Benefits Specialist

Department: Univ Human Resources Central (XHR)

Position Title:
Consultant-Benefits

Appointment Type: Professional Faculty

Job Location:
Corvallis

Benefits Eligible: Full-Time, benefits eligible

Remote or Hybrid option?:
Yes

Job Summary

University Human Resources is seeking a Benefits Specialist. This is a full-time
(1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

The Benefit Specialist provides subject matter expertise and will work
with employees on benefits-related matters from date of hire through termination of employment or retirement. Benefits Specialists may work
with all classifications of employees on benefits-related matters. This position is responsible for promoting a responsive, service-oriented
operation in all functional areas. The Benefits Specialist performs a variety of records processing, administrative, and analytical tasks in
support of the Benefits section of the Office of University Human Resources (UHR).

This position is part of the Office of University
Human Resources, which directs a human resources management program, a benefits program, and a training and professional development program
for all OSU employees.

The Office’s mission is to provide innovative leadership, direction and services to achieve effective
management of a quality workforce supporting teaching, research, and public service at Oregon State University.

The Benefits
Specialist may also provide confidential assistance to the CHRO and Director in collective bargaining: interpreting and explaining policies;
assisting in writing proposals and assisting in collective bargaining meetings.

Why OSU?

Working for
Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers,
problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves – we seek them out and take them on. We welcome
students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted
mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for
all.

FACTS:
* Top 1.4% university in the world
* More research funding than all public
universities in Oregon combined
* 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
* 2 campuses, 11
colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
* 7 cultural resource centers that offer
education, celebration and belonging for everyone
* 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of
minor options and certificates
* 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
*
217k+ alumni worldwide
* For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon
State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the
Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best
college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the
Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an
eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon
State University offers a comprehensive benefits
package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
*
Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
* Free
confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
* Retirement savings paid by the
university.
* A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
* Tuition reduction
benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
* Robust Work Life
programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee
Assistance Program.
* Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of
mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of
a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos
and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and
students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.

2025 Best Place for Working Parents® Designation!

Future
and current OSU employees can use the Benefits
Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key
Responsibilities

35% TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND HUMAN RESOURCES DATA MANAGEMENT:

• Analyze operational
  situations presented by HR partners in service centers, managers, supervisors and department contacts
• Interpret policies/procedures
  and bargaining agreements to provide advice on such matters as eligibility for benefits, status changes and reinstatements
• Identify
  areas of non-compliance and following up with departments to collaborate regarding strategies to correct identified issues
• Collaborate with department managers regarding re-employment, leaves, summer insurance coverage (benefit tripling process), and
  deductions
• Explain and clarify benefits program, options, rules, processes and procedures for HR partners in service centers,
  managers, supervisors, and department heads
• Research and Resolving processing issues and report results to the Director
• Refer concerns beyond the normal scope of assigned authority to the Director or appropriate manager in UHR.
• Work with HR
  Officer to manage/track benefits eligibility for employees on FMLA and OFLA leaves.
• Analyze, audit and reconcile all items on
  various discrepancy and deduction reports; identify the cause of the discrepancy and make corrections Establish departmental tracking or
  audit systems when appropriate. This
• includes but is not limited to the Banner CBNC report, data warehouse audits, monitoring of
  job forms for benefit related changes, the triple deduct process, and the domestic partner imputed value process/reports.
• Utilize
  reports using systems such as the PEBB System, InTouch System, Banner, Appworx, Data Warehouse, CORE, and Workday to determine eligibility
  for health insurance benefits
• Maintain accuracy of high-volume data entry into multiple databases Process enrollment forms received
  in office and via email, as well as forms received via DocuSign
• Process mid-year changes to enrollment due to qualifying life
  events Develop a schedule of premium rates and employer contributions, enter payroll codes in Banner and complete calculations for health
  premium pro- rates and adjustments
• Regular use of Banner (SIS, FIS, HRIS), Data Warehouse, Appworx, Nolij, and BennyHire, and
  Workday, as well as Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Process, store and maintain confidential records to comply
  with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

30% Benefits Assistance and Benefits Oversight:

• Communicate benefit plan information, enrollment requirements and premium rates to employees.
• Manage administration of health
  insurance benefits for multiple classifications of employees including yearly open enrollment process
• Process COBRA
  dispositions
• Audit, update and modify employee deduction information in Banner. Reconcile insurance vendor payment variance
  reports
• Collaborate with the Employee & Labor Relations team to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements when making
  benefits decisions that impact SEIU Employees, the Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE) and the university
• Facilitate
  communication in person, via written and non-written methods with Human Resources team members, university department liaisons, service
  centers, directors and deans, insurance company representatives and account managers
• Manage tasks with competing deadlines while
  presented with multiple interruptions or challenges.
• Refers concerns beyond the normal scope of assigned authority to the Director
  or appropriate manager in the UHR

20% BENEFITS RELATED DOCUMENTS:

Analyze, administer, monitor and audit
benefit transactions to ensure compliance with policies, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements. This may include any of
the following:

• Process new employees and open enrollment forms
• Analyze forms and reports
• Verify benefits
  eligibility
• Evaluate if actions requested by an employee is in compliance with plan documents
• Verify accuracy and
  completeness of submitted documents
• Update employee benefits record in compliance with HRIS standards and practices
• Route
  forms and copies to appropriate parties
• Send out required notices, policies and confirmation statements
• Coordinate related
  actions with other benefits staff including Retirement and Protected Leave Officers
• Adjust employee benefits enrollments Scan
  and/or filing documents
• Archive and purge documents as needed
• Process life insurance and long-term care conversion
  applications
• Develop and maintain accurate publications and web page content for the pages on the Office of University Human
  Resources website
• Produce and maintain up to date enrollment plans, waiver and summer session documents
• Create and
  maintain email messaging templates to be communicated to plan members during initial enrollment, open enrollment regarding deadlines and if
  applicable summer session guidelines
• Regularly review and request updates to insurance benefit language used in model offer letters
  for benefit eligible employees
• Maintain supplies of benefits-related forms/booklets
• Order of forms and booklets as
  needed

10% COLLECTIVE BARGAINING:

• Provide aid to the CHRO, Director, and Employee & Labor Relations
  Director in formulating, determining, and effectively implementing managerial policies in collective bargaining
• As requested,
  prepare data and information to be used in bargaining by the university and assist with development of bargaining proposal language
  regarding benefits
• Maintain compliance with collective bargaining agreements for SEIU and CGE contracts
• Respond to request
  for evaluation of bargaining proposal impact on processes and administration of benefits, as directed by CHRO, Director and Employee & Labor
  Relations Director.

5% ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:

• Participate in the development of new employee orientation
  materials and website materials.
• Provide benefits packets, retirement packets and other benefits materials as requested by
  employees, service centers and departments
• Maintain supply for all benefits-related forms/booklets; ordering of forms and booklets
  as needed, schedule benefits and retirement workshops
• Other projects as assigned, such as conducting benefits orientations to
  explain/interpret benefit programs, rules, regulations.
• Develop plans for and serve as a representative at Benefits fairs, Graduate
  Student Orientation Resource Fair and other outreach events to provide information regarding plan benefits
• May provide first point
  of contact for customers entering the Office of Human Resources directing questions for matters including but not limited to: Employee
  Benefits, Retirement, FMLA/OFLA protected leave, Employment verification, Criminal history checks, Employee & Labor Relations, job postings,
  recruitment and Staff Fee Privileges.

What You Will Need

• A Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the
  work;

OR

• HR Professional Certificate from an accredited college/university or professional association and 2 years recent
  relevant experience directly related to the position.

OR

• Four years of recent relevant experience directly related to the
  position.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal and listening skills to effectively communicate with clients.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with diverse communities and ability to work in a collaborative inclusive environment.
• User-level experience with following software: Windows-based software experience Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a
Criminal History Check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576- 055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to
self-report convictions and those in Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every 24 months.

What We
Would Like You to Have

• Experience in human resources management, background with Public
• Employees Benefit Board
  (PEBB) benefit plans, including PEBB. Benefits; working knowledge of Banner HRIS software and the data warehouse.
• Preference will
  be given to individuals whose experience is in the benefits administration field.
• User-level experience with following software:
  Administrative data base: Sungard Higher Education Banner (HRIS module) Data Warehouse: Hummingbird BI, and Workday.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

• Sits for long periods of time, often working at a computer monitor.
• Must be able to work productively with frequent interruptions and in close proximity with co-workers.
• Must be able to work
  irregular hours (weekends, nights, etc.) to meet deadlines. Maintain appropriate attendance and office hours.
• Good time management
  and organizational skills.
• All Benefits team members are expected to cover duties (PEBB and non-PEBB plans) for each other as
  needed. Maintain sufficient knowledge of each other’s duties and procedures so fill-in coverage can be handled with minimal disruption.

Pay Method: Hourly

Pay Period: 16th – 15th of the following month

Pay
Date: Last working day of the month

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: $22.56 – $25.63

Link
to Position Description: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/28385

Number of Vacancies:
1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: 04/15/2026

Closing Date:
04/07/2026

Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search
Competitive / External – open to ALL qualified
applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants

When applying you will be required to attach the following
electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared
you for this position.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail
addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact: Brittney Holcomb at brittney.holcomb@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-2806

We are an Equal Opportunity
Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender
Public website prior to hire.

Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and
experience.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide
range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If
you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a
background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically
disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background
Checks website including the for candidates
section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor
Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.