Benefits Specialist

Hampton City Schools; Hampton (AL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Hampton City Schools seeks a Benefits and Retirement Administrator to join the Executive HR team. This role handles eligibility, enrollment, claims, and open enrollment, ensuring clear communications and timely processing across programs.

The ideal candidate has an Associate's degree (Bachelor's preferred) and at least three years in benefits/retirement administration, with strong customer service and public speaking.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree required (Bachelor's preferred).
• Minimum of three years of experience in benefits and/or retirement administration.
• Ability to communicate effectively and provide excellent customer service.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for benefits eligibility, enrollment, and claims questions.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment and communicate plan changes to staff.
• Prepare retirement information and conduct employee sessions on retirement options.
• Maintain benefits information and documents on internal systems and website.
• Provide high level customer service and assist HR staff during heavy workload.

Skills

Benefits administration

Customer service

Public speaking

Communication

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Benefits administration software

Job description

POSITION INFORMATION

Supervisor: Executive Director of Human Resources

Employment Period: 12 months

Employment Status: Full-time

Pay rate (H-15): $25.14 $33.00 / hour (position funded by health insurance carrier)

Start Date: Immediately

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the primary point of contact for employee questions regarding benefits eligibility, enrollment, claims, and coverage options. Conducts new hire benefits orientations, as requested, and explains available benefit options to help employees make informed decisions. Communicates benefit information through various channels including presentations, emails, mailings, and one-on-one consultations. Processes qualifying life event changes such as marriage, birth, adoption, divorce, or loss of coverage.
• Reviews and updates pending benefits coverage and dependent verification information. Provides outreach to employees regarding status of benefit changes and benefits eligibility. Audits benefit files and reports related to enrollment changes and wellness incentive eligibility.
• Coordinates and manages annual open enrollment periods, including preparing materials, conducting informational sessions, and processing employee elections. Works with benefits system vendors to set up open enrollment, test system, and update rates, vendor information, and plan documents.
• Prepares projections and analytical reviews for employees in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and Hampton Employees Retirement System (HERS):

  prepares, reviews and submits retirement applications

  provides detailed information to employees

  advises employees on options and responsibilities associated with retirement

  coordinates and conducts employee information sessions regarding retirement options

• Maintains and updates benefits information, forms, and documents on the Hampton City Schools website and in the benefits enrollment system. Creates new documentation as needed to communicate benefit and retirement processes.
• Schedules and hosts school-based information sessions on retirement, as well as benefit and wellness changes and programs. Assists in planning department-hosted events, such as health fairs, information sessions, and open enrollment benefit fairs.
• Serve as liaison between employees, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and benefit vendors. Resolve billing discrepancies and coverage issues with carriers.
• Provides a high level of customer service to all employees and administrators.
• Provides assistance to other Human Resources staff members during periods of heavy workload.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Associate's degree required (Bachelor's preferred) in human resources, benefits administration, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in benefits and/or retirement administration required.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with internal and external contacts at all levels; ability to speak in public and provide excellent customer service.
• Experience working with benefits administration software preferred.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing benefits administration.

Hampton City Schools does not discriminate in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability or other protected class. Personnel decisions are based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, One Franklin Street, Hampton, VA 23669; [phone]. Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.