Benefits Specialist

Union Pacific; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Retirement savings plan

Tuition reduction benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Oregon State University seeks a Benefits Specialist to support the Benefits section of the Office of University Human Resources. This full‑time, 12‑month role handles records processing, data management, and analytic tasks for multiple employee classifications, including Graduate Assistants and Fellows.

The position requires administering health benefits, COBRA, and enrollment processes, while ensuring compliance with FERPA and collective bargaining agreements.

Qualifications

• Two years of recent relevant experience, or a bachelor’s degree related to the work; alternatively, an HR professional certificate from an accredited college/university with two recent years of relevant experience; or four years of relevant experience.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal and listening skills for effective communication with clients.
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
• User‑level experience with Windows software and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).

Responsibilities

• Analyze operational situations presented by HR partners in service centers, managers, supervisors and department contacts.
• Interpret policies/procedures and bargaining agreements to advise on eligibility, status changes and reinstatements.
• Identify non‑compliance and follow up with departments to correct issues.
• Collaborate with department managers on re‑employment, leaves, summer insurance coverage, and deductions.
• Explain and clarify benefits program, options, rules, processes and procedures to HR partners.
• Research and resolve processing issues, reporting results to the Benefits Manager.
• Participate in design, testing and implementation of HRIS system changes affecting benefits.

Job description

Benefits Specialist

Job Summary

Oregon State University Human Resources is seeking a Benefits Specialist. This is a full‑time (1.0FTE), 12‑month, professional faculty position. The position is part of the Office of Human Resources, which directs a human resources management program, a benefits program, and a training and professional development program for all OSU employees. The Office’s mission is to provide innovative leadership, direction and services to achieve effective management of a quality workforce supporting teaching, research, and public service at Oregon State University.

Benefits Specialists may work with all classifications of employees—including Graduate Assistants, Fellows, Scholars, Professional Faculty, and Classified staff—handling a variety of records processing, administrative, and analytical tasks in support of the Benefits section of the Office of University Human Resources (UHR). The role provides subject‑matter expertise and works with employees on benefits‑related matters, including the Graduate Health Program and PEBB Health. Qualified Specialists will also provide confidential assistance to the CHRO and Executive Director in collective bargaining: interpreting and explaining policies, drafting proposals, and participating in bargaining meetings.

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an affirmative‑action, equal‑opportunity employer and encourage applications from historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who can help us achieve our vision of a diverse, inclusive community. This position is designated as critical or security‑sensitive; a background check is required.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Support and Human Resources Data Management (35%)

• Analyze operational situations presented by HR partners in service centers, managers, supervisors and department contacts.
• Interpret policies/procedures and bargaining agreements to advise on eligibility, status changes and reinstatements.
• Identify non‑compliance and follow up with departments to correct issues.
• Collaborate with department managers on re‑employment, leaves, summer insurance coverage (benefit tripling process), and deductions.
• Explain and clarify benefits program, options, rules, processes and procedures to HR partners.
• Research and resolve processing issues, reporting results to the Benefits Manager.
• Refer concerns beyond the normal scope of assigned authority to the Benefits Manager.
• Participate in design, testing and implementation of HRIS system changes affecting benefits, including proposed reports, audits, Banner form changes, version testing and training materials.
• Work with HR Officer to track benefits eligibility for employees on FMLA and OFLA leaves.
• Analyze, audit and reconcile discrepancy and deduction reports; identify causes and make corrections.
• Establish departmental tracking or audit systems (e.g., Banner CBNC report, data warehouse audits, monitoring of job forms, triple deduct process, domestic partner imputed value process/reports).
• Utilize reports from PEBB, InTouch, Banner, AWA, Data Warehouse, CORE to determine health insurance eligibility.
• Arrange payment of health premiums and continuation of insurance during approved medical leave.
• Maintain accuracy of high‑volume data entry into multiple databases.
• Process enrollment forms received in office, by email and via DocuSign.
• Process mid‑year changes to enrollment due to life events.
• Develop schedule of premium rates and employer contributions, enter payroll codes in Banner, and calculate health premium prorates and adjustments.
• Create monthly charge files for Graduate Fellow health premiums to be charged on student Banner accounts by Business Affairs.
• Verify summer session insurance eligibility via core graduation file and process terminations and refunds for ineligible individuals.
• Audit monthly PacificSource Health Plan census detail reports against AWA data to ensure enrollment accuracy and correct discrepancies.
• Regularly use Banner (SIS, FIS, HRIS), Data Warehouse, AWA, Nolij, BennyHire, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Process, store and maintain confidential records in compliance with FERPA.

Benefits Assistance and Benefits Oversight (30%)

• Communicate benefit plan information, enrollment requirements and premium rates to employees, Graduate Assistants, Fellows, Postdoctoral Scholars and Clinical Fellows.
• Manage administration of health insurance benefits for multiple classifications, including yearly open enrollment.
• Process COBRA dispositions.
• Audit, update and modify employee deduction information in Banner.
• Reconcile insurance vendor payment variance reports.
• Collaborate with the Employee & Labor Relations team to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements for SEIU employees and the Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE).
• Review health insurance waiver applications for the Graduate Health plan, determine criteria, and communicate approvals or denials.
• Participate in meetings with plan members, Employee & Labor Relations, Director of Benefits, HR Service Center and a CGE union representative to address waiver denials.
• Facilitate communications—written, non‑written, and in person—with HR team members, department liaisons, service centers, directors, insurance company representatives and account managers.
• Manage tasks with competing deadlines and interruptions.
• Refer concerns beyond the normal scope of assigned authority to the Benefits Manager.

Benefits Related Documents (20%)

• Process new employee and open enrollment forms.
• Analyze forms and reports.
• Verify benefits eligibility.
• Evaluate employee requests for compliance with plan documents.
• Verify accuracy and completeness of submitted documents.
• Update employee benefits records in accordance with HRIS standards.
• Route forms and copies to appropriate parties.
• Send required notices, policies and confirmation statements.
• Coordinate related actions with other benefits staff, including Retirement and Protected Leave Officers.
• Adjust employee benefits enrollments.
• Scan and file documents.
• Archive and purge documents as needed.
• Process life insurance and long‑term care conversion applications.
• Develop and maintain accurate publications and web page content for the Office of University Human Resources website.
• Produce and maintain up‑to‑date plan enrollment, waiver and summer session documents.
• Create and maintain email messaging templates for plan members during initial enrollment, open enrollment deadlines and summer session guidelines.
• Regularly review and request updates to insurance benefit language used in model offer letters for benefit‑eligible employees.
• Maintain supplies of benefits‑related forms/booklets and order new forms as needed.

Collective Bargaining (10%)

• Assist the CHRO, Director‑Benefits, HR Service Center and Employee & Labor Relations Manager in formulating, determining and implementing managerial policies related to collective bargaining.
• Prepare data and information for bargaining and assist with proposal language regarding benefits.
• Maintain compliance with collective bargaining agreements for SEIU and CGE contracts.
• Respond to requests to evaluate bargaining proposal impact on benefits processes and administration.

Administrative Support (5%)

• Participate in developing new employee orientation materials and website content.
• Provide benefits, retirement and other benefits packets as requested.
• Maintain supplies of benefits‑related forms/booklets and schedule benefits and retirement workshops.
• Assist with projects and conduct benefits orientations to explain programs, rules and regulations.
• Serve as a representative at benefits fairs, Graduate Student Orientation Resource Fair and other outreach events.
• Act as the first point of contact for customers entering the Office of University Human Resources, directing questions on employee benefits, retirement, FMLA/OFLA leave, employment verification, criminal history checks, employee & labor relations, job postings, recruitment and staff fee privileges.
• Provide training to team members.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision and basic life coverage with 95% premium paid for the employee and eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for the employee and qualifying dependents at OSU and six other Oregon public universities.
• Robust work‑life programs including dual‑career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a family resource center, affinity groups and an employee assistance program.
• Benefits calculator available to current and future employees.

Qualifications – What You Will Need

• Two years of recent relevant experience, or a bachelor’s degree related to the work; alternatively, an HR professional certificate from an accredited college/university with two recent years of relevant experience; or four years of relevant experience.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal and listening skills for effective communication with clients.
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
• User‑level experience with Windows software and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).

Preferred Qualifications – What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience in human resources management, and background with group or individual insurance plans and policies; working knowledge of Banner HRIS software and the data warehouse.
• Preference for individuals with experience in benefits administration.
• User‑level experience with Sungard Higher Education Banner (HRIS module) and Hummingbird BI data warehouse.

Working Conditions & Schedule

• Sits for long periods of time, often working at a computer monitor.
• Must be able to work productively with frequent interruptions and in close proximity with co‑workers.
• Must be able to work irregular hours—including weekends and nights—to meet deadlines.
• Good time management and organizational skills are required.
• All Benefits team members are expected to cover duties (PEBB and non‑PEBB plans) for each other as needed.

Salary & Pay

• Salary: $42,000 – $56,000 (recommended range).
• Pay Period: 1st through the last day of the month.
• Pay Date: Last working day of the month.

Contact Information

For additional information please contact: Rachel Forslund, [e-mail] or 541‑737‑2835.