Senior Specialist, Benefits and Wellness
Job Summary
Assists with the administration of the State of Texas Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) benefits programs for Health and Optional Welfare benefit plans. Responsible for providing, developing, and implementing wellness initiatives targeted towards specific needs or requirements based on the ERS wellness strategy including establishing and monitoring partnerships with wellness providers and applicable services. Ensures compliance with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) and Optional Retirement Program (ORP) retirement plans. Administer Federal protected Family and Medical Leave.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Answer, research, and provide information regarding benefits, leaves, retirement, and wellness to employee inquiries/requests via Benefits group phone and email. Benefits include health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, supplemental life insurance, disability, leaves, voluntary benefits, and retirement plans.
Handle the Leave Administration process, from the employee’s initial request through the return to work, for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and HCC Non FMLA process in accordance with federal, state and HCC policies and procedures. This includes determining leave eligibility by reviewing and approving medical certification forms and accounting for continuous, intermittent, and reduced schedule leave usage, and emailing, or mailing required notices/communications designating leave as FMLA qualifying.
May provide coaching and guidance to employees and managers on employee situations related to Benefits and Leaves Administration and Wellness activities.
Enter Payroll Status Changes to ensure correct Pay Records based on leave status. Answer questions and resolve Payroll and Leave Balance discrepancies. Verify, calculate, and correct timekeeping and payroll records related to under/overpayments for employees approved for FMLA, Non FMLA, and Worker’s Compensation.
Utilize employee interactions to develop communications addressing commonly misunderstood benefit programs and develop communications to address benefit, retirement, wellness, and HCC Leave Regulations education needs.
Correspond with employees and process complex benefits enrollments regarding initial benefit enrollment, qualifying life events, and open enrollment options/corrections.
May develop, create, and coordinate educational seminars, presentations and webinars related to ERS benefits, wellness, and retirement offerings.
Assist in scheduling various health and wellness activities including special events, challenges, health fairs, and health screenings.
Participate and assist in managing the annual summer enrollment process. May serve as a backup for presentation of New Employee Benefits Onboarding and College Leadership Program (CLP) training.
Conduct account reconciliations and audits for Benefit Elections and Leave Enrollments.
Develop and present the communications strategy to Talent Engagement leadership for implementation.
Work as part of a team to strategize on intranet content, campaigns, and initiatives pertaining to benefits, leaves, retirement, and wellness
Perform other duties, tasks and assignments as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field required
• Associate’s degree or equivalent certification plus 4 years of human resources experience may be considered in lieu of required degree
• 3 years experience working with Benefits with a large employer (500+ employees) required
Licensing & Certification
• Valid Texas Driver License
Special Skills
• MS Office Programs
• Information Management Systems
Competencies
• Delivering High Quality Work
• Accepting Responsibility
• Serving Customers
• Supporting Organizational Goals
• Driving Continuous Improvement
• Acting with Integrity
• Thinking Critically
• Managing Change
• Communicating Effectively
Working Conditions
General Office. Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner. Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements. May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.
SECURITY SENSITIVE: This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215
The Organization
Houston Community College (HCC) is an open-admission, public institution of higher education offering a high-quality, affordable education for academic advancement, workforce training, career development and lifelong learning to prepare individuals in our diverse communities for life and work in a global and technological society. We’re proud to say that 98 percent of our graduates step into a job in their field of study immediately upon graduation. One of the largest community colleges in the nation, HCC has served the Greater Houston area for over four decades. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Schools Commission on Colleges, we offer 300+ associate degree and certificate programs to 75,000+ students across 13 Centers of Excellence and online each semester. We are proud to be No.1 among all community colleges in the nation in providing associate degrees to minorities and No.1 in educating international students, with 10.4 percent of our student population from outside the USA. Our vision is to become the Employer of Choice in support of our mission for Student Success by attracting, retaining and motivating the best employees.
The Team
Some of the brightest minds in academics and business are choosing HCC as their home. When you join our talented team, you’ll play a special role as teacher, mentor and academic advisor. We’ll support you in your professional development as you contribute your knowledge and expertise to HCC, our students and the community.
Location
Houston is a city with limitless possibilities:
- Fourth-largest city in the U.S. and home to 54 Fortune 500 companies, second only to New York City’s 55.
- Approximately 145 languages are spoken here.
- Overall after-taxes living costs are 5.6 percent below the average for all 308 urban areas recently surveyed.
- Houston is a major-league sports town, and don’t forget the annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
- The weather is great! Mild winters ensure that outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round.
- World-renowned medical care. The Houston metro area has long been known for its first-rate healthcare system, with many Houston area hospitals consistently ranking among the nation’s top institutions.
- With over 150 museums and cultural institutions in the Greater Houston area, museums are a large part of Houston’s cultural scene.
- Houston is the Culture & Culinary Capital of Texas with more than 7,500 restaurants and eating establishments covering 60+ cuisines.
EEO Statement
Houston Community College does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran’s status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Sandra B. Jacobson, J.D., M.Ed., SHRM-SCP, Interim Director of EEO and Compliance & Title IX Coordinator
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
PO Box 667517
Houston TX, 77266
713 718.8271 or hcc.oeotix@hccs.edu
HCC values its employees and their contributions, promotes opportunities for their professional growth and development, and provides a positive working and learning environment that encourages diversity, innovation and creativity, and inclusion.
Individuals with disabilities, who require special accommodations to interview, should contact (713) 718-8565.