Total Rewards Specialist

Total Rewards Specialist

SCI Summary: SCI supports people with disabilities, behavioral challenges, medically complex needs, transitioning youth, the elderly, and other populations using Maryland Department of Health's Targeted Case Management and Supports Planning work models.

Position Summary: The Total Rewards Specialist supports Team Member Operations (TMO) by serving as the primary analyst for benefits administration, HRIS processes, reporting, and total rewards systems. This role combines deep expertise in benefits operations with strong UKG and HRIS capabilities to ensure Team Members experience accurate, efficient, and people-first support. The Total Rewards Specialist is responsible for administering benefit programs, supporting HRIS configuration and troubleshooting, managing vendor interfaces, producing data and analytics, and driving process improvement initiatives. This role serves as the key liaison between TMO, Payroll, IT, vendors, and shared HRIS resources to ensure the organization's people systems and total rewards programs operate effectively and compliantly. This role directly supports TMO's mission to deliver equitable compensation, competitive benefits, reliable People systems, and compliant processes through responsive service and data-driven solutions.

SCI Team Member Expectations: All SCI Team Members are expected to: Ensure services provided follow the organization's mission statement, core operating values and policies and procedures. Follow HIPAA, confidentiality and security procedures and principles; collaborate with peers, leadership, and support areas of the organization; actively participate in and contribute to leadership and other staff meetings and trainings; maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations; follow self-direction and person-centered planning procedures and philosophy; and to foster a culture that values diversity.

Essential Duties:

• Administer and support all health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, accident, HSA, FSA, COBRA, wellness, and retirement programs
• Serve as primary point of contact for benefit-related Team Member inquiries and escalations
• Coordinate and process qualifying life events, new hire enrollments, terminations, retirements, and annual open enrollment changes
• Maintain accurate benefit plan setup, deductions, and eligibility rules within UKG
• Partner with vendors and brokers to resolve issues, including: o CareFirst Administrators o Guardian o Optum o PlanSource o Voya o PSA Insurance o UKG Managed Services
• Reconcile carrier invoices, payroll deductions, enrollment files, HSA/FSA funding, COBRA activity, and retirement deductions
• Support annual benefits renewal, open enrollment planning, communication testing, and post-enrollment audits
• Assist with the transition of wellness initiatives following the sunset of Burnalong and support future wellness program administration

HRIS / UKG Administration

• Serve as Team Member Operations' primary UKG Pro and UKG BI subject matter expert
• Configure and maintain benefit plans, deduction codes, workflows, eligibility rules, notifications, security roles, and reporting structures within UKG
• Manage and troubleshoot inbound and outbound file feeds between UKG and external vendors
• Identify, investigate, and resolve data discrepancies, integration failures, payroll errors, and system issues
• Create and maintain process documentation, testing scripts, desk procedures, and standard operating procedures

Reporting, Analytics & Cost Containment

• Develop and maintain recurring reports and dashboards using UKG BI, Excel, and other reporting tools
• Analyze trends related to: o Benefits enrollment o Claims and utilization o Per employee per month (PEPM) costs o Turnover and workforce demographics o Open enrollment participation o Vendor performance and service levels
• Support reporting and analytics for: o Total Rewards Committee o Claims Review Tiger Team o Leadership Team and Board presentations o Annual benefits renewal and plan modeling
• Assist with claims cost containment initiatives by tracking high-cost claimants, utilization patterns, case management outcomes, specialty pharmacy trends, and out-of-network activity
• Prepare data and analyses to support decision making regarding plan design, contribution strategies, and future-state benefits programs

Compliance & Audit Support

• Support compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including: o ACA o COBRA o HIPAA o ERISA o Section 125 o FMLA o 403(b) requirements o SECURE 2.0 provisions
• Assist with preparation and coordination of annual compliance activities including: o ACA reporting o 5500 filings o Nondiscrimination testing o Audit requests o Benefits and payroll reconciliations
• Maintain accurate records and documentation to support audits, regulatory inquiries, and internal reviews

Process Improvement & Team Member Experience

• Evaluate and improve benefits and HRIS processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and Team Member experience
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve data integrity
• Recommend solutions that align with TMO's values: o People Come First o We Drive Solutions o We Build Connections o We Educate
• Develop user guides, FAQs, and training materials for Team Members, leaders, and People & Culture staff
• Support special projects related to compensation, wellness, recognition, HRIS enhancements, mergers, acquisitions, or organizational changes Supervisory Duties: N/A

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in benefits administration, HRIS, or total rewards
• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience with UKG Pro, UKG BI, or similar HRIS platforms
• Experience managing benefit plan setup, vendor interfaces, and payroll deductions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, formulas, and data reconciliation
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively to Team Members, leaders, and vendors

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a nonprofit, healthcare, or human services environment
• Experience with self-funded health plans and benefits cost containment strategies
• Experience supporting UKG Managed Services and UKG integrations
• Knowledge of CareFirst Administrators, Guardian, Optum, PlanSource, Voya, and PSA Insurance
• Experience with benefits analytics, claims reporting, and open enrollment strategy
• Professional certifications such as: o CEBS o CBP o HRIP o PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or large-scale HRIS implementations

SCI Value Related Competencies:

• People Come First (Customer Focus): Thinks and acts with people we support in mind when making decisions. Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external shareholders, uses information and feedback to improve services.
• Building Relationships and Connections: Interpersonal savvy. Relates to all kinds of people. Builds appropriate rapport, uses diplomacy and tact, diffuses high-tension situations comfortably. Establishes and maintains meaningful connections within the community and the organization (internal and external stakeholders)
• Education (Informing Others): Quickly finds common ground to solve problems. Is seen as a cooperative team player. Provides coaching and mentoring to Team Members. Consistent communicator, provides Team Members with the tools they need to perform their jobs in a timely manner. Explores all available options to make the best decision for internal and external holders
• Diversity: Values, appreciates and honors the ways in which cultural differences can create value in organizations. Is service oriented: Demonstrates a commitment to the philosophies for services and the goal of independence for the people we serve. Raises awareness in communities to appreciate the similarities and unique gifts of each person. Interacts with all kinds of Team Members equitably, deals effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages, and genders, supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all.
• Driving Solutions (Perseverance): Pursues all initiatives with energy, drive, and the goal to succeed.

Job-Specific Competencies:

• Business Insight: Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals