Benefits Consultant

Position Information Hiring Department: Office of Human Resources Reports To: Director Job Location: On-Site; El Paso, TX Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends FLSA status: exempt Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible. Salary: $53,000 annually Required Application Materials Resume Cover Letter List of three references Position Summary The Benefit Consultant serves as a subject-matter expert in employee benefits, providing strategic guidance, individualized counseling, and clear communication to support employees in understanding and maximizing their health, retirement, and wellness options. This role is responsible for educating employees, ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements, and delivering exceptional service throughout the entire benefits lifecycle—from onboarding to retirement. Key Responsibilities Employee Support & Consultation - 35% Provide clear explanations of available benefit programs, including health, wellness, retirement, and voluntary plans. Conduct benefits orientations for new hires. Offer one-on-one assistance to employees with the navigation of benefit selections or changes.. Respond to employee inquiries and elevate complex issues when appropriate. Support retirement information sessions and provide general guidance on available programs and timelines. Enrollments & Administration Support – 30% Assist with open enrollment processes and ensure timely completion of benefit elections. Support qualifying life events (QLE) changes and documentation requirements. Coordinate with HRIS and vendor systems to ensure accurate benefit data entry and updates. Monitor enrollment records and help resolve discrepancies. Compliance & Data Accuracy – 20% Ensure benefit transactions follow institutional policies and applicable regulations (e.g., ACA, Medicare, UT System guidelines). Assist with audits and reporting related to benefits programs. Stay informed of benefit program updates and regulatory changes. Communication & Engagement – 15% Support development of benefit materials such as guides, FAQs, and presentations. Assist with campus-wide communications regarding enrollment periods and benefit updates. Facilitate workshops or informational sessions to enhance employee understanding of benefit offerings. Statement Of Duties And Responsibilities Participates in developing goals, objectives and systems; administers various human resources plans and procedures. Assists in the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures; prepares and maintains policies and procedures manuals. Evaluates and analyzes reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals; recommends new approaches, policies, and procedures to effect continual improvement in efficiency of department and services provided. Administers various employee benefit programs, such as group insurance, life, medical, dental, accident and disability, pensions, investments, and savings. Conduct benefit orientations and enrollment sessions; presents overview of new and existing plan information during annual enrollment; prepares and sets up meetings designed to help employees obtain information and understand benefits and other related incentive programs; creates and revises existing benefits forms, letters, and policies. Enrolls new employees in benefit plans and assists employees in calculating cost of optional coverage; assists employees in filing health, dental, life, and all other related and deferred benefit claims; processes status changes and reviews claims; processes and maintains status reports in a timely and accurate manner; performs data entry of benefit and retirement information; assembles various benefits packages; issues annual individual summary of benefits to employees; conducts the clearance process for employees separating their employment. Maintains vendor contact to investigate discrepancies and provide information in non-routine situations; provides vendors appropriate documentation for life, pension, and disability benefits claims. Responds to inquiries from various Federal and State governmental agencies relating to employee benefits; performs data match to provide information to the Social Security Administration. May coordinate, create or lead administrative staff meetings, other meetings and seminars, and annual campus functions such as retirement, convocation, and health fairs. Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems. Complies with all State and University policies. Other duties may be assigned. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; OR Equivalent combination of education and directly related experience. Experience: Two years of experience in benefits administration, human resource, consultation or related employee support functions. Strong customer service and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to synthesize and communicate complex information in a clear, accessible, and audience-appropriate manner. Preferred Qualifications Experience working with benefit systems and/or enterprise systems. Experience supporting employee benefits in a public sector or higher education environment. Experience within the University of Texas System. Bilingual in English and Spanish. Experience facilitating group presentations or orientations. Familiarity with health and retirement benefit programs. Skills Strong organizational and time-management skills. Expertise in benefits counseling and enrollment support. Solid understanding of compliance requirements and regulatory frameworks. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer-service skills. Problem-solving ability paired with empathetic listening. Competency Strategic thinking and the ability to anticipate employee needs. Ability to influence, guide, and support employees at all levels of the organization. Commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and high-quality service. Why Pick UTEP The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP ) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve. UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America. This is an especially exciting time to join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan . Built around the institution’s core strengths—its location, its people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships—the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the University’s regional impact and national stature. What UTEP Offers Miner Perks and Benefits Benefit Package includes: Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance and Wellness platform Voluntary Benefits: Dental, Vision, Additional life insurance, UT Flex, Short and Long - term disability plans Retirement Programs Longevity Pay Paid Vacation & Sick Leave Paid Holidays Employee Discounts & Perks Employee Education Assistance program And much more! Visit our Benefits Summary Page for more information on our additional benefits. Disclaimer: Eligibility for perks and benefits may vary based on part-time or full-time employment. Additional Information Note: To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand and walk. The employee must regularly sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate. In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to a learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment. The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries—including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident—about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io, by email at View email address on click.appcast.io , or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 223C. For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at View email address on click.appcast.io . #J-18808-Ljbffr The University of Texas at El Paso