Benefits Specialist/Senior Benefits Specialist
- Employer
- University of Maryland Baltimore
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
View more
- Administrative Jobs
- Institutional & Business Affairs, Human Resources & Employee Development
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Office of Human Resource Services is seeking a Senior Benefits Specialist or Benefits Specialist to assist in the coordination and communication of benefits programs (medical, life, disability, dental, retirement, education benefits, etc.) for the University. This position will provide direct counseling to s employees on types of benefits coverage, including retirement. The Specialist will work with appropriate state agencies to resolve benefit issues regarding eligibility, claims, and retirement benefits and ensures compliance with legal and tax requirements. Benefits Information: UMB offers a generous benefits package, which includes 22 vacation days, 14 floating and holidays, 15 sick days; comprehensive health insurance and retirement options; and tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any of the University System of Maryland schools. The ideal candidate will personally connect with the Administration and Finance Guiding Principles, which closely mirror UMB’s core values: Accountability, Civility, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, Knowledge, Leadership, Communication, & Work/Life Balance. In the Fall of 2021, UMB will require all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be processed through Human Resources. Primary Duties:
- Provides direction and counseling to employees related to benefits offered by the University. Responds to inquiries about benefits and deferred compensation. Follows up with employees as necessary.
- Counsels employees in retirement planning and actual retirement from the University's retirement plans (pension or ORP). Ensure documentation is accurately completed and submitted in timely manner to appropriate agencies. Provides employees assistance in understanding retirement plans, Medicare, and Social Security.
- Administers benefit processes and policies according to USM/UMB as directed and prescribed by the respective state agency. Ensures benefit action compliance with state rules and laws. Identifies issues and provides recommendations to correct.
- Acts as a liaison with state central benefits, state agencies, University System of Maryland (USM), service providers and participants. Advocates with benefit agencies on behalf of employees.
- Assists in developing, presenting, and disseminating communications information about open enrollment, new employee onboarding, and/or other key benefit events, including the benefits fair.
- Participates as a member on committees, projects, or initiatives. Assists in development of project plans and defining scope of work.
- Performs benefits analysis, identifies issues, and provides recommendations for efficiency and/or corrections. Follows up with customers to ensure data is accurate.
- Advises and instructs customers on benefits and payroll policies and procedures.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Leads benefit initiatives, such as the benefits fair, and may lead special benefit issues such as executive and leadership retirement.
- Participates on multi-disciplinary teams/projects and complete long or short-term goals including contributing to the planning, scoping, and completion of projects. Coordinates resources and ensures project or initiative is delivered on-time.
- Serves as liaison to community and campus. Supports Human Resources management in the development of strategies, objectives, budgets, and in fostering improvements in policies and procedures. Develops and maintains appropriate metrics/tracking mechanisms to measure results.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree. Experience: Specialist: Two (2) years of experience in Human Resources functions with at least one (1) year in Benefits. May consider a combination of directly related benefits experience and education. Senior Specialist: Four (4) years of experience in Human Resources functions with at least two (2) year in Benefits.
The selected candidate must obtain the State of Maryland Retirement Coordinator Certification within two (2) months of hire. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of all applicable benefits requirements, regulations, and laws.
- Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems.
- Ability to communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts.
- Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently.
- Accomplishes responsibilities by applying specialized and theoretical benefits knowledge, principles.
- Resolves issues and significant matters on behalf of management by utilizing independent judgment, discretion, creativity, and analytical thinking.
- Contributes to development and evaluation of human resource and benefit offices goals and objectives.
- Creates solutions to ensure legal and policy compliance.
- May independently manage or administer programs, processes, projects, or resources.
- Applies intermediate level knowledge, concepts, principles, and skills.
- Decision-making requires significant interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of various alternatives. Independently anticipates needs and requirements to resolve non-routine matters.
- Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Accountability, Civility, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, Leadership, and Knowledge.
Job: Reg or CII Exempt Staff
Shift: Day Job
Organization: Human Resources
Job Posting: Mar 23, 2021
Unposting Date: Ongoing
Organization
Welcome to the Baltimore campus of the University of Maryland, founded in 1807 along a ridge in what was then called Baltimore Town. Today, this 61-acre research and technology complex encompasses 65 buildings in West Baltimore near the Inner Harbor. 
The University is Maryland's only public academic health, human services, and law center. Seven professional and graduate schools train the majority of the state's physicians, nurses, dentists, lawyers, social workers, and pharmacists.
Under the leadership of President Jay A. Perman, MD, the University is a leading partner in the redevelopment of the west side of Baltimore. The University of Maryland BioPark, which opened in October 2005, promotes collaborative research opportunities and bioscience innovation.
Sponsored research totaled $567.1 million in Fiscal Year 2010. With 6,349 students and 6,717 faculty members and staff, the University is an economic engine that returns more than $15 in economic activity for every $1 of state general funds appropriation. The University community gives more than 2 million hours a year in service to the public.
Mission
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is the State¹s public health, law and human services university devoted to excellence in professional and graduate education, research, patient care, and public service. As a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and students, and using state-of-the-art technological support, we educate leaders in health care delivery, biomedical science, global health, social work and the law. We emphasize interdisciplinary education and research in an atmosphere that explicitly values civility, diversity, collaboration, teamwork and accountability. By conducting internationally recognized research to cure disease and to improve the health, social functioning and just treatment of the people we serve, we foster economic development in the City, State, and nation. We are committed to ensuring that the knowledge we generate provides maximum benefit to society and directly enhances our various communities.
Campus Data
Go to the Office of Institutional Research and Accountability for complete campus facts.
Equal Opportunity
The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran's status to recruit, hire, compensate, train and promote employees and applicants for employment in all job levels with regard to their qualifications and without consideration to the aforementioned categories. Exceptions to this policy will be made only as allowed by law for example, due to bona fide occupational qualifications or lack of reasonable accommodations for disabilities.
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