Microsoft Office.

Required Education and/or Experience

The formal educational equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration, or a related field; plus one year of human resources experience. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND /OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS , EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS , UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE .

Preferred Education and/or Experience

Experience working in benefits or a related position, higher education setting, and Ellucian Banner.

University, Campus, and Community Description

Thank you for your interest in employment at the University of Central Arkansas.
Founded in 1907, UCA has an enrollment of more than 10,000 students and employs over 1,300 full-time employees. The university offers more than 85 undergraduate and 59 graduate certificate and degree programs, including doctoral programs in five disciplines. UCA is proud of its tradition of teaching excellence and its contributions in research, scholarship, and creative activities.

Desired start date 01/04/2027

Position Summary and Qualifications

License(s)/Certifications

Physical Demands Checklist

Physical Exertion

Physical Exertion Administrative Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal, sex-offender registry, financial history background check and drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

UCA EEO Statement

The University of Central Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. In keeping with its nondiscrimination policy in employment, admissions and other functions and programs, the university considers employees and students on the basis of individual merit and will not discriminate against a person on the basis of gender, race or color, ethnicity, religion, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, familial status, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, disability, political beliefs, intellectual perspective, genetic information, military status, or other factors irrelevant to participation in its programs.

Open Date

Open Date 11/05/2026

Close Date

Close Date 11/20/2026

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Posting Supplemental Questions

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