Benefits Specialist

Benefits Life Events Specialist

The Benefits Life Events Specialist is responsible for supporting employees and their families through benefits changes associated with significant life and employment events. The Benefits Life Events Specialist manages complex and sensitive cases and serves as a trusted point of contact during transitions such as retirement, leaves of absence and the loss of a loved one. The role emphasizes accurate benefits administration, informed judgment and coordinated support to ensure a seamless and supportive employee experience.

What You'll Do:

• Independently manage employee and family benefit cases related to life and employment events, ensuring accurate application of benefit provisions and timely resolution.

Benefits Guidance & Decision Support:

• Provide clear, empathetic guidance on benefit options, eligibility, required actions, and deadlines using sound judgment within established policies and procedures.

Benefits Administration Coordination:

• Coordinate benefit changes across health, welfare, and retirement plans resulting from employee status changes to ensure accuracy and continuity of coverage.

Cross-Functional Partnership:

• Work closely with HR partners, payroll, leave administrators, vendors, and third-party administrators to resolve issues and support complex benefit transitions.

Documentation & Confidentiality:

• Maintain detailed case documentation and handle sensitive employee and family information with discretion, professionalism, and care.

Issue Identification & Process Feedback:

• Identify recurring case issues or systemic challenges and share insights with the benefits team to support continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent relevant experience.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of employee benefits administration or HR services experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting employees through complex or sensitive benefits-related life events preferred.
• PHR, CEBS, or similar professional certification preferred.
• Solid working knowledge of health and welfare benefits and general retirement plan concepts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise judgment while following established policies and procedures.
• Attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple complex cases simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Physical demand level is Sedentary.

What You'll Get:

At AEP, we're more than just an energy company!

We're a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

Salary Grade 6 ($74,551.00 - $93,188.50)

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-006

Compensation Range:

$74,551.00 - $93,188.50

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.