(Hybrid) Workforce Administration Specialist (Benefits) - Shared Services

The Shared Services Center at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Benefits Workforce Administration Specialist.

About the Opportunity

This position will serve as a subject matter expert in employee benefits and provides assistance to employees, retirees, and surviving dependents on all aspects of health, basic life, optional life, AIG insurance, disability coverage and all insurances through PEIA and Mountaineer Flexible Benefits (FBMC). This position will resolve more complex and difficult cases (Tier 2) that are received via phone, email, the HR portal, or other access channels. The incumbent will use case management tools to respond to and track employee and manager inquiries, using judgment, experience, knowledge, and independent thinking abilities. This person is accountable for timely and effective response, resolution, and escalation of incoming employee benefits inquiries, in accordance with established Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Demonstrate service excellence and positive interpersonal relations when enrolling new hires or helping existing employees with changes to benefits. Provide counseling, guidance and interpretation of various benefits related questions for all WVU employees, including system campuses (WVU Beckley, WVU Keyser and WVU Parkersburg) in a positive manner.
• Explain the rules and regulations, policies and procedures and state/federal regulations concerning various enrollments to employees, state agency representative and various benefit vendors.
• Identify, approve, input, and code change-in-status forms into the PEIA database system (Benefits Administration System BAS).
• Ensure enrollment with flexible spending account vendor and responds to FSA problems and questions from employees.
• Coordinate the annual open enrollment process with the T&C Benefits Center of Excellence (COE). Meet with employees, reviews forms for accuracy, and notifies appropriate vendors.
• Ensure employee benefits enrollment forms are completed correctly before submitted for keying by employee data team.
• Process name and address changes in PEIA, FMBC, and other benefit vendors. Key changes directly into PEIA system (BAS - Benefit Administration System).
• Research billing deduction and element corrections received from central Talent and Culture center of excellence.
• Review PEIA reconciliation report from Center of Excellence (COE) to resolve identified issues.
• Respond to questions regarding leave of absence premium billing and collect and remit benefit premium payments.
• Calculate premiums due for enrollment forms received past the payroll cutoff, or for premiums missed, late forms, etc.,
• Calculate Supplemental Retirement Annuities to ensure compliance with federal law for deferrals.
• Review transfer of benefits for state agency transfers to ensure accurate leave balances and deductions.
• Process employees for retirement with basic life dates effective July 1, 2010 or later.
• May process Dependent Education Scholarship benefits.
• May assist Center of Excellence benefits team with group presentations to employees regarding benefits offered by WVU.
• Assist supervisors on specialist projects to design for process improvement and enhanced customer satisfaction.
• Use appropriate judgement to escalate complex employee benefits issues and works collaboratively with Talent and Culture Benefits Center of Excellence team to resolve benefits issues.
• Serve as a resource to the Customer Service Agents to help ensure a high percentage of first-time call resolution for customers.

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following:
  • Experience in employee benefits
  • Demonstrated experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access) and human resources information systems, preferably Oracle
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of health and welfare benefits enrollment process
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations and rules related to employee benefit plans.(e.g. qualifying life event, flexible spending account rules, limits on supplemental retirement plans)
• Ability to research complex issues and prepare options for resolution
• Ability to develop and deliver employee benefits presentations
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Effective interpersonal skills and demonstrated success with ability to build and maintain effective work relationships. High degree of integrity and reliability
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft office products, such as Excel, Word, Access
• Demonstrated experience in providing exceptional level of customer service, to all levels of the organization

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.