Optional Retirement Program Specialist

About the Opportunity
The ORP Specialist provides day-to-day support to the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) Consultants, Business Analyst, and Retirement Plans Director as well as participants of the UNC System. Support includes a high level of customer service and responsiveness; includes supporting employment reviews, triage ORP inbox emails from BSC, support monthly audits of outstanding UBA action items, and special projects as assigned.

This position is a remote work arrangement with occasional travel required to the UNC System Office located in Raleigh, NC. UNC System employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

About the UNC System Office

The UNC System Office includes the offices of the President and other senior administrators of the multi-campus University of North Carolina System. The UNC System is a treasured public institution dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina through world-class teaching, research, and community engagement. Today, nearly 250,000 students are enrolled in our 16 universities across the state and at the NC School of Science and Mathematics. System Office staff is responsible for executing the policies of the UNC Board of Governors and providing University-wide leadership in the areas of academic affairs, business and financial management, long-range planning, student affairs, research, legal affairs, and government relations. The UNC System Office also has administrative oversight of a number of University affiliates, including PBS North Carolina, the North Carolina Arboretum, the NC State Education Assistance Authority, and University of North Carolina Press.

About the Team
The office of the Chief Operating Officer reports to the President of the University and is responsible for internal and campus-focused operational priorities of the University. The office provides oversight for human resources, auditing, and compliance divisions. These divisions have both an internal responsibility to the system office operation and a campus-focused coordinative /leadership role within the noted areas of expertise. The office provides advice and briefings to the President and is expected to build and foster relationships on behalf of the President and to engage with Chancellors while leveraging their expertise to further the President's strategic priorities.

The Human Resources division serves as a strategic partner to the President UNC System Office senior leadership, Board of Governors, and to the chief human resources officers and their HR offices of the 17 constituent institutions of the University regarding policy and process implementation, HR management, benefit management, classification and compensation, employee relations, talent acquisition and human resources information systems (HRIS). Human Resources administers UNC Policies for employees exempt from the State Human Resource Act on behalf of the President and the Board; HR also administers delegated human resources responsibilities in collaboration with the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources for employees Subject to the Human Resources Act. The division is also responsible for management of a shared services payroll for nine constituent institutions, maintenance of the UNC System HR DataMart for personnel data, and the oversight and execution of the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), Empyrean Platform, and other University-specific benefit programs.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Graduation from a four-year college or university; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Required Competencies
Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasked environment, and prioritize and manage multiple requests and deadlines. Must have strong organizational skills, be detail oriented, and self-starter. Ability to demonstrate good judgment, empathy, and compassion appropriate for the situation and all parties involved. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Ability to work effectively with customers from all areas and levels within a growing diverse community/population. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite programs (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) as well as adaptability to learn and function in other systems used to perform the needed daily tasks and projects assigned.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
Prefer at least 1-2 years of state and university benefits administration experience.
Experience in ORP retirement administration and retirement programs, including retiree health insurance.

• Classification: Human Resources Specialist
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Employment Type: EHRA
• EHRA Category: Exempt Professional Staff
• Recruitment Salary Range: $56,000-$60,000
• Location: Raleigh, NC USA
• Position Number: 20075033
• Special Instructions to Applicants: The posting remains open until filled, but applications received by Friday, March 20, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Other Information
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Human Resources Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: recruiter@northcarolina.edu.