Human Resources Benefits & Leave Specialist

JOB INFORMATION

The Human Resources Benefits & Leave Specialist provides excellent customer service and assistance to a diverse employee population in the areas of employee benefits and protected leave. Under the direction of the Benefits manager, the Department Specialist is responsible for coordinating benefit premium deductions, reconciliations and payments and administers protected leave. May meet with employees one-on-one regarding confidential leave and benefit matters. May provide group benefit presentations. The ideal team member will be detail oriented, self-motivated, empathetic, and a collaborator who can focus on the details while effectively prioritizing work and meeting deadlines.

Chemeketa is a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution that aspires to be an inclusive environment where we honor and value the unique contributions of our diverse students, employees, and community. We seek to foster cultural competence and pursue equitable solutions that support all students in achieving their educational goals. If you are interested in joining the work of the college to pursue a supportive and inclusive culture, we encourage you to apply.

When applying for this position, please attach the electronic documents listed below. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected as an incomplete application. Any documents you provide that are not listed will not been seen by the Search Committee.

• Unofficial Transcripts - An electronic copy of your academic transcript(s) from an accredited institution which clearly indicate the degree awarded, and any other applicable information, must be attached with your application if you would like it considered as part of your eligibility for the position. Any applicants who earned academic credentials from outside of the United States and wish to use those credits for consideration must also upload an evaluation of college credit earned at the non-U.S. institution.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures accuracy of benefit processes and relevant timelines are met for, benefits, and protected leave processes
• Assists employees to accurately complete benefit and retirement enrollment
• Acts as a liaison with benefit carriers, outside agencies, and employees; notifies carriers of changes to employee coverage
• Updates forms and benefit information and maintains College intranet with current information
• Maintains working knowledge of insurance benefits and retirement plans, information, guidelines and applicable law
• Provides benefit, retirement, and leave education and information to candidates, current employees, retirees and transitioning employees
• Schedules and presents monthly benefits orientation
• Researches, audits, and resolves, complicated benefit and protected leave issues in OEBB and Banner system, making appropriate adjustments
• Assists with all aspects of Open enrollment
• Assists with training, advising and consulting with staff and outside agencies on all aspects of benefits, and retirement to ensure compliance and understanding of applicable laws and college policies
• Clarifies, advises and provides training on, protected leave and retirement policies and procedures, works to resolve discrepancies
• Ensures proper processing of benefit deductions and enters/monitors/audits deductions in monthly payroll; resolves discrepancies and analyzes deduction calculations to ensure accuracy
• Analyzes pay, benefit deductions and leave balances to determine if pay discrepancy exists,and coordinates with Payroll
• Tracks benefit eligibility, including ACA tracking and gathering reporting data.; monitors and processes tuition waiver eligibility
• Works in partnership with the Benefits Manager to manage the Benefits system: researching, analyzing, and determining best practice; evaluates issues and works to collaboratively plan and implement adjustments
• Collaborates on complicated benefit/payroll/protected leave situations

• Administers federal and state Family Medical Leave FMLA/OFLA/OPL processes with the Benefits team
• Assists with the determination of eligibility including: eligibility review, providing notices, processing and tracking FMLA, OFLA, OPL and LTD leaves, ensures compliance with state and federal laws, collective bargaining agreements and college practices
• Responsible for tracking protected leave
• Maintains current and accurate information for employee protected leave
• Communicates with employees and supervisors in a timely manner
• Maintains current and thorough knowledge of applicable leave laws

• Embraces diversity and actively collaborates effectively with a variety of students, staff and the public from diverse cultural, social, economic and educational backgrounds
• Participates in recruitment and retention of students at an individual and institutional level in promotion of student success
• Embraces, understands and uses appropriate technology tools to accomplish job functions
• Provides high quality, effective service to internal and external customers through continuous improvement and adoption of lean office practices

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

Your application will be scored based on the minimum qualifications, core competencies, and preferred qualifications listed below. If you are unsure whether you meet all of the qualifications , we encourage you to apply and address through your application materials all of the relevant education, transferable skills, and related experience that makes you a great candidate for this position. The information provided on your application will be used to determine step placement upon hire. Please ensure you include all information on your application which you wish to be considered.

Minimum Qualifications:

Core Competencies:

• Local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations related to Benefits, and Federal/state leave laws

• Benefits calculations
• Communication, writing, editing, formatting, and proofreading skills Excel Spreadsheet usage and formatting
• Performing data entry, processing information, preparing reports, performing record keeping, providing customer service
• Interpersonal skills and teamwork as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction
• Bicultural/multicultural skills sufficient to select appropriate behaviors, values and attitudes within different cultures during interactions with others

• Working effectively within a team environment including proactively sharing knowledge, positively managing relationships with co-workers, and working collaboratively to support team members in delivering excellent customer service and meeting department objectives
• Providing customer service internally and externally
• Responding to requests for clarification and interpretation of data
• Use technology to create reports and review data

• Experience working in an Institution of Higher Education
• Experience with Ellucian Banner
• Experience presenting information to consumers or employee groups
• Bilingual English/Spanish

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SCHEDULE & MODALITY

• This is a 100%, 12-month classified assignment of the B3 band and grade
• Please note: The college is currently undertaking a comprehensive classification and compensation study. No employee will lose base pay because of this study, however, classification titles and pay grades may change. The successful candidate will receive notice of all changes prior to implementation which is currently projected for the Fall of 2025.
• This position has a 6-month probationary period
• All positions at Chemeketa are required to be available for work onsite as requested by the college.
• Requires flexible work schedule to meet program needs, which may include evenings and/or weekends
• This position may require the use of your personal vehicle for transportation between campus locations
• If requested, requires the provision of official transcripts upon hire
• Employees must maintain Oregon, Washington or Idaho residency as a condition of employment.
• Successful applicants for designated positions must successfully pass a background inquiry, which may include criminal, driving, credit and full background checks. Only information relevant to the position will be considered. An individual with negative information on their background inquiry will not necessarily be denied employment.
• Providing false information will result in rejection of an application, employment offer or dismissal

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary requirements are met.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Applicants are eligible to use Veterans' Preference when applying with Chemeketa Community College in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230 and 408.235; and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be given only if the applicant meets the minimum criteria of the position and electronically attach the required documentation at the time of application.

For information regarding Veterans' Preference qualifications, visit http://www.oregonjobs.org/DAS/STJOBS/vetpoints.shtmlq

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE

• One of the following:
  • MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) -OR-
  • Letter from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension -OR-
  • Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate
• In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:
  • A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs -OR-
  • Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

• Please Note: As part of the first round of screening, the committee will conduct an anonymous review of the application materials and will not be able to view any personally identifiable information. Please be sure that your application is complete and thoroughly depicts how you meet the minimum qualifications, core competencies and preferred qualifications. Required documents must be provided at the time of application. Any applications which do not have the required documents attached will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Chemeketa makes employment decisions based solely on the candidate's demonstrated competencies as related to successful performance in the position.

LEGAL COMPLIANCE

Chemeketa Community College prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the following:

Under College policies, equal opportunity for employment, admission, and participation in the College’s programs, services, and activities will be extended to all persons, and the College will promote equal opportunity and treatment through application of its policies and other College efforts designed for that purpose.

504/ADA Coordinator for Students

For concerns, inquiries or complaints regarding student disability accessibility and accommodations, please contact Karen Alexander, Director of Student Accessibility and Testing Services. Ph: 503.399.5276

Section 504/ADA Coordinator for Employees

For concerns, inquiries or complaints regarding employee disability accessibility and accommodations, please contact Alice Sprague, Vice President of Governance & Administration. Ph: 503.399.2537

Persons having questions or concerns about Title IX, which includes gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, gender-based violence, and stalking, please contact the Title IX coordinator, Jon Mathis. Ph: 503.584.7323, Located at 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97305, You can find additional information at http://go.chemeketa.edu/titleix.

All persons having questions or concerns related to Equal Employment Opportunity or Affirmative Action should contact the Affirmative Action Officer at 503.399.2537, 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem OR 97305.

Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), 810 3rd Avenue #750, Seattle, WA 98104, 206.607.1600.

To request this publication in an alternative format, please call 503.399.5192. For language access please call 503.399.2537 or email alice.sprague@chemeketa.edu.

In addition to a rewarding and energizing career opportunity, Chemeketa offers a comprehensive benefits package to all salaried Chemeketa employees and eligible dependents. Benefits available to Chemeketa employee's include:

Core Benefits: Complete health insurance package, employer-paid group life insurance, Long term disability insurance, employee assistance programs

Voluntary Benefits: Voluntary life insurance, long term care insurance, AFLAC cancer insurance, flexible spending accounts.

Qualifying employees will receive contributions to the Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS) as well as the opportunity to enroll in optional 403(b) and 457(b) deferred compensation plans.

Additional perks of joining the Chemeketa team include tuition waiver for employees and their qualifying dependents, on-campus wellness activities, and generous leave policies.