Benefits Representative

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

Location : New Orleans, LA

Job Type: Full-Time Staff

Job Number: 202200347

Division: Finance & Administration

Department: Human Resources

Opening Date: 08/30/2024

FLSA: Exempt

Description

Under the direction of the Benefits Manager, the Benefits Representative is responsible for administering, maintaining and determining eligibility for employee benefit plans offered to full-time faculty and staff and other benefits eligible employees.
This position assists in developing and distribution of various communications pertaining to new hire benefits onboarding, benefits offboarding and open enrollment; processes insurance carrier invoices; coordinates FMLA related leaves; assists with ongoing and annual ACA related responsibilities and COBRA administration.
The Benefits Representative reviews and approves tuition remission applications in accordance with the University's policy each semester.
In addition, the Benefits Representative must remain up to date on industry trends, regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and understanding of University policies and procedures affecting benefit programs offered.
This position will also assist with any ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) ongoing enhancements, as needed.
Examples of Duties Inform and enroll new employees in available benefit programs.
Administer annual open enrollment and status changes for all benefit plans for active employees and benefits eligible retirees.
Set-up employees' initial and qualifying life event benefits coverage in Colleague (HR/payroll system) and in corresponding benefit carriers systems and make premium adjustments as necessary due to benefit changes.
Review FSA (Flexible Spending Account) claims reimbursement report and submit weekly wire transfer to Third Party Administrator (TPA) via Financial Affairs.
Coordinate with TPA deposit and reconciliation of monthly report relating to COBRA, leaves and Retiree medical/life payments.
Serve as liaison between employees and the insurance carriers for Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, LTD, FSA, HSA and retirement plans.
Update and maintain files on active, terminated and retiree insurance enrollments and all benefit correspondence.
Set-up leave plans (vacation, sick and spiritual leave) in Colleague for all eligible new staff.
Set up monthly benefits enrollment periods and annual open enrollment period in Colleague.
Process and review monthly reporting from Colleague for required ACA reporting.
Assist with determining resolutions to issues or inquiries that arise related to benefits processes in Colleague.
Provide separating staff/faculty information relative to benefit options for COBRA and/or retirement plan when employment ends.
Review bi-weekly leave reporting in Colleague and communicate with supervisors as needed to update outstanding employee leave requests.
Prepare and balance various monthly benefit plan invoices and submit wire transfers for appropriate payments via Financial Affairs.
Administer Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations along with tracking hours taken and University paid leave policies pertaining to workers' compensation, vacation, sick leave, extended sick leave, parental leave and Long Term Disability (LTD) as appropriate.
Verify eligibility and process employee and dependent applications for tuition remission and provide approval information to Financial Aid in accordance with University policy.
Additional Responsibilities: Assist with preparing open enrollment guide, website and email communications for distribution to employees.
Assist with review and preparations of annual reports as required by Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Rotate minute taking at the Fringe Benefits Committee (FBC) meetings and assist Benefits Manager with strategic role in evaluating benefit plans with benefit consultant.
Assist with report generation as needed.
Review biweekly payroll reports for retirement plan deductions and prepare wire transfer to transmit contributions to TIAA.
Assist with planning and administering wellness benefits and programs and annual health fair.
Remain up-to-date on changes and updates to the Colleague HRIS.
Ensure business process documentation is created and/or updated, as needed.
Perform other duties or special projects as assigned.
Typical Qualifications Required Education, Experience, Skills & Abilities: Bachelor's Degree.
Minimum 2 years of experience in benefits administration, human resources, payroll and/or employee benefits consulting Must be detailed oriented, assume responsibility, and able to work independently without close supervision.
Effective planning and priority setting.
Ability to manage complex projects simultaneously.
Excellent analytical, organizational, oral and written communication skills.
Ability to reconcile monthly insurance premiums and benefit general ledger accounts.
Experience working with vendor benefits databases.
Proficient with Microsoft applications, such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for correspondence, presentations, database analysis and spreadsheet design.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, good judgment, tact and diplomacy in communicating with coworkers, University community and the public.
Additional Desirable Qualifications: PHR/SPHR/SHRM certification.
Experience with large volume benefits administration.
Experience working in higher education.
Experience with website development software.
Familiarity with HR Enterprise Resource System(s)/HRIS systems and report writing.
Prior experience with an ERP or HRIS implementation.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to complete the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and carry for five feet.
Ability to sit and work on a computer for long periods daily.


In accordance with the Campus Security Act as amended, Loyola University publishes annually and distributes to members of the academic community, and upon request to prospective (students/employees), an That report includes current policies and procedures of the University Police Department for the reporting of campus crimes, notifying the campus community of occurrence of campus crimes, policies regarding access to campus buildings, the enforcement authority of the University Police Officers and their relationship to local police.
University policies on the possession, use and sale of alcohol and illegal drugs are outlined.
The Campus sexual Assault Program and policy is described.
Campus crime statistics as defined under this law for the last three calendar years are included.
A copy of this report may be secured from the (Office of Admissions), (Office of Human Resources), or from the University Police Department.


Loyola University New Orleans does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran's status or national origin in its educational programs or activities, including employment and admissions.
At the same time, Loyola cherishes its right to seek and retain personnel who will make a positive contribution to its religious character, goals, and mission in order to enhance the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.


We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, tuition remission, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.


Part-time employees who work an average of 30 hours per week over the course of a year, receive certain benefits on a pro-rated basis.


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