Personnel Associate

Buffalo State University; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo State University is seeking a Benefits Coordinator to administer health insurance, retirement plans, and leave programs for faculty and staff. The role emphasizes accuracy, compliance with laws, and supporting retention through engagement and information sessions.

With primary responsibility for enrollment, coverage dates, and deductions, you will manage communications, data records, and interdepartmental collaboration to ensure a smooth benefits experience for employees and retirees.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated benefits administration experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including spreadsheet skills.
• Working knowledge of state and federal employment and labor relations regulations and laws (e.g. HIPAA, FMLA, ADA).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to analyze data and monitor metrics.
• Ability to prioritize and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Discretion handling confidential information and building relationships across levels.

Responsibilities

• Administer the State’s health insurance program (NYSHIP) including orientation, enrollments, changes, and reconciliation.
• Administer multiple retirement plans and guidance on supplemental savings plans.
• Administer various leave programs and audit time and attendance records.
• Administer tuition benefit programs for employees.
• Develop and disseminate employee benefit information and maintain benefit documents and websites.
• Maintain accurate benefit and leave records in SUNY HR systems and ensure data integrity.
• Serve as liaison between employees, Civil Service, vendors, and SUNY groups; participate on committees.
• Plan events that support employee engagement and wellness, such as onboarding and seminars.

Skills

Benefits administration

MS Office

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Data analysis

Time management

Collaboration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Opportunities at Buffalo State University

Buffalo State is one of the largest comprehensive schools in the State University of New York system. As a civically minded, urban-engaged campus community located in the city’s cultural corridor, Buffalo State prides itself as having smaller learning environments coupled with larger university opportunities. Boasting a diverse and inclusive campus, Buffalo State is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The school’s mission is to deliver a broad array of high-quality and distinctive academic programs infused with diversity, creativity, and hands‑on learning opportunities for hardworking students who seek a personalized and affordable education that engages their minds and advances their careers. Buffalo State is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment. With degree programs in education, the arts, science, arts and humanities, and professional studies, each year over 6,000 students choose Buffalo State. Buffalo State welcomes applicants who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission.

Faculty/Professional

Faculty/Professional Professional

Department

Department Human Resource Management Office

Local Title

Local Title Benefits Coordinator

Budget Title

Rank

Rank MP-5

Line Number

Line Number 20041

Salary Range

Salary Range $60,000-$65,000

FTE

FTE Full-Time

Bargaining Unit

Bargaining Unit M/C

PRODiG+ Position

PRODiG+ Position No

Executive Position

Executive Position No

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Department Website

Brief Job Description

The Benefits Coordinator serves as a key member of the Human Resources team with primary responsibility for administering all employee benefits, including SUNY retirement plans, NYSHIP health insurance, and leaves of absence/policies in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, New York State Civil Service Law, New York State Retirement System rules and regulations, and SUNY Board of Trustees policies as well as state and federal employment laws. Additionally, the Benefits Coordinator manages time and attendance for faculty and professional staff, assists and supports engagement initiatives that enhance the employee experience, and supports retention by creating and maintaining a shared sense of belonging at the University. The Benefits Coordinator functions with considerable independent discretion when interpreting and applying a wide variety of benefits guidelines affecting multiple employment types. The position requires a high degree of organization and attention to detail including complex calculations for deductions and salary adjustments required in the administration of benefits.

• Administer the State’s health insurance program ( NYSHIP ) including orientation programs, enrollment meetings, webinars, responding to employee inquiries, processing new enrollments and enrollment changes, determining effective dates of coverage, and reconciling records.
• Administer multiple retirement plans including defined benefit and defined contribution programs, and provide guidance on supplemental retirement savings plans, including enrollments, reinstatement/prior service credit, arrears calculations, and contributions.
• Administer various leave programs (i.e., disability, parental/family leave, workers compensation, reasonable accommodation, etc.) including meeting and communicating with employees, determining eligibility, and processing appropriate documentation. Review and audit time and attendance records.
• Administer the tuition benefit programs available to employees.
• Develop and disseminate employee benefit information through various channels, such newsletters, websites, webinars, and orientation sessions. Manage and update benefits documents, announcements, and website. Facilitate and deliver various educational opportunities about employee benefits and encourage all employees to be prepared for their future in retirement.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date benefit, retirement, and leave records and data in SUNY HR information system and related systems. Oversee the workflow of documents relevant to benefits and leaves administration. Maintain all files in a compliant and organized manner ensuring data integrity and security.
• Develop collegial, positive working relationships and serve as liaison between our employees, the Department of Civil Service, retirement vendors, insurance carriers, union benefit funds, SUNY , and various other parties. Serve on appropriate committees.
• Plan and execute events that support employee engagement and wellness, such as orientation and onboarding, wellness fairs, webinars, and pre-retirement seminars.

Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Buffalo State University is not an E-Verify employer.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated benefits administration experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including excellent spreadsheet and data organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of state and federal employment and labor relations regulations and laws (e.g. HIPAA , FMLA , ADA ).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work effectively and efficiently within strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor, analyze and use relevant data.
• Ability to prioritize and self-manage in a fast‑paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent independent judgment and sensitivity to personal and confidential information.
• Ability to develop collegial working relationships with individuals at all organizational levels and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Good listener, clear communicator and organized planner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Human Resources experience in the public sector and/or higher education.
• Experience in administering health insurance, retirement and leave benefits.
• Professional certifications ( PHR , CEBS ).

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that subscribes to all federal, state, and SUNY legal requirements and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status (Nondiscrimination Notice). Any violation of this policy should be reported to the Institutional Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office, Cleveland Hall 204, [phone]. Buffalo State is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Warnes at [e-mail] or call [phone].

Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report ( ASR ) for SUNY Buffalo State at http://police.buffalostate.edu . The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department at [phone].

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Buffalo State website
  • Buffalo News
  • Buffalo Rocket
  • Challenger
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • HigherEdJobs
  • Panorama Hispano News
  • Employee Referral
  • Other
• * All applicants are subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The college's Pre-Employment Background Screening Policy is available at http://hr.buffalostate.edu/pre-employment-background-screening. Prior to an offer of employment, an applicant will be required to sign an authorization release form, allowing Buffalo State to conduct a background investigation. Failure of an applicant to sign the authorization release form will disqualify an applicant from further consideration for appointment.
  • I agree to comply with the college's policy.
  • I do not agree to comply with the college's policy. (Note, this selection will disqualify you from further consideration for appointment.)

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Names and Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Optional Documents