BENEFITS ASSOCIATE - Ithaca College : Job Details

Job DescriptionAs an HR Benefits Associate in the Office of Human Resources, you'll play a key role in providing support to employees. The HR Benefits Associate will be responsible for employee inquiries, assisting employees with qualified life events, short term disability, NYS paid family leave, and FMLA. This is a fast-paced role that requires the ability to multitask, shift priorities effectively, and manage multiple responsibilities with efficiency and accuracy. This position also involves close collaboration with other HR team members to improve benefits processes, enhance efficiency, and contribute to a positive workplace experienceJob Summary:Perform a variety of administrative and operational duties in support of the Employee Benefits Department to include screening visitors, making appropriate referrals, responding to inquiries and providing customer service. Coordinate the administration of the COBRA Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, in collaboration with the Senior Benefits Consultant, process all leaves of absence transactions to include NYS disability, short-term disability (STD), family medical leave (FMLA), paid family leave (PFL), workers' compensation, long-term disability (LTD), military leave, as well as all other medical and non-medical paid and unpaid leaves of absences, and serve as the primary point of contact for ensuring employees and retirees have a beneficiary designated for all life insurance coverages, assist beneficiaries in initiating the life claim process with vendor, and responding to vendors requests for information to pay claims. Develop and utilize working knowledge of the College's Human Resource Information System (HRIS) to perform duties to include maintenance, data entry, reporting and data analysis and verification. Supervision: This position reports to the Sr. Benefits Consultant and will work with members of the Benefits & Human Resources team.Essential Duties:

Develop and maintain an understanding of health & welfare benefit plans and procedures. Provide assistance to employees who experience a qualified life status change. Monitor employee benefit life events and ensure accurate and timely processing of all life events.

Develop and maintain working knowledge of the College's Human Resource Information System (HRIS). Responsible for ensuring accuracy and timeliness of benefit transactions to include data entry of benefit record changes ensuring all data fields are properly updated in time to affect accurate payrolls.

Present benefits and absence-related material at new hire sessions and applicable training sessions as needed. Proactively assist new employees to ensure they have completed benefit enrollments in the required timeframe.

Coordinate the administrative processing of terminating employees to include preparation and distribution of life insurance and long-term disability conversion notices.

Coordinate and monitor the College's COBRA-Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act program and ensure overall compliance with regulations. Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of COBRA notification to qualified beneficiaries. Maintain procedural documentation.

In collaboration with Sr. Benefits Consultant, process all leaves of absence transactions to include NYS disability, short-term disability (STD), family medical leave (FMLA), paid family leave (PFL), workers' compensation, long-term disability (LTD), military leave, as well as all other medical and non-medical paid and unpaid leaves of absences.

Serve as primary point of contact for ensuring employees and retirees have a beneficiary designated for all life insurance coverages. Assist beneficiaries in initiating the life claim process with vendor, and responding to vendors requests for information to pay claims.

Generate IC HR Cloud workflow transactions, input data, and ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with established policies and procedures.

In collaboration with Benefits team, coordinate, plan, and implement the benefits expo, and other benefits related programming, including the coordination of benefit vendors on campus.

Assist with the benefit's program annual re-enrollment process to include timely ordering of materials and responding to employee inquiries. Draft communications as requested. Assist employees with the online re-enrollment process and provide counseling as needed. Provide support in the planning and coordination of the annual benefits expo and other special events.

Respond to individual and departmental inquiries regarding health & welfare plans, and benefit policies via phone, email, or other communication methods.

Ensure confidentiality and security of benefit records.

Participate in special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:Associate's degree and 3 years previous experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience; Must have a working knowledge of the complexities of employee benefits and leaves. In-depth knowledge of various word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications, excellent attention to detail, strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to handle multiple tasks and process confidential and sensitive information, work independently and as a member of a team in an active office environment; must be able to prioritize projects, handle multiple tasks with shifting prioritizes. Previous experience working with an on-line information and scheduling system, familiarity with web or graphics applications and experience working in a Human Resources environment in a college or university setting is preferred.This position is 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.Application Instructions:Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) ###-#### or [email protected]. Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.Hiring Rate:$25 per hourWe pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including: Healthcare including vision and dental Generous Paid Time Off Policies 403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution EAP Flexible Work Plans Educational Benefits Career-Enhancing Trainings For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.About UsAt Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.Nestled in the heart of New York State's scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger's as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at