Benefits Specialist

There is no college anywhere in the U.S. or the world quite like John Jay. Founded in 1964, John Jay College of Criminal Justice – a senior college of The City University of New York – has evolved into the preeminent international leader in educating for justice in its many dimensions. The College offers a rich liberal arts and professional curriculum that prepares students to serve the public interest as ethical leaders and engaged citizens.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Human Resources, this excluded position will be the lead professional staff member of the Benefits Unit, supervising one full time staff.

• Provide employee benefits counseling, ensure timely and accurate advice to employees on issues and questions relating to benefit plans and programs.
• Conduct new hire benefits orientations and ensure timely enrollment in benefit plans and programs.
• Review and process employee enrollment, status and election changes, and terminations of coverage.
• Process Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance Claims, monitor processing to ensure timely and accurate claim.
• Investigate and resolve benefits issues, anticipate problems whenever possible, and develop, recommend, and initiate appropriate steps for resolutions.
• Prepare announcements to employees as it relates to benefits education deadlines and changes in payroll deductions.
• Serves as the liaison for the Transit Benefit processing (Wage Works).
• Determine eligibility for FMLA, provide employee with forms and policy.
• Organizes and provides employee benefits programs for faculty and staff and coordinates benefits matters on behalf of a College or Unit.
• Counsels and assists staff on employee benefits matters
• Designs, creates, and conducts workshops and employee meetings related to benefits and benefits changes, including the annual open enrollment period
• Administers College benefits, providing information to carriers, retirement systems, welfare funds, and others as needed, managing data accuracy and completeness
• May coordinate complex programs, such as worker's compensation or leaves of absence
• Compiles data, monitors benefits statistics, prepares required and ad hoc reports, and conducts routine periodic audits of data entry for the College, CUNY Central, and outside parties as needed
• Represents the College at University benefits related meetings
• Develops and maintains employee benefits manuals, newsletter, policy descriptions, and other needed materials; maintains benefits-related information on College web site
• Maintains accurate, confidential employee records
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and four years' related experience required.

Other Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Public Health/Management or other closely related field with at least 18 credits, directly related coursework.
• Master's degree in Human Resources and/or certification highly preferred.
• At least four years of full time progressively responsible experience in a benefits administration capacity to include at least two years of supervision, preferably with NYC/NYS benefits programs and/or unionized environments.

Experience to include:

• Employee counseling, participation in benefits orientations and communication/marketing of benefit programs as well as third party enrollment, processing, reporting and customer service concerns as well as unit oversight and supervision.