Employee Benefits Specialist

Employee Benefits Specialist

Under the direction of the Department Manager of Human Resources, the Employee Benefits Specialist provides essential operational support to the Senior Benefits Administrator in the comprehensive administration of health and welfare programs for both union and non-bargained employees. This role is responsible for new hire employee benefits orientations, accurate enrollment processing, data integrity across carrier/TPA portals and HRIS, issue research and resolution, new benefits implementations, establishing vendor relationships, and end-to-end coordination of FMLA and related leave programs. The Employee Benefits Specialist safeguards confidential employee information, upholds strict compliance with HIPAA and applicable statutes, and contributes to project planning, process improvements, and a high-quality employee experience.

Essential duties include:

1. Processing benefit enrollments for eligible employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with plan eligibility requirements.
2. Researching, analyzing, and resolving participant benefit issues by interpreting plan documents, vendor guidelines, and eligibility rules.
3. Assisting with review of applications for and administration of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
4. Assisting with the review of applications for and administration of Pace Short Term Disability Benefits.
5. Assisting with all phases of open enrollment and Pace annual wellness health fares.
6. Collaborating with the Senior Benefits Administrator to support efficient daily operations by resolving issues, coordinating workflows, and ensuring the timely and accurate completion of benefits and HR-related tasks.

Qualifications

Education:

Must have a Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field, or equivalent work experience.

Experience:

Must have a minimum of 3 years of experience in the administration of group health plans and short-term disability benefits. Must have a minimum of 3 years of proven experience in administering FMLA leave requests.

Certifications:

CEBS or SHRM-CP certification is preferred.

Essential Skills:

Must have excellent reading comprehension, research, and verbal and written communication skills and be able to explain complex benefits in a clear and empathetic way.

Must be a highly organized, detail oriented, and resourceful team player.

Must be able to successfully and efficiently work on multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines.

Must have strong computer skills, including using Westlaw and be proficient using Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Adobe, Excel, SharePoint, and PowerPoint.

Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and in the use of HRIS systems, preferably Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to sit for extended periods of time, type on a computer, and answer telephone calls.

Working Conditions:

This position is based in an office setting, with standard office equipment. The applicant may be required to carry up to 10 pounds.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of a 6-month job introduction period.

Salary:

Full Salary Range: $50,467-110,273

Midpoint: $80,370

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $65,418-$95,322.

Pace provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their long-term growth potential.

BENEFITS SUMMARY

Pace, the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority ("Pace"), was established to aid and assist public transportation in the six-county northeastern Illinois area consisting of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.

As an equal opportunity employer, Pace seeks to employ qualified personnel in all job classifications and to provide equal opportunities in a manner that will not discriminate against any person because of actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital or civil union status, citizenship status, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, order of protection status, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic defined under applicable law.

Thank you for your interest in Pace. If you are having difficulty completing this application or require other assistance, please contact Devlin Collins at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Job Identification 249

Posting Date 03/30/2026, 06:55 PM

Degree Level Bachelor's Degree

Job Schedule Full time

Locations 550 W Algonquin Rd, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005, US (On-site)