HR Benefits Associate

Allegany-College-of-Marylan; Cumberland (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Allegany College of Maryland is seeking an HR Benefits Associate to administer employee and retiree benefit programs and to support onboarding and employment processes within the Human Resources Department.

The role involves communicating with benefit vendors, ensuring regulatory compliance, and producing enrollment and payroll data reports, while maintaining accurate benefit records and supporting wellness initiatives.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and 2+ years administrative/HR experience.
• Experience with benefits administration preferred.
• Strong data management and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Administers benefit programs for employees and retirees.
• Coordinates data transfer with vendors and external contacts.
• Supports onboarding and post-employment processes in HRIS.
• Maintains benefit files and annual enrollment activities.
• Responds to employee inquiries and provides guidance on benefits.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

Associate’s degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS

Job description

The HR Benefits Associate is responsible for the administration of the benefit program for both employees and retirees, employment processes for new hires, and provides administrative support to the Human Resources Department

1. Benefit Administration

• Administers benefit programs which include, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, flex spending, HSAs, Life Insurance and other voluntary benefits, paid time off, sick leave bank, Maryland State Retirement/Pension, Maryland State Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), and 403(b) plans; disseminates benefit coverage selections to Payroll Administrator;
• Coordinates transfer of data to external contacts for services, premium and plan administration; serve as the primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators;
• Ensures compliance with applicable government regulations relating to employee benefits;
• Participates in insurance meetings (Health, Dental, Liability, etc.) as needed;
• Provides benefit orientation to all new hires and assists supervisors in Onboarding of new hires;
• Reconciles and approves payments to benefit providers; resolves any disputes in billing or in provision of services;
• Answers employee questions and provides assistance and/or guidance in relation to employee benefits;
• Coordinates Annual Open Enrollment Meetings;
• Communicates Annual Open Enrollment changes and information as needed;
• Maintains Employee benefit files;
• Manages the Educational Assistance Program;
• Runs reports and processes for health care reform/ACA;
• Administers Wellbeing Programing; Collaborate with Nurse Managed Wellness Center, Wellness Committee, and similar wellbeing groups for ACM Wellbeing initiatives.

2. Retiree Support and Benefit Maintenance

• Prepares and sends monthly, quarterly, or yearly health and dental invoices to Retirees;
• Collects and deposits retiree insurance payments;
• Communicates any changes to retiree benefit plans and open enrollment meetings;
• Works with upcoming retirees on retiree benefit options after retirement;
• Completes retirement paperwork with employee including, but not limited to, MSRA paperwork, benefits education, and plan administration; provide ACM retiree emails upon request.
• Works with retirees to resolve insurance or billing related issues.

3. Employment Processes

• Responsible for post-employment-offer onboarding, including data management of demographic information, position, wages, leave and other information as needed, into HRIS. Requests IT access and email set up, verifies and collects all required information, including Employment Verification documents and Official Transcripts;
• Prepares salary letters and contracts as needed including but not limited to annual contracts, contract changes, and additional appointments;
• Follows processes for termination of employees, including suspending computer and IT access, collection of ACM property, COBRA notifications, and notification to the Payroll Administrator;
• Maintains leave balances for sick leave bank, new hires, retirees, and terminations in HRIS and Sick Leave databank;
• Assists with ad hoc employee requests and queries as needed.

4. Administrative Support and Other

• Responds to requests for employment verifications and unemployment information
• Maintains new employee handbooks, employment forms and stationery;
• Prepares vouchers/check requests as needed for payment of assorted billings;
• Maintains HR storage area in cooperation with HR Recruitment and Payroll Associate;
• Assists in data entry and filing in the HR Office;
• Serves as a Maryland State Retirement Coordinator and Notary Public;
• Serves on various committees and task forces as requested;
• Assists in special projects and as assigned;
• Contributes to the annual and five-year comprehensive department assessment process as per the college assessment plan;
• Other duties as assigned.

• Associate’s degree required and a minimum of two (2) years of administrative, customer service, human resources, payroll benefits or related office experience required. Equivalent combinations of education, training and relevant experience may be considered.
• Preferred: Experience and understanding of Human Resources practices relating to employment, benefits, and accounting or payroll practices.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment; strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy; excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; strong organizational, follow-up and record keepings kills; ability to learn and apply benefit administration processes.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and interruptions simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records and data.
• Ability to follow established procedures while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and institutional policies.
• Ability to learn and maintain working knowledge of employee benefits, COBRA administration, qualifying life events, retirement plans, leave administration, ACA reporting, and other HR compliance requirements.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees, retirees, vendors, and external partners.
• Ability to independently follow up on outstanding items and ensure timely completion of required processes.
• Demonstrated initiative, dependability, and proactive problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize HRIS and related software systems