Benefits Specialist

Chapman University; Irvine (CA); In loco; USD 41.000 - 47.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Chapman University is seeking a Benefits Specialist to manage enrollment, eligibility, tuition remission, and retirement processing on a hands-on, detail-driven basis. Reporting to the Senior Benefits Manager, you will be the primary contact for benefits questions and transactions, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

You will work on-site at One University Drive, Orange, and Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, contributing to a student-focused, collaborative campus culture and supporting HR

Competenze

• Associate degree or equivalent required.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in benefits administration.
• Working knowledge of health and welfare benefit plans, eligibility rules, and enrollment processes.
• Familiarity with retirement plan enrollment processes (e.g., 403(b)/401(k)) preferred.

Mansioni

• Process new‑hire enrollments, terminations, benefit elections, and life events, verifying documentation for compliance.
• Verify eligibility for employees and dependents per plan rules and regulations.
• Audit benefit enrollments for accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
• Process retirement plan enrollments, changes, loans, withdrawals, and distributions with plan vendor coordination.

Conoscenze

Benefits administration

Attention to detail

Customer service

Regulatory compliance

HR policies

Formazione

Associate degree or equivalent

Strumenti

PeopleSoft

Workday

ADP

Descrizione del lavoro

At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in‑person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.

Position Information

Position Title

Benefits Specialist

Position Type

Regular

Job Number

SA94424

Full or Part Time

full-time 40 hours weekly

Fair Labor Standard Act Classification

Non-Exempt

Anticipated Pay Range

$30.00 - $34.00

Pay Range Information

Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary

The Benefits Specialist is a hands‑on, detail‑driven role responsible for the accurate, timely administration of Chapman University’s employee benefits programs — spanning enrollment, eligibility, tuition remission, and retirement processing.

Reporting to the Senior Benefits Manager, this role requires precision, sound judgment, and a strong customer‑service orientation, as the Specialist is often an employee’s first point of contact for benefits questions and transactions.

Serve as a primary resource for employees with benefits and retirement plan questions, providing guidance on enrollment, plan policies, eligibility, and contributions.

Chapman University’s mission is centered on serving our students and strengthening our campus community. Chapman believes there is significant value in an in‑person workforce. Being present fosters collaboration, strengthens relationships across departments, enables us to better serve our co‑workers and contributes to the student experience. It is an important part of the culture that makes Chapman a special place to work and learn.

Responsibilities

• Process new‑hire enrollments, terminations, benefit election changes, and qualifying life events (marriage, birth, divorce, loss of coverage), verifying supporting documentation for compliance.
• Verify eligibility for employees and dependents in accordance with plan rules and applicable regulations.
• Audit benefit enrollments for accuracy, proactively identifying and resolving discrepancies.
• Process retirement plan enrollments, changes, loans, hardship withdrawals, and distribution requests, coordinating with the plan vendor and ensuring compliance with plan documents and IRS regulations.
• Monitor employee contributions, employer match calculations, and vesting schedules for accuracy; reconcile contribution files and payments with the plan recordkeeper on a regular basis.
• Support annual compliance activities, including nondiscrimination testing, 5500 audit preparation, and required employee notices.

Ancillary Benefits

• Perform tuition remission data entry and processing in accordance with university policy.
• Support processing biweekly and monthly insurance carrier data feeds, ensuring accuracy and timely transmission.
• Verify, audit, and reconcile benefit invoices and process payments on schedule.
• Prepare and process payroll deduction forms, partnering with Payroll to ensure accuracy and timely corrections.

Employee Support & Records

• Conduct proactive outreach to employees on leave of absence regarding benefit premiums and payment arrangements.
• Maintain accurate, well‑organized, audit‑ready benefit records and documentation.
• Partner with brokers and carriers to resolve employee issues and discrepancies.
• Respond to employee inquiries in accordance with university standard operating procedures and compliance with federal and state regulations escalating complex issues as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in benefits administration.
• Working knowledge of health and welfare benefit plans, eligibility rules, and enrollment processes.
• Familiarity with retirement plan enrollment processes (e.g., 403(b)/401(k)) preferred.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills, with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and work independently or as part of a team to deliver a seamless employee experience.
• Communicates with empathy, professionalism, and sound judgment, ensuring consistent follow‑through.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail; exercises discretion and maintains confidentiality with sensitive information.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience with HRIS or benefits administration systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Workday, ADP , or similar) preferred.
• Comfortable managing competing priorities and shifting business needs with composure.
• Knowledge of ACA , COBRA , ERISA , HIPAA , and FMLA preferred; motivated candidates without full regulatory knowledge will be supported through training.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel); able to quickly learn and adapt to HRIS and benefits systems.

MAIN CAMPUS

One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
[phone]

RINKER HEALTH SCIENCE CAMPUS

9401 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, CA 92618