Human Resources Senior Specialist

State of Utah; Taylorsville (UT); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

State of Utah is seeking a senior benefits professional to support the HR Manager in strategic and operational benefits decisions. You will serve as a statewide benefits expert, guiding internal partners and senior leaders across state government on consultations and policy implementations.

Responsibilities include developing rules, coordinating with third-party administrators, ensuring compliance, and analyzing benefits data to improve programs.

Qualifications

• Hands-on benefit experience required.
• Proven experience advising leadership and executive-level stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of benefits regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed recommendations.
• Experience leading projects or process-improvement initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive, complex issues with discretion and independent judgment.
• Education: A degree in Human Resources or a related field is helpful but equivalent professional experience may be substituted in full.

Responsibilities

• Supports the HR Manager in making strategic and operational benefits decisions.
• Serves as one of the subject matter experts for the statewide benefits package.
• Provides input on consultation, guidance, and recommendations to internal partners and senior leaders across state government.
• Develop and maintain rules, policies, standards, and operating procedures.
• Coordinate program activities and benefit implementations with third-party administrators, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• Research market trends and emerging benefit offerings; analyze potential impacts on statewide programs.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret benefits-related data.
• Prepare reports and present findings to senior leaders.
• Develop and deliver training materials, presentations, and instructional resources.
• Write copy and other communications to promote employee benefits.
• Mentor and train staff on rules, practices, and procedures.
• Lead projects, committees, and work groups; delegate tasks and monitor progress.
• Facilitate meetings and collaborate with executive-level stakeholders.
• Respond independently to inquiries and correspondence, including communication with executive-level officials.
• Oversee workflow to ensure program objectives and deadlines are met.
• Evaluate program operations for efficiency, quality, and compliance, and recommend improvements.

Skills

Benefits management

Executive stakeholder advisory

Data analysis

Project leadership

Communication & interpersonal skills

Discretion & judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Job description

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.

Salary – $31.00 - $40.00 Hourly Wage

Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid

Application Deadline – 10/18/2026*

Key Responsibilities

• Supports the HR Manager in making strategic and operational benefits decisions.
• Serves as one of the subject matter experts for the statewide benefits package.
• Provides input on consultation, guidance, and recommendations to internal partners and senior leaders across state government.

Subject Matter Expertise & Consultation

• Supports the HR Manager in making strategic and operational benefits decisions.
• Serves as one of the subject matter experts for the statewide benefits package.
• Provides input on consultation, guidance, and recommendations to internal partners and senior leaders across state government.

Program Development & Management

• Recommend and implement program goals, objectives, and enhancements.
• Develop, revise, and maintain rules, policies, standards, and operating procedures.
• Coordinate program activities and benefit implementations with third-party administrators, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

Compliance & Research

• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• Research market trends and emerging benefit offerings; analyze potential impacts on statewide programs.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Collect, analyze, and interpret benefits-related data.
• Prepare reports and present findings to various audiences, including senior leaders.

Training & Education

• Develop and deliver training materials, presentations, and instructional resources.
• Write copy and other communications to promote employee benefits.
• Mentor and train staff on rules, practices, and procedures.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead projects, committees, and work groups; delegate tasks and monitor progress.
• Facilitate meetings and collaborate with executive-level stakeholders.
• Respond independently to inquiries and correspondence, including communication with executive-level officials.

Operations Oversight

• Oversee workflow to ensure program objectives and deadlines are met.
• Evaluate program operations for efficiency, quality, and compliance, and recommend improvements.

Qualifications

• Hands-on benefit experience required. Other closely related HR specialty experience may be used to augment some direct benefit experience.
• Proven experience advising leadership and executive-level stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of benefits regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed recommendations.
• Experience leading projects or process-improvement initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive, complex issues with discretion and independent judgment.
• Education: A degree in Human Resources or a related field is helpful but equivalent professional experience may be substituted in full.

About The Role

Location

4315 S 2700 W
Taylorsville, Utah, 84129
United States

Background Check Required

You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Drug Test Required

No

Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

Benefits

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah , Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency

This is an opportunity to make a difference in your state! Along with the satisfaction of supporting the hiring needs of this high profile agency. To learn more about DHRM, DHRM vision: Evolve then elevate the employee experience.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].