Benefits Administrator

Position Title:

Benefits Administrator

Department/School:

Office of Human Resources

Job Summary:

Marist College welcome applications for the position of Benefits Administrator in the Office of Human Resources.  Reporting to the Manager of Total Compensation & Benefits, this role is responsible for managing leaves of absence and the day-to-day operations of employee benefit plans and programs: medical insurance plans, dental insurance, prescription plan, vision plan, life insurance, disability, and flexible spending plans, retirement plans, and retiree health exchange.

The Benefits Administrator is adaptable and customer service focused as the first point of contact for all faculty, staff, and retirees regarding leaves and benefit related activities and inquiries. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 1 to 3 years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience in benefits administration, leave management. 
• Solid business acumen – technical savvy, strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work as a specialist in a team environment.

Essential Functions:

Customer Service

• First point of contact for benefit-related inquiries
• Provides benefit support for College employees, spouses, dependents, and retirees
• Offers individual benefits counseling and problem-solving support to faculty and staff
• Resolves sensitive benefit-related issues
• Coordinates benefit related events and activities
• Conducts new hire benefit orientation
• Coordinates TIAA on-campus counseling sessions

Benefit Eligibility & Enrollment

• Approves and processes all tuition benefits and manages tuition exchange program
• Manages enrollment, changes, and termination of coverage in all benefit plans; ensuring compliance with federal and state rules
• Maintains and tracks all benefit enrollment eligibility and activity
• Obtains required TIAA change forms, acknowledgements, contribution changes, and other documentation
• Assists with benefits-related communications and policy revisions
• Distributes initial COBRA notices and qualifying event eligibility notices
• Writes operating procedures (SOP) for assigned benefits processes
• Processes carrier invoices, deposits and other payables/receivables

 Leave Management

• Manages leave of absence process for all employee groups
• Counsel and inform employees of rights and responsibilities
• Issues timely leave and wage replacement eligibility notices
• Manage recordkeeping for FMLA, NYS PFL and other leaves of absence
• Process and maintain short & long term disability claims
• Process and maintain short term WC claims; complete OSHA related compliance requirements
• Calculate eligibility for overlapped wage replacement and job protection benefits
• Secure sensitive data and documentation containing personal health information
• Develop and deliver leave of absence presentations for supervisors
• Provide payroll with disability income reports and other pay-related information
• Communication with supervisors regarding leave duration and work restrictions

Departmental Activities and Committee Membership

• Participate in departmental activities as assigned
• Serve as a member of College-sponsored committees as appointed
• Partake in professional development opportunities

Required Application Documents:

Cover Letter & Resume

About the Department and School:

In strategic partnership with the Marist community, the Office of Human Resources is committed to cultivating an equitable and distinctive workplace. We do this through the attraction, development, and recognition of a diverse and talented workforce.  Our team provides effective services and solutions in support of the College’s mission and core values, including:

• Benefits and Compensation
• Compliance with Federal, State, and Local laws
• Employee and Labor relations
• Learning and Development
• Organizational Development & Strategic Planning
• Performance Management
• Policy Development and Interpretation
• Recruitment and Retention

About Marist College:

Located on the banks of the historic Hudson River and at its Florence, Italy campus, Marist College is a comprehensive, independent institution grounded in the liberal arts. Its mission is to “help students develop the intellect, character, and skills required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.” Marist educates approximately 5,000 traditional-age undergraduate students and 1,200 adult and graduate students in 47 undergraduate majors and numerous graduate programs, including fully online MBA, MPA, MS, and MA degrees, and also Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant programs. Additionally, our graduates go on to great success; 97% over the last five years are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduating. Marist is consistently ranked among the best colleges and universities in America by The Princeton Review (Colleges That Create Futures and The Best 386 Colleges), U.S. News & World Report (2nd Most Innovative School/North), Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (“Best College Values”), and others. Marist’s study abroad program is ranked #3 in the nation by the U.S. State Department and includes unique first-year programs in Florence and Dublin. At Marist, approximately 50% of graduates study abroad during their undergraduate experience. Its 30-year Joint Study partnership with IBM has brought the College the kind of world-class technology platform typically found at leading research institutions. Marist’s academic centers of excellence include the nationally-known Marist Poll, Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership, Hudson River Valley Institute, Center for Sports Communication, and Institute for Data Center Professionals. The College also hosts the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library’s digital archives, making it one of only six colleges or universities in the nation affiliated with a presidential library.

Type of Position:

Full-Time

Classification:

Administrative

Months per Year:

12

Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm (on-site)

Please note: The primary work location for this position is Poughkeepsie, NY. Local, on-campus work in Poughkeepsie, NY will be required as a condition of employment.

Hours per Week:

37.5

Compensation & Benefits:

The Benefits Administrator position includes a competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package*.  Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation.  4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time and unlimited paid personal time for use at the supervisor’s approval.
• 15+ paid holidays per year including Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life Insurance
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
• First 6 years College contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
• College contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
• Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity – Roth option available.  Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.

Tuition Benefits:

• Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
• College pays 100% tuition only
• Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution

 *Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the College. 

Location:

Marist College main campus, Poughkeepsie, NY.

Number of Position Openings:

1

Equal Employment Statement:

Marist College is committed to creating a diverse workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the College will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of minorities, women, people with disabilities, and any other protected groups found to be under-represented.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The College will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated. The College will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist’s policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the College. It shall be considered a violation of College policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with respect to employment or attendance at Marist College on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.