Senior Benefits and Leave Specialist

Overview

Position /

Title:

Senior Benefits and Leave Specialist
Bargaining Unit: NON-UNION
Department/

Location:

Human Resources
Calendar Days: 260 days
Reports To: Coordinator of Employee Benefits
JD Revision Date: 02/13/2026
Supervises: N/A

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the first line of contact for District employees with benefit concerns and inquiries. Responsible for assisting the Benefits Coordinator with the administration of all benefit and risk management programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, leave of absence, and risk management. Coordinate daily benefit processing tasks, including enrollment, termination, and changes.

In addition, train other department Benefit Specialists on the benefits department s protocols. Provide excellent customer service to all internal and external customers, ensure benefits processing is timely, accurately entered in the HRIS systems, and provide data support (cleaning and analytical).

• Process and administer leave of absence requests, disability paperwork: medical, personal, disability, FMLA, etc.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits data, and update employee records as appropriate.
• Process benefits billing and train benefits staff to use the same protocols. Knowledge of A/P processes and ZOHO software preferred.
• Collaborate with HRIS systems management team to write, maintain, and support a variety of reports or queries using appropriate reporting tools. Participate in the development of standard reports for ongoing needs. Help maintain data integrity in benefit systems by running queries and preparing data for auditing as requested, including but not limited to absences, leaves of absences, Affordable Care Act (ACA) reports, etc.
• Analyze benefits and leave data and metrics, track trends, develop actionable recommendations, and conduct statistical analysis that guides the decision-making process.
• Maintain awareness of current trends in benefits and disability/leave management, with a focus on applying key technologies. Continuously increase HR/benefits knowledge through classes, reading, or other professional development opportunities. Participate in user group meetings/conferences and presentations as assigned.
• Produce weekly/monthly reports on benefits and leave Key Performance Indicators (KPI s) tracking performance goals and complete monthly and year end reports from various systems to track and benchmark trends (as assigned).
• Respond to benefit inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefit enrollments, status changes, and other general inquiries.
• Support the process of coordinating annual open enrollment, including timelines, communication, meetings, and collaborating with vendors and third-party administrators to support any plan changes.
• Assist employees regarding benefit claim issues, plan changes, and insurance verification requests.
• Ensure the accuracy and data integrity of all benefit enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
• Process and maintain retiree insurance records.
• Assist with new hire orientations.
• Risk management duties, including investigation, filing of workers  compensation claims, preparing and maintaining annual OSHA log and postings.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee HIPAA insurance data.
• Liaison between employee and healthcare service providers on claim and eligibility issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor s degree or related work experience is preferred.

• Minimum 5 years Human Resources/Benefits experience.
• Working knowledge of FMLA laws for all states, STD, Child Support, benefit enrollment, Americans with Disabilities, Affordable Care Act, and all federal and state laws.
• Experience with HRIS and benefits systems. Skyward experience preferred.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
• Experience in handling sensitive, confidential information.
• Ability to adhere to and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills with a keen ability to prioritize and multitask.
• Ability to work with both technical and administrative personnel.
• Ability to use database and Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to generate human resources reports and presentations.
• Proficient in specialized computer programs and applications
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse setting.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor.

• Ability to work on a computer for a major portion of the workday
• Ability to work on the telephone over a major portion of the workday
• Ability to work in a very fast-paced and stressful environment

• This is a 12-month position. Salary and benefits as established by the Board of Education.
• The full salary range for this position is $60,243.00 - $90,353.00. It is our typical practice to hire the minimun and midpoint ($75,298.00)
• Benefit and pension eligible.