Benefits Support Specialist

Benefits Support Specialist The Benefits Support Specialist provides administrative and customer service support for employee benefits programs within the Human Resources Department. This position assists employees with health insurance, retirement plans, workers' compensation, leave programs, and other employee benefits. The specialist serves as a resource for employees, retirees, and administrators by providing accurate information, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, confidentiality, and a commitment to excellent customer service in a public education environment. Essential Functions: Assist employees with enrollment, changes, and termination of health and supplemental insurance benefits. Provide employees with information regarding benefit eligibility, coverage options, premiums, and enrollment procedures. Assist with annual open enrollment activities and assist with employee communications and educational materials. Maintain accurate benefit records in related databases. Assist with the administration of workers' compensation claims, including reporting injuries, maintaining records, and communicating with employees, supervisors, medical providers, and insurance carriers. Monitor workers' compensation documentation and ensure compliance with reporting requirements. Support the administration of leave programs, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), sick leave, personal leave, and other approved absences. Maintain confidential medical and leave related records. Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits, retirement, leave, and workers' compensation programs. Explain policies, procedures, and required documentation to employees and supervisors. Conduct benefit orientations for new employees and assist with onboarding activities. Provide exceptional customer service while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism. Support HR department initiatives and special projects. Assist with employee communications related to benefits and wellness programs. Collaborate with payroll, finance, insurance carriers, retirement agencies, and third‑party administrators. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or state issued equivalent Preferred Qualifications: Associate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field Minimum of two (2) years of experience in benefits administration, human resources, payroll, insurance, or related administrative work Experience in a public school district, government agency, or public sector organization Employment Terms: 240 day work calendar FLSA: Non‑Exempt Reports to: Benefits Coordinator Annual Salary based on verified years of experience in a similar position Annual Salary Range: $46,845 - $64,844 Performance Factors: Sedentary work. Lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like files, ledgers, and small tools. Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time. Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling. Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discrimination in sounds. Vision: The ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye. Interaction with Others: Ability to maintain, on a regular and consistent basis, relationships that are not characterized by high levels of hostility, social withdrawal or failure to communicate. Ability to be flexible relative to daily routines. Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the differences among diverse populations. Concentration: Ability to maintain workflow and thought processes in the presence of frequent distractions. Ability to ignore irrelevant sights or sounds and intrusive thoughts or stimuli. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with only few or no errors. Stressful Circumstances: Ability to produce quality work when short or unexpected deadlines are presented. Ability to adjust work processes without incident when new and unexpected directions are given relative to a project that may be in process. Ability to maintain composure and not compound a situation when interacting with persons who may be angry, demanding or otherwise less than polite. Independent Judgment: Ability to complete work tasks without being given precise directions relative to work steps or the final project. Decision Making: Ability to make appropriate business decisions. Public Contact: Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with superiors, colleagues, and other individuals within and external to the school system. Ability to demonstrate professionalism while interacting with others and to maintain constructive working relationships. Attendance and Dependability: Ability to be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and to seldom be absent from work. Ability to complete work in a timely, accurate manner and to be conscientious about work performance. Selection Procedures: The Jackson County School System is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. The Jackson County School System is a drug‑free workplace. A background check will be completed upon hire, which may consist of any or all of the following: criminal and employment histories, credit history (as applicable to the position), education credentials, and motor vehicle driving records. #J-18808-Ljbffr