Employee Benefits Specialist IV

 

About ECC:

Elgin Community College serves over 9,000 students at every stage of their educational journeys, including university transfer programs, career and technical education, continuing education classes, and adult basic education. As a community, we pride ourselves on nurturing a welcoming campus where every person-students, staff members, faculty members, and campus visitors-feels valued. The work of each ECC employee is central to the college's mission, and as an employer, the college fosters a positive environment through professional challenges, excellent benefits, and opportunities for recognition and camaraderie.

Work Schedule:

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday

Rate of Pay:

This position is a grade 14 with a minimum of $49,575 and a mid-point of $66,100. Salary offer will be commensurate with the education/experience, in alignment with the College's compensation philosophy, and the current CBA, if applicable.

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Grant Funded:

No

Job Summary:

An employee in this classification performs work of moderate difficulty assisting the Sr. Director of Employee Benefits with the administration of the college's benefit operations, providing superior customer service to over 1200 employees including four different bargaining units.

Work is distinguished by the ability to interpret and educate employees and managers regarding the benefit related provisions of applicable laws, policies, procedures and CBAs and to serve as the primary benefits contact for all internal and external constituents. Direction is received by the assigned manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. 1. Bachelor's Degree in human resources management, public administration, business administration, or equivalent combination of education, training and work experience in a closely related field.
   2. Minimum of three years full time experience in a benefits/human resources department required; experience within a union environment preferred.
   3. Good knowledge of current applicable laws, policies and procedures, such as FMLA, VESSA, and Illinois Worker's Compensation Law, the Illinois Human Rights Act and the willingness to continually update the breadth and depth of knowledge.
   4. Ability to interpret and apply knowledge of current applicable laws, policies, procedures and collective bargaining provisions of Employee Benefits and to consult and coordinate on matters regarding the interplay of ADA, FMLA, Worker's Compensation Law, Illinois Human Rights Act. 
   5. Proficiency in various computer software programs including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and HRIS Systems (Colleague preferred)  
   6. Ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast paced, demanding environment while providing superior and timely customer service.
   7. Considerable organizational skills, attention to detail, and accuracy
   8. Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work collaboratively in a team environment.
   9. Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and discretion at all times.
   10. Demonstrated ability to research issues to determine or recommend solutions and to communicate status of issues to internal and external customers. 
   11. Considerable written, verbal communications and interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to communicate and comprehend within a diverse population.
   12. Ability to exercise good judgment, make sound decisions and remain calm and focused while providing excellent customer service even in emotionally charged situations.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR) and/or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) preferred.
2. Bilingual - Spanish strongly preferred.

Essential Duties:

1. Provide superior customer service to over 1200 employees within four different bargaining units and administrators.  Serve as a resource to interpret and educate employees and managers regarding benefit related provisions of applicable laws, policies, procedures and CBAs.  Provide an overview of Employee Benefits during all New Hire Orientation programs.
2. Provide superior customer service to external stakeholders, such as ECC's service providers, consultants, former employees, general public, etc. This includes but is not limited to responding to all requests for information or documentation in a timely manner (e.g. State University Retirement Systems certifications such as College Insurance, Death, Disability Retirement Allowance, Leave of Absences, Disability Leave, Return from Leave/Layoff, etc.,)
3. Responsible for the coordination and processing of the annual open enrollment, ensuring all benefit notifications and essential employee communications are sent in a timely manner and are properly tracked.
4. In preparation for every pay period, run appropriate batch processes to update employee records for such benefits as leave accruals and LTD; upload remittance files to ECC's 403b Administrator and 457b provider; research issues/errors and determine or recommend any necessary corrective actions to be taken and assist Sr. Director with audit of all changes.
5. Coordinate, review, approve/deny and process development/expense programs and tuition reimbursement programs. 
6. Process new hire, term and mid-year changes requested by employees in accordance with applicable company policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, state and federal laws in a timely and accurate manner.  This may include calculating necessary adjustments for retroactive benefit deduction changes. 
7. Chair the Employee Wellness Committee and assist Sr. Director with the Health Insurance Committee.  Duties include: coordination and documentation of meetings.
8. Administer and manage leave of absences in compliance with policies, procedures, laws and collective bargaining agreement provisions; work in concert with the Office of the Paralegal in matters regarding employee's restricted duty.
9. Manage and monitor Worker's Compensation claims; coordinate information for employee, manager, Worker's Compensation carrier, Worker's Compensation attorney, ECC's Police Department, and the Colleague's ADA compliance officer. 
10. Review all benefit forms for accuracy and compliance with applicable company policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, state and federal laws; maintain confidential department records and files in accordance with HIPAA regulations; prepare, reconcile, and process for payment the monthly premium bills received from various benefit vendors; Receive, record, and deposit incoming benefit reimbursement payments. 
11. Coordinates COBRA compliance and administration with third party administrator.

Other Duties:

1. Perform other job-related duties as assigned which pertain to the job description.
2. Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes days/evenings/weekends as needed by the department.

Physical Demands:

Light (up to 25 lbs occasionally or 10 lbs frequently)

Visual Acuity:

Close visual acuity (e.g. computer, assembly)

Work Environment:

Moderate noise

Environmental Conditions:

Typical office or administrative

Current SSECCA Union Member Information:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: