| Position Summary | The Benefits Specialist is responsible to administer the leave of absence process for employees, gathering necessary documentation and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and university policies. This role involves coordinating with employees, supervisors and management to facilitate leaves of absence, including medical leave, family leave, workers’ compensation leaves and other university-specific, state and local leave policies. The benefits specialist ensures accurate record-keeping and provides support and guidance to employees and supervisors throughout the leave process.
Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 10,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 180,000 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN. |
| Primary Duties and Responsibilities | - Manage employee leave of absence programs ( FMLA, non-FMLA leave, etc.) ensuring proper documentation, compliance with relevant laws, and communication with employees and managers regarding their absences due to illnesses or work-related injuries.
- Manage the worker’s compensation claims process from initial reporting to resolution. This includes documenting incidents, filing claims with insurance carriers, and monitoring claim status.
- Process all Long-term and Short-term Disability claims and manager the state of Tennessee Death Claim Process.
- Review and process unemployment claims following state regulations and ensure all claims, state calls and ensure determinations and processed within the require timeframes.
- Analyze leave requests and reviews employee eligibility and certification. Collaborate with CHRO as needed to ensure all leaves are properly designated.
- Work with third-party administrators and provide support to employees throughout their leave process and ensure employees receive proper care, coordinate accommodation requests with the Office of Institutional Culture, and develop training resources for managers and employees
- Oversee other related services for all university employees. Related services include the sick leave bank, leave transfers in- and out, leave pay-outs, the employee assistance program, and other leave benefits offered to employees.
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| Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities | - Ability to prioritize work with a structured approach in a fast-paced environment with a commitment to providing exceptional customer service.
- Knowledge of HR programs and services with functional knowledge of two areas in HR preferred.
- Must have a strong desire and willingness to pursue excellence in customer service and demonstrate passion in creating an outstanding customer experience
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all federal and state regulations and laws,
- Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
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| Physical Requirements | - Typical office environment. No specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.
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| Required Minimum Qualifications | - Minimum of an Associate’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration or related field; or the equivalent of two years directly related benefits, human resources or payroll work experience providing high-level administrative support for programs and/or projects.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills,
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
- Previous experience using computer-based Human Resource Information Systems to access information and process transactions is preferred.
- PeopleAdmin and Oracle system experience is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision, self-directed, and detail oriented.
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