Waco Tribune-Herald ยท 1 day ago
Senior Benefits Specialist & Leave Coordinator
West Long Branch, NJ
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$78K/yr - $84K/yr
4+ years expMonmouth University is seeking applications for a Senior Benefits Specialist & Leave Coordinator in the Department of Human Resources. This role supports the administration, communication, and compliance of employee health and welfare benefit programs and leave management processes within a higher education environment, serving as a primary point of contact for faculty, staff, and administrators regarding benefits and leave entitlements.
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Responsibilities
Coordinate daily administration of employee health and welfare benefits including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short- and long-term disability programs, EAP, Telehealth and retirement programs as well as ancillary benefits and COBRA administration
Conducts weekly new employee orientations and provides follow up to new employee inquiries; benefit presentations to special employee populations, retirement and long- term disability retirement consultations, and quarterly retirement seminars
Support annual open enrollment activities by preparing materials, hosting informational sessions, and assisting employees with elections
Participates in auditing activities on a regular basis
Collaborates with the enrollment and administration teams to document processes and maximize efficiencies where possible
Maintain accurate benefits data in the HRIS; process qualifying life events, new hires, terminations, and plan changes
Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and ensure timely payment and accuracy
Assist employees in understanding benefit options, plan provisions, and eligibility guidelines
Coordinate with vendors, brokers, and carriers to resolve benefit-related issues
Serve as the primary contact for all leave programs including FMLA, ADA/504 workplace accommodations, sick leave, parental leave, workers' compensation, temporary disability and institution-specific leave programs
Review, track, and process leave requests; ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies
Communicate leave entitlements, required documentation, timelines, and return-to-work expectations to employees and supervisors
Maintain accurate and confidential leave files and tracking systems
Collaborate with the ADA/504 Coordinator, HR leadership, and supervisors to support interactive process discussions and reasonable accommodations
Ensure all benefits and leave processes adhere to federal, state, and local regulations (FMLA, ADA, NJLAD, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, state leave laws)
Prepare regular reports on benefits utilization, leave trends, and compliance metrics
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes affecting benefits and leave management
Ensure accurate and timely compliance with governing statutes and regulations including non-discrimination testing pursuant to Section 125, ACA, 403(b), APBO and PCORI
Maintain OSHA records. Submit and post required logs and reports in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements
Reviews medical documentation and work-related accident reports for completeness and clarity of data to ensure compliance with policy and regulatory requirements, get claim numbers and update all information on the OSHA log
Assist with audits, accreditation reviews, and compliance documentation
Provide high-quality assistance to employees regarding benefits, leaves, and HR-related inquiries
Conduct new-hire benefits orientations and onboarding sessions
Communicate clearly and professionally with employees, supervisors, and external stakeholders
Assist with developing and updating benefits and leave-related policies, procedures, and resources
Collaborate with HR colleagues on cross-functional tasks to support payroll, onboarding, and HRIS maintenance
Contribute to HR initiatives that promote employee engagement, wellness, and institutional culture
Participate in training, committees, and institutional events as requested
Manage or contribute to Human Resource projects and related duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
HR or benefit-related certification (e.g., SHRM-CP/SCP, CEBS, PHR)
4-6 years of experience in benefits administration, leave coordination, or related HR function
Knowledge of benefit plans, retirement programs (including 403(b)), FMLA, ADA, and other regulatory requirements
Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements related to health and welfare benefits, including ACA, HIPAA, ERISA and others
Strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion
Experience using HRIS systems
Preferred
Experience in a higher education or unionized environment
Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and shared governance structures
Benefits
403(b) Retirement Plan (8% employer contribution)
Generous Paid Time Off
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Benefits
Tuition Remission for employee upon hire
Tuition Remission for spouse or civil-union partner and IRS dependent after one-year of full-time continuous employment
Employer paid Short & Long-Term Disability
Employer sponsored Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), FSA, Telehealth and more
Company
Waco Tribune-Herald
Waco Tribune-Herald is a newspapers company that offers news, entertainment, and sports updates In Texas.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase