Benefits Specialist

West Fargo Public Schools; West Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 38,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

The West Fargo Public School District seeks a Benefits Specialist to manage district benefits programs, enrollments, and communications with employees and providers. You will support bi-weekly HR payroll by reconciling deductions and validating events, while ensuring compliance with federal and district policies.

Strong Excel and HRIS skills are essential in a collaborative team environment. This full-time, on-site role reports to the Leave & Benefits Manager and requires attention to detail,

Qualifications

• Associate degree in HR, payroll, or related field is required or equivalent experience.
• Experience with payroll rules and benefits management preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel is required.
• Experience in a school setting or large employer HR is preferred.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Owns creating benefit enrollment documentation for New Hire Onboarding with timelines.
• Back-up for NHO presentations and monthly benefits reporting.
• Reconcile and process Life and Long-term Disability payments.
• Coordinate with ACA tracking and annual reporting with Leave Manager.
• Attend Insurance Committee meetings and document minutes.
• Process benefit changes and COBRA communications with third-party vendors.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Customer service

Education

Associate degree in HR or payroll

Bachelor's degree in business preferred

PHR/SHRM-CP preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

HRIS systems

TylerTech Infinite Visions/SchoolERP Pro

Job description

Job Description

Position Title Human Resources Benefits Specialist

Location: District Support Center

Department Human Resources

Reports To Leave & Benefits Manager

Term: Year-round position

Schedule: Mon-Fri Full-time.

Salary: Position follows the Classified Salary Schedule 2026-2027 at B250.

Starting salary begins at $27.35-$31.35/hour, based on experience.

Date of last review October 2026

SUMMARY

The Benefits Specialist operates within the Human Resources (HR) Department by managing district benefits programs, enrollments, and communications with employees and third-party benefit providers.

The Benefits Specialist supports the bi-weekly payroll functions of the HR Department by processing/reconciling benefit deductions and changes for new and existing employees including validation of qualifying life events and terminations.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and requirement satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Other duties may be assigned)

Collaboration

• Owns creating benefit enrollment documentation for New Hire Onboarding (NHO). Enrollment documents showcase benefits enrollment information and contain applicable timelines for enrollment.
• Acts as a backup for NHO presentations.
• Owns reconciling and submitting monthly reports and payments for Life and Long-term Disability.
• Partners with Leave Manager on Affordable Care Act (ACA) tracking and annual reporting.
• Attends monthly Insurance Committee meetings. Records meeting minutes and attendance to share with applicable audiences.
• Processes and reconciles name and address changes for HDV, GAP, HSA, and FSA in applicable HR system(s).
• Supports the Leave Manager by serving as a back-up for reconciliation, maintenance, and submission of Teacher's Fund for Retirement (TFFR), and North Dakota Public Employee Retirement System (NDPERS) withdrawals, payments, and operation.
• Develops positive, effective working relationships with learners and staff.

Communication

• Owns the processing of staff application elections and/or changes for benefits open enrollment program.
• Owns communicating with COBRA third-party administrators on any adjustments, questions, status updates, and rate renewals on an ad hoc basis.
• Owns communicating with Long-Term Disability/Life Insurance providers on items such as questions, status updates, and/or completion of intake paperwork for claims.
• Partners with Leave Manager to complete yearly benefit summary communication to district employees.
• Connects and shares ideas through appropriate/applicable formats to express thoughts and ideas with integrity.

Compassion

• Understands the complexities of cultural and global issues and how they relate to employee and learners' experiences.
• Partners with others to resolve potential controversy and conflict through respectful discussion.
• Proactively seeks to understand the ideas, opinions, and skills of others.

Creativity

• Connects with team members and shares ideas in an effort to improve the overall learner and employee experience.

Critical Thinking

• Reasons, interprets, and analyzes information to generate new knowledge and understanding.
• Exercises good judgment, discretion, and adherence for respective confidentiality requirements.

Reflection

• Maintains communication with supervisor and director regarding general feedback, career advancement opportunities, and areas of growth opportunities.

Resilience

• Maintains composure while dealing with stressful situations.
• Proactively seeks out resolutions and takes initiatives to resolve knowledge gaps and grow in self-sufficiency.

Responsibility

• Remains current with laws and regulations surrounding employee benefit programs including areas such as Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability insurances, high-deductible health plans, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, etc.
• Owns managing the benefits enrollment/changes process for all employees.
• Owns processing benefits and deduction changes in the HR/Payroll system for new and existing employees in areas such as validation of qualifying events and terminations.
• Owns processing COBRA notifications and monitors COBRA participation through the third-party administrator portal.
• Owns processing staff resignations for benefit programs and routes data to relevant department personnel for applicable follow-up action.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms.
• While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, talk, and hear.
• The specific vision abilities required for this role include close and peripheral vision.
• The employee may be required to lift up to ~30 pounds.
• The employee must work with the public and various WFPS staff while simultaneously managing several competing demands.
• The employee will work in an environment that has a quiet to loud noise level.

Education And/Or Experience

• Associate degree in HR, business, payroll, or closely related field or minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience (benefits management, accounting, human resources, etc.) is required.
• Bachelor's degree in business or closely related field is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of regulations, procedures, and systems related to benefits management is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of payroll rules and processing related to benefits management is preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Excel is required.
• PHR and/or SHRM-CP is preferred.
• Experience working in a school setting is preferred.
• Experience working in HR for a large employer (i.e., 1,000+ employees) is preferred.
• Experience with TylerTech Infinite Visions/SchoolERP Pro is preferred.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondences in the English language.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, expressively, and reactively.

Other Skills And Abilities

• Exercise confidentiality, discretion, and good judgement.
• Adhere to the assigned work schedule by maintaining regular and punctual attendance.
• Assist with coverage of front desk in HR office as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None.

The West Fargo Public School District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from discrimination and harassment in all employment and educational programs, activities, and facilities. The District prohibits discrimination and harassment based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or other protected status by law. External applicants are eligible for ND Veteran's Preference: North Dakota veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a form DD214, and if claiming disabled veteran's status, a current letter of disability. West Fargo Public Schools is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all hiring and employment practices. Applicants who incorporate a holistic perspective and a commitment to inclusion are encouraged to apply.