Benefits Specialist

Position Information
Posting date
09/15/2026

Closing date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Position Number
1126934

Position Title
Benefits Specialist

Hiring Range Minimum
$59,300

Hiring Range Maximum
$74,200

Union Type
Not a Union Position

SEIU Level
Not an SEIU Position

FLSA Status
Exempt

Employment Category
Regular Full Time

Scheduled Months per Year
12

Scheduled Hours per Week
40

Schedule
Hybrid schedule with the opportunity to be remote for the right candidate

Location of Position
Hanover, NH 03755
7 Lebanon Street Suite 203

Remote Work Eligibility?
Hybrid

Is this a term position?
No

If yes, length of term in months.

Is this a grant funded position?
No

Position Purpose
Dartmouth's Total Rewards team is hiring a Benefits Specialist to work across our Health & Welfare programs. The role owns leave-of-absence administration, shares responsibility for Open Enrollment execution, and advises employees and managers on medical, dental, vision, and retiree benefits. It suits someone who wants real depth in more than one area of benefits administration and is comfortable being a resource that employees and colleagues rely on.

We're a small team, and cross-coverage is part of how we work. You'll interpret plan documents, policies, and federal and state regulations to make eligibility and coverage determinations, resolve non-routine cases, and become someone employees can count on for a clear, accurate answer.

Description

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• 2-4 years of benefits or HR service-delivery experience; experience spanning more than one program area (leave administration, health & welfare, retiree benefits, or wellness) is a strong plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong customer-service instincts as a front line point of contact
• Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and related leave regulations
• Demonstrated ability to interpret plan documents and regulations and make eligibility determinations independently
• Working knowledge of self-insured and fully insured benefit plan operations
• Strong organizational skills with close attention to detail
• Proficiency with HRIS/HRMS systems and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access); ability to learn new systems quickly
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA
  
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, competing priorities across more than one program area

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with leave-of-absence case administration
• Experience supporting open enrollment logistics or benefits communications
• Working knowledge of retiree health benefits, Medicare, and coordination of benefits
• Prior experience with bswift or a comparable benefits administration platform
• Experience in higher education or another complex, multi-constituency benefits environment

Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Kelli Ritter

Department Contact Phone Number
View phone number on click.appcast.io

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Kelli Ritter, Sr Dir Comp, Int Exec Dir Total Rewards

Department Contact's Phone Number
View phone number on click.appcast.io

Equal Opportunity Employer
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Not an essential function

Special Instructions to Applicants
Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy.

Additional Instructions

Quick Link

Key Accountabilities
Description


Leave Administration
Manage leave-of-absence cases: determine eligibility under FMLA, state leave law, and STD/LTD plan terms; designate and track leave; coordinate the ADA interactive process with HR Business Partners; advise managers on their obligations; and resolve non- standard cases.

Percentage Of Time
25

Description


Open Enrollment Execution
Plan and manage Open Enrollment execution with the Health & Welfare lead: develop the testing approach, resolve enrollment exceptions, decide what escalates, and recommend changes to materials and communications based on employee questions and errors.

Percentage Of Time
25

Description


Benefits Advising & Issue Resolution
Interpret plan provisions and Dartmouth policy to resolve complex and escalated medical, dental, vision, and retiree benefit questions. Determine handling of exceptions and appeals. Serve as a point of contact with carriers and administrators to resolve claims and eligibility issues on employees' behalf. Identify recurring issues and recommend process, system, or communication changes.

Percentage Of Time
30

Description


Compliance & Process Ownership
Maintain current knowledge of federal and state regulations and Dartmouth policy affecting benefits administration, and recommend policy and procedure updates as regulations change. Represent Total Rewards on cross-functional projects. Partner with Benefits colleagues, HR, vendors, and campus departments to keep processes consistent and well-documented.

Percentage Of Time
20

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Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.

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Performs other duties as assigned.