HR Benefits Specialist (HEOa)

The City University of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 57,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The City University of New York is seeking an HR Benefits Specialist at Lehman College in the Bronx. The role administers benefits programs, assists with open enrollment, and advises staff on health, pension, and related benefits, ensuring compliance with policies and laws.

You will manage data accuracy, coordinate with multiple benefit partners, and support employee inquiries with a high level of service. This is a full-time, on-site position within the university system.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge and experience in benefits administration.
• Ability to interact with diverse staff and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and HRIS systems.

Responsibilities

• Designs and administers benefits orientation, open enrollment sessions, and meetings related to benefits.
• Advises staff on benefits policies and resolves inquiries with high service.
• Maintains understanding of CUNY rules, laws, and policies and applies them to responsibilities.
• Provides retirement information and determines eligibility for benefits and pension.
• Facilitates orientation sessions for new employees and workshops as needed.
• Manages data integrity of benefits records and assists with audits and logs.
• Liaisons with OLR, Central Benefits, Payroll, and retirement systems.

Skills

Benefits administration

Customer service

Confidentiality

Teamwork

MS Office

PeopleSoft

HRIS

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

PeopleSoft

Job description

POSITION DETAILS

Lehman College, of The City University of New York, ranks among the top five institutions in the nation for fostering social mobility. A four-year Hispanic-Serving Institution in the Bronx, Lehman offers bachelor’s, master’s, and advanced degrees and certificate programs in the Liberal Arts, sciences, and professions. The College’s community-driven mission and notable academic programs attract a diverse, international enrollment of over 15,000 students who take courses on its 37-acre, tree-lined campus and online degree programs. Many thousands more community members benefit yearly from its active cultural, educational, health, and economic outreach programs and services.

Reporting directly to the HR Benefits Manager, HR Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration, implementation, and compliance of Lehman College and CUNY policies and regulations for the Benefits functions.

Responsibilities

• Designs and administers employees' benefits orientation, open enrollment informational sessions, and employee meetings related to benefits including but not limited to health insurance plans, pension plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, supplemental annuity accounts, dental programs, employee assistance programs (EAP), leave and transit benefits.
• Assist with activities related to worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance.
• Maintains an in-depth understanding of CUNY rules and regulations, relevant laws and guidelines, collective bargaining agreements, and College policies, and applies these to his/her areas of responsibility.
• Advises faculty and staff on Human Resources benefits policies and procedures; responds to inquiries and provides timely resolution of issues with a high level of customer service.
• Provides retirement information and determines eligibility for retiree health benefits and pension.
• Facilitates and conducts orientation sessions/workshops for new employees and informational sessions as needed.
• Track Health Care eligibility for part-time employees.
• Manages the data integrity of benefits records and provides assistance with all benefits related audits and logs.
• Review termination paperwork and COBRA eligibility.
• Serves as the liaison with Office of Labor Relations, (OLR), CUNY Central Benefits, Payroll Offices, TIAA, New York City Teachers' Retirement System (NYCTRS), and New York City Employees Retirement System (NYCERS) the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund and other welfare funds, employee assistance program (EAP) and health insurance carriers.
• Provides service and salary history for the retirement systems.
• Assists the HR Benefits Manager in special projects and performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Experience in Human Resources department of City of University of New York (CUNY) College, or unionized, higher education environment preferred.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in benefits administration.
• A strong work ethic and ability to maintain confidentiality and safeguard employee information.
• Ability to interact and work collaboratively on a team in assisting diverse faculty and staff members.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact with all levels of staff exhibiting professional discretion, confidentiality, and high ethical standards.
• Ability to take direction and work proactively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power point, and Access), Outlook, and PeopleSoft or other Human Resources Information System.

CUNY Title Overview

• Counsels and assists staff on employee benefits matters
• Designs, creates, and conducts workshops and employee meetings related to benefits and benefits changes, including the annual open enrollment period
• Administers College benefits, providing information to carriers, retirement systems, welfare funds, and others as needed, managing data accuracy and completeness
• May coordinate complex programs, such as worker's compensation or leaves of absence
• Compiles data, monitors benefits statistics, prepares required and ad hoc reports, and conducts routine periodic audits of data entry for the College, CUNY Central, and outside parties as needed
• Represents the College at University benefits related meetings
• Develops and maintains employee benefits manuals, newsletter, policy descriptions, and other needed materials; maintains benefits-related information on College web site
• Maintains accurate, confidential employee records
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name

HR Benefits Specialist

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Assistant

FLSA

Non-exempt

Compensation and Benefits

Salary commensurate with education and experience, $57,252-$70,815

CUNY’s benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Closing Date

Review of resumes to begin immediately, open until filled

Job Search Category

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

Equal Employment Opportunity

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

32332

Location

Lehman College