Benefits Specialist I (Inst)

## Benefits Specialist I (Inst)School/College/Division Description**Job Description** The Benefits Specialist plays a key role in supporting the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee community by delivering accurate, timely, and comprehensive benefits guidance to employees, human resources partners, and campus stakeholders. This position ensures employees understand benefit eligibility, options, and enrollment processes while maintaining compliance with university, state, and system policies. Serving as a trusted resource and subject matter expert, the Benefits Specialist contributes to an effective, employee-centered benefits program through collaboration, problem-solving, and continuous improvement in benefits administration and service delivery.**Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:** * Advises current and prospective employees and human resources staff on benefit eligibility, options, and applicable timelines according to established policies and procedures* Researches eligibility and enrollment rules, plan documents, contract statutes, and administrative codes to provide correct benefit resources and materials to human resources professionals and employees* Develops and facilitates employee benefit trainings and associated resources and materials* Serves as a unit subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing complex benefit information* Receives, processes, and audits benefit enrollments and changes according to established policies and procedures* Identifies opportunities for operational improvements and recommends changes to leadership**Additional Information:*** This position does **not** offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.* Selected candidates will be required to complete anform to verify eligibility to work in the U.S.* Hybrid work arrangements may be available. Primary work will be conducted on the UW-Milwaukee campus, with remote work requests considered after the initial training period. Details will be discussed during the interview process.* At least two (2) years of professional experience in human resources, benefits administration, or a closely related functional area* Demonstrated experience providing employee-facing consultation or customer support requiring interpretation and application of policies, procedures, or program rules* Demonstrated ability to interpret benefit eligibility, enrollment rules, and/or plan provisions and clearly explain them to employees or other stakeholders**Preferred Qualifications**- Receives, responds to, and resolves complex employee benefits questions, feedback and problems from employees, HR leadership, and campus partners through various mediums- Perform other duties as assigned**Minimum Qualifications** * Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field* Hands-on experience administering one or more employee benefit programs (e.g., health, dental, vision, retirement, or leave programs)* Experience using enterprise HR or benefits systems for benefits administration, audits, reporting, or data analysis (e.g., PeopleSoft, Workday, Benefitfocus or similar systems)* Knowledge of employee benefits administration practices and compliance requirements, including exposure to statutory, contractual, or regulatory frameworks* Demonstrated experience handling confidential or sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment* Experience working in a higher education, public sector, or other large, complex organizational environment**Target Salary Range**$52,000 to $57,000 (Final salary offer will be determined based on knowledge, skills, and experience)A cover letter addressing your education/experience as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualificationsIn instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from a candidate’s application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is Wisconsin’s second-largest university, with a unique dual mission of access and research to provide high-quality education for students from all backgrounds.UWMis one of 146 top research universities recognized as “R1” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. At UWM, we are committed to creating positive employee experiences, so our team members are able to thrive and excel in their work. UWMoffers a comprehensive benefits package and contributes toward the cost of several benefit plans. Employees with a qualifying position also receive an

including vacation, sick leave (with no expiration), personal holiday, and paid legal holidays. Please visit

to view summary benefits information (Compensation figures are for example purposes only). #J-18808-Ljbffr