Associate Director, Benefits Administration and Worker's Compensation, and EAP

At CSUN we aspire to continually grow as an inclusive, cooperative community! 

CSUN strives to be a destination workplace, where everyone understands that they belong to a community that is vital in advancing student success and providing exemplary service to all stakeholders. We foster an environment of success, both for our students and our employees. We have a relentless passion for celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as being an employer of choice. You will also have the opportunity to realize your own personal goals and be recognized for the work you do and enjoy the unique value the CSUN community can offer. As a leader you will have the opportunity to thrive in a community in which our leaders share common traits as identified in our Leadership Principles https://www.csun.edu/leadership-principles. If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place.

Responsibilities

The Associate Director of Benefits Administration and Workers' Compensation provides leadership and strategic oversight for the University's benefits, leave administration, workers' compensation, disability management, reasonable accommodation, retirement, wellness, and related employee support programs. The incumbent directs program administration, staff supervision, compliance initiatives, benefits technology, and operational processes to ensure efficient and effective service delivery. Serving as a key Human Resources leader, the position provides expert consultation to campus leadership, administrators, faculty, and staff on complex benefits, leave, accommodation, and risk management matters. The Associate Director develops and implements programs, communications, and educational initiatives that promote employee well-being, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and alignment with university goals and priorities.

Benefits Administration:

Responsible for the administration, preparation, distribution and communication of the core and voluntary health care plans and programs to the University community. This includes benefit information memorandums, benefit new hire packets, newsletters, benefit information, website content, correspondence on program updates, summary of benefits and the annual benefits open enrollment and wellness event. Design and present educational benefit overview during new hire orientation for staff and faculty. The incumbent coordinates the responsibilities of the Benefits staff in responding to and processing employee inquiries regarding insurance coverage, enrollment processing, eligibility criteria, open enrollment, family status changes, and other related questions and transactions. This includes auditing and monitoring of systems to reduce discrepancies, support compliance and maintain benefits data across multiple platforms. 

Other Benefit Programs and Voluntary Benefits:

Responsible for the administration, oversight, communication, and compliance of employer-sponsored and voluntary benefit programs. Provides operational oversight for life insurance, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA and Direct Pay continuation coverage, and other voluntary benefit offerings. Ensures accurate administration, effective communication, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, CSU policies, and vendor requirements.

Fee Waiver and Reduction Program:

Responsible for the administration, oversight, communication, and compliance of the CSU Fee Waiver and Reduction Program. Provides leadership and guidance regarding program eligibility, policy interpretation, enrollment, and application of collective bargaining agreement provisions. Collaborates with campus partners to ensure accurate and timely program administration while promoting employee awareness and utilization of educational benefits. Monitors program effectiveness, resolves complex issues, and ensures compliance with CSU policies and program requirements.

Benefits Technology and Security:

The incumbent partners with HRIS to ensure implementation, maintenance, and continuous advancement in the use of technology tools to support benefit functions with a focus on automation, retrieval of information, management operational needs, and reporting requirements. In addition, incumbent has oversight of the Security Gatekeeper roles and responsibilities for Human Resources.

Retirement:

Incumbent is responsible for counseling and educating faculty and staff on the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) service and disability retirement, service credit, and the faculty early retirement program (FERP) in coordination with Faculty Affairs. The incumbent also coordinates retirement and financial planning workshops. Provides education on the Part - Time Seasonal Plan, the Savings Plus Program and the CSU Supplemental Retirement plans.

Leaves of Absence and Accommodations: 

Directs the administration and ensures compliance of all staff leaves of absences and faculty medical leaves in coordination with Faculty Affairs, The Associate Director is responsible for overseeing the  Leave of Absence Specialist role in counseling, implementation and administration of employee leave options and programs. Requires adherence to laws, policy, contractual requirements, and mandated deadlines. Through knowledge and applicability of CSU leave programs such as Non-Industrial Insurance Program (NDI), Catastrophic Leave, Parental Leave program, leave credits, and Military Leave. Laws including CSU Family Medical Leave, California Family Rights Act, and Pregnancy Disability Leave, American with Disability Act (ADA), and others.

Employee Assistance Program and Wellness Programming:

Serves as the campus point of contact for the Employee Assistance Program and related wellness initiatives. Responsible for the administration, communication, promotion, and assessment of EAP services and wellness programming. Coordinates campus-wide wellness activities, educational resources, and awareness campaigns designed to enhance employee well-being, resilience, engagement, and productivity. Monitors program effectiveness and collaborates with internal and external partners to expand wellness opportunities and encourage utilization of available support services.

Workers' Compensation and Accommodations: 

Responsible for the oversight of the Workers' Compensation Specialist and administration of the University's Workers' Compensation program in coordination with the Third-Party Administrator, defense attorneys, the Chancellor's Office, and Risk Management. Provides strategic oversight of claims management from intake through resolution, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and reporting requirements. Advises management on workers' compensation matters, workplace injuries, transitional work assignments, and related disability management issues. Monitors occupational health services to promote quality care, timely communication, and positive outcomes for injured employees. Collaborates with campus stakeholders to support return-to-work efforts and workplace accommodations when appropriate. Develops and presents educational workshops and training programs on Workers' Compensation, injury reporting, disability management, and related employee support programs.

Interactive Process:

The Associate Director of Benefits serves as the campus subject matter expert and liaison for the interactive process and reasonable accommodation program, providing guidance and consultation to faculty, staff, and administrators. Ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and CSU policies governing reasonable accommodations and the interactive process. The incumbent partners with campus stakeholders to evaluate work restrictions, assess accommodation requests, and identify effective reasonable accommodations that enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their positions. Collaborates with the Senior Director of HR People and Strategy, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, and General Counsel on complex and sensitive accommodation matters, ensuring a consistent, compliant, and employee-centered approach to disability management and workplace accommodations.

Unemployment Insurance Program:

Responsible for administration and auditing unemployment claims. This requires responding and coordinating claims with our third-party administrator. Represents University at unemployment appeal hearings. Provides strategic oversight of claims management from intake through resolution, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and reporting requirements.

As a leader, demonstrates a commitment to student success that is mission-aligned with the university’s vision, values and priorities. Establishes an ethical and collegial work environment, promoting a collaborative, accountable and inclusive team. Encourages a courageous and resilient solution-oriented environment by participating in new opportunities to further the mission of the university. Participates in developing initiatives that further support the campus mission with a service-oriented and catalytic mind set. Strengthens employees by being communicative and a talent builder that develops team attributes, furthering departmental goals.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in a job-related field. 
• Equivalent to five years of progressively responsible professional/administrative experience; with two of the five years in a managerial role preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Leadership

• Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits administration, retirement programs, workers’ compensation, disability management, and applicable federal and California employment laws.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership, supervise professional staff, and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented work environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret complex policies, evaluate program effectiveness, resolve sensitive employee matters, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Ability to administer leave programs, coordinate reasonable accommodations, and facilitate interactive processes in accordance with ADA, FEHA, CSU policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Proficiency in benefits technology, HR information systems, data auditing, reporting, and process improvement to enhance operational efficiency and data integrity.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to advise university leadership, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and deliver effective employee education and wellness initiatives.
• Lead diverse teams to support the operational mission and vision of employers by fostering an ethical, inclusive and collegial work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to support ongoing improvement through courageous, resilient, and catalytic leadership.
• Lead varying initiatives through a collaborative, service-oriented and communicative approach.
• Demonstrated commitment to employee development, recognition, and accountability to further operational goals.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience. The University offers excellent fringe benefits.
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $ 120,000 - $130,000 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.
• The position is currently hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote); however, this is subject to change based on student and/or operational needs.

General Information

• This position is a sensitive position as designated by the CSU.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
• The person holding this position may be considered a 'limited reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
• Please note: California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
• Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
• Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN on-line application. To submit an application and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers
• Applications received through November 4, 2026, will be considered in the initial review and review of applications will continue until position is filled.
• The CSU recommends that faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities at any university location be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Disability (physical or mental), Gender, Gender Identity (including Nonbinary or Transgender), Gender Expression, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Pregnancy or related conditions, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion or Religious Creed, Sex (including Sex Stereotyping or Sex Characteristics), Sexual Orientation, and Veteran or Military Status. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Talent Acquisition at 818-677-2101.

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