Human Resources Benefits and Leave Specialist ($62,703+)

Dorchester County Public Schools; Cambridge (MD); On-site; USD 56,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorchester County Public Schools seeks a dedicated Human Resources Benefits and Leave Specialist to lead the district’s benefits programs for active staff and retirees. You will manage enrollments, questions, and communications across carriers and vendors.

The role also covers leave administration, FMLA, ADA coordination, COBRA, and retirement-related benefits, ensuring compliance with district policies and state regulations. Immediate start in Cambridge, MD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Progressively responsible experience in benefits administration, leave management, insurance, or related HR operations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA, COBRA, workers’ comp, unemployment insurance, and benefits regulations.

Responsibilities

• Administer and track benefits for active employees and retirees across health, dental, vision, life, disability, and flexible spending.
• Coordinate enrollments, life events, eligibility changes, and supplier communications; verify data accuracy across HRIS and vendor platforms.
• Serve as primary contact for benefit questions, claims concerns, and enrollment guidance; support new-hire benefits communications.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical ability

Organizational skills

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business Admin

Retirement Coordinator Certification (MSRP)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel)

HRIS

Payroll systems

Benefits enrollment systems

Job description

Human Resources Benefits and Leave Specialist ($62,703+)

Dorchester County Public Schools CENTRAL OFFICE - CAMBRIDGE, Maryland Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Dorchester County Public Schools (MD)

Job Details

Job ID: 5987954

Application Deadline: Nov 29, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Re-Posted: Today

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Dorchester County Public Schoolsis seeking a dedicated, transformational talent to serve in the role as Human Resources Benefits and Leave Specialist. The Human Resources Benefits and Leave Specialist serves as the school system’s lead for all benefits. This talented specialist will coordinate and administer comprehensive employee and retiree benefits, insurance programs, leave and disability-related processes, workers’ compensation, and related compliance activities for Dorchester County Public Schools.

The position serves as a primary technical resource and liaison among employees, retirees, Human Resources, Finance, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and other stakeholders; safeguards program accuracy, financial integrity, and timely service in accordance with applicable law, Board policy, and negotiated agreements.

This position is vital to meeting the requirements of The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and fully implementing the Believe in Us: Achieving our Potential Together Strategic Plan.

DUTIES:

Benefits Administration and Employee/Retiree Services

• Administer health, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending, voluntary benefits, employee assistance, and other applicable benefit programs for active employees and eligible retirees.
• Coordinate enrollments, qualifying life events, eligibility changes, terminations, dependent updates, and carrier notifications; verify data accuracy across HRIS, enrollment, and vendor platforms.
• Serve as a principal contact for employee and retiree benefit questions, claims concerns, coverage transitions, plan provisions, and enrollment guidance.
• Support new-hire orientation and prepare benefit communications, instructions, forms, and educational materials.
• Coordinate benefits for retirees under age 65 and age 65 and older, including Medicare-related transitions and administration of applicable retiree coverage provisions.

Premium Development, Open Enrollment, and Financial Controls

• Calculate and validate annual employee and retiree insurance premium rates and employee/employer contributions using carrier base rates, coverage tiers, service categories, and negotiated agreements.
• Develop and maintain distinct rate schedules for active employees, under-65 retirees, and over-65 retirees across applicable plan and coverage options.
• Plan and administer three separate annual open enrollment processes for active employees, under-65 retirees, and over-65 retirees.
• Coordinate carrier and vendor system configuration, rate updates, enrollment materials, timelines, and pre-enrollment validation.
• Reconcile monthly carrier billing, payroll deductions, retiree premiums, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefit payments, and related financial reports; research and resolve discrepancies.
• Conduct routine vendor, enrollment, billing, and eligibility audits and coordinate corrective action and recovery of erroneous payments as appropriate.

Leave of Absence, ADA, and Disability Administration

• Administer and track leave requests, including FMLA, leave without pay, medical leave, and other applicable contractual or statutory leave programs.
• Review eligibility and documentation, issue required notices, monitor leave usage and timelines, coordinate payroll and benefits impacts, and maintain confidential case records.
• Coordinate the ADA interactive process, including requests, documentation, communications, accommodation review, and follow-up with appropriate district officials.
• Coordinate leave-related return-to-work procedures, restrictions, and appropriate communication with supervisors and other stakeholders.
• Provide guidance on applicable Maryland paid family and medical leave requirements and coordinate district implementation activities as assigned.
• Coordinate Sick Leave Bank matters and disability-related benefits or retirement processes with appropriate program administrators.

Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment, and Risk Coordination

• Coordinate workers’ compensation claims from initial reporting through follow-up, including claim documentation, insurer/administrator communication, medical and work-status information, and return-to-work coordination.
• Maintain accurate workers’ compensation records, monitor claim and payroll status, identify inconsistencies, and support claims reviews, hearings, and legal proceedings with counsel and administrators.
• Administer unemployment claim responses, documentation, and hearing preparation in coordination with district representatives.
• Support workplace injury prevention, required reporting, and consistent implementation of applicable district procedures.

Retirement, COBRA, and Continuation Coverage

• Coordinate employee retirement benefit inquiries, retiree enrollment and premium administration, and transitions among applicable retiree insurance categories.
• Administer COBRA and other continuation-of-coverage notifications, eligibility changes, premium coordination, and coverage transitions.
• Coordinate disability retirement-related insurance and separation procedures, including premium arrangements, determination tracking, and transitions to retiree or COBRA coverage as applicable.
• Support employee education and coordination with retirement savings and deferred compensation vendors, including 403(b) and Roth program administration as assigned
• Retirement Coordinator Certification from the MSRP is required within first yar of employment.

Compliance, Systems, Training, and HR Operations

• Interpret and apply relevant federal and Maryland laws, Board policies, negotiated agreements, plan documents, and district procedures; identify compliance concerns and recommend corrective action.
• Develop, document, maintain, and improve standard operating procedures, checklists, forms, audit processes, and employee communications for benefits and leave administration.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in eFinance/SunGard, benefits enrollment platforms, employee access systems, and applicable carrier and third-party systems.
• Coordinate with Finance and Payroll regarding deductions, leave status, benefit contributions, separations, and reconciliations.
• Provide technical guidance and training to supervisors, employees, and HR colleagues on leave, benefits, enrollment, and related procedures.
• Coordinate vendor relationships, service issues, benefit fairs, employee education events, and compliance-related training or tracking activities as assigned.
• Support personnel data changes and other Human Resources operational activities; perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration, leave management, insurance, human resources, or related operations preferred.
• Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, COBRA, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, applicable benefits requirements, Board policies, and negotiated agreements.
• Ability to interpret insurance plan documents, calculate premiums and contribution rates, reconcile financial records, and identify discrepancies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and ability to use HRIS, payroll, benefits enrollment, and vendor systems accurately.
• Strong written and verbal communication, analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and employee service skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage multiple deadlines, maintain accurate confidential records, and coordinate effectively with employees, retirees, leadership, Finance, and external partners.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, interpersonal, and stakeholder-relations skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, manage competing priorities, respond effectively to emergencies, and lead through ambiguity and change.
• Retirement Coordinator Certification from the MSRP is required within first year of employment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $62,703 Per Year

Job Requirements

• At least 2 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Office of Human Resources
• CENTRAL OFFICE
• CAMBRIDGE, Maryland 21613
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]