Benefits Specialist

Health & Human Services; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework schedule

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking a Benefits Specialist aligned with the HR Division. The role administers and supports health and retirement benefit programs, ensuring timely information and consistent service across plans.

You will partner with HR, payroll, vendors, and staff to keep processes compliant and efficient. Posting notes indicate a hybrid-telework schedule with weekly onsite hours and a salary range that reflects state pay bands.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in HR or related field from an accredited institution and 1 year of experience required.
• Alternatively 2 years of progressive HR experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Administer and support employee benefits programs.
• Provide accurate information and timely assistance on benefits.
• Collaborate with HR, payroll, vendors, and employees to ensure benefits processes run smoothly and comply with regulations.

Skills

HR knowledge

Discretion

Communication

Education

Associate’s degree in HR or related field

Job description

Agency Division Job Classification Title HR Technician II (S) Position Number Grade NC07

About Us North Carolina State Government is one of the states largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today!

Description of Work

A Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering and supporting the organization’s employee benefits programs. This role ensures employees receive accurate information, timely assistance, and consistent service related to benefit plans such as health insurance, retirement programs, wellness initiatives, and leave policies. The specialist works closely with HR, payroll, vendors, and employees to ensure benefits processes run smoothly and comply with all regulations and company policies.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Recruitment Range: $37,377 -$ 65,408 Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to handle confidential matters with tact and discretion; to express ideas clearly and concisely; to exercise good judgment in analyzing situations and making decisions within area of responsibility; able to learn and apply rules, procedures, and practices for various human resources management activities or personnel actions.

Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.

About the DHHS Division of Human Resources

The DHHS Division of Human Resources is responsible for strategic and tactical human capital management within DHHS including compliance with all federal and state rules and regulations affecting employee relations, recruitment/selection, job evaluation, salary administration, benefits, workers compensation, safety, and core staff development.

Compensation and Benefits

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Supplemental Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/. DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. In accordance with the Governors Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference Applicants seeking Veterans Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of their DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Associate’s degree, typically in Human Resources or relevant field from an appropriately accredited institution and 1 year of experience required; or 2 years of progressive experience in Human Resources; or equivalent combination or education and experience.

EEO Statement The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions

Valuing Education and Experience The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide. All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.