HR Benefits Specialist I

Charleston County Government; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Charleston County Government is seeking a Benefits Specialist I to assist employees, retirees, and HR representatives with health, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement benefits. The role supports onboarding and benefits navigation for a positive employee experience, working in the Lonnie Hamilton III building in North Charleston.

The position is in-person, with hours 8:30–5, Monday–Friday, and may be required to report during hazardous weather or emergencies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; an associate degree in accounting, business, HR, or related field is preferred.
• At least one year of experience working with benefits, including data entry, annual open enrollment processing, reporting, and resolving employee concerns.
• Experience in an HR Generalist or Specialist role, or equivalent experience.
• Familiarity with benefits software, Microsoft Office Suite, and SharePoint.

Responsibilities

• Be a Trusted Advisor: Answer questions about health, dental, life insurance, flex spending, and retirement.
• Resolve issues between employees, HR reps, and insurance providers.
• Maintain accurate workflows, update records, review reports, and assist payroll adjustments.
• Attend workshops and training to stay up-to-date on benefits administration.
• Collaborate with team to support goals and share expertise.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Organization

Empathy

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's Degree in Accounting, Business, HR, or related field

Tools

Benefits software

Microsoft Office Suite

SharePoint

Job description

Join Our Team as a Benefits Specialist I Are you passionate about helping others navigate their onboarding, and benefits and retirement journey? Do you thrive in a customer-facing role where your attention to detail and problem-solving skills make a difference daily? If so, we want you on our team!

As a Benefits Specialist I, you'll be the go-to expert for employees, HR department representatives and retirees, guiding them through the complexities of health, dental, vision and life insurance and other essential benefits. This is your opportunity to play a vital role in shaping a positive employee experience for Charleston County's dedicated workforce.

Why Join Us?

• When you join Charleston County's Human Resources Department, you're not just taking a job-you're joining a community. We're committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive workplace where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your work makes a real impact on the lives of others.
• We offer competitive pay, professional development opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of benefits administration for a dedicated team of public service professionals.
• The position will work in person at our Lonnie Hamilton III building, located at 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston, between the hours of 8:30 and 5 Monday through Friday. The employee may be designated to report to work during hazardous weather or emergency conditions.

Ready to Make a Difference?

HIRING HOURLY: $24.25 - $25.73

OPEN UNTIL FILLED - APPLICATION REVIEW BEGINS IMMEDIATELY

What You'll Do: Every day will bring new challenges and opportunities to make an impact. In this role, you will:

• Be a Trusted Advisor: Answer questions about health, dental, and life insurance, as well as flex spending and retirement, empowering employees with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
• Resolve Issues with Ease: Act as a bridge between employees, HR Representatives and insurance providers, ensuring smooth communication and quick resolution of any issues.
• Keep Everything in Sync: Maintain accurate workflows, update records, make payroll adjustments, review reports, and ensure everything runs like clockwork.
• Stay Ahead of the Curve: Attend workshops and training sessions to keep your knowledge sharp and stay up-to-date on new developments in benefits administration.
• Be Part of a Collaborative Team: Share your expertise, guidance, collaboration, and flexibility to help each other achieve the team's success.

Your Qualifications: Bring your expertise to the table with:

• High School Diploma or GED. An Associate's Degree in Accounting, Business, Human Resources, or a related field is preferred.
• At least one year or more of experience working with benefits, including data entry, annual open enrollment processing, reporting, and resolving employee concerns.
• Proven success in an HR Generalist or Specialist role, or equivalent experience.
• Familiarity with benefits software, Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and other tools that make benefits administration seamless.
• (Preferred) 1-2 years' experience Benefit processing, Certifications like IPMA-CP, SHRM, or knowledge of federal and state benefits regulations.

What We're Looking For: We're searching for someone who:

• Builds Trust: You're approachable, empathetic, and ready to assist with a genuine customer-first mindset.
• Loves Solving Problems: You enjoy untangling complex issues and finding solutions that leave everyone satisfied.
• Team Player: You work side by side with your peers and assist when needed without hesitation.
• Thrives on Organization: You can juggle multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and ensure every detail is handled with care.
• Leads with Positivity: You inspire confidence and foster collaboration among your peers and stakeholders.