Benefits and Human Resources Specialist

As a Benefits and Human Resources Specialist at Grand Rapids Community College, this position plays a crucial role in managing and administering employee benefits programs. Primary responsibilities will include collaboratively maintaining compliance with laws, regulations, plan documents, policies, procedures and employee contracts. This position provides support to employees in processing benefit elections and changes, as well as supporting the benefits department in data requests for surveys, collective bargaining and benchmarking. This position will serve as a backup for the Employee Leave Specialist and assist with other HR projects.

Position Number: 00001436
Requisition Number: 1143
Department: Human Resources
Employee Group:Professional, Management, and Administration (PMA)
Schedule: 40 hours/52 weeks
Compensation: OP3; $51,425 annually
Benefits:Full Time
Reports to: Benefits Manager
Posting Opens: 7/1/2026
Posting Closes: 7/14/2026

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Benefits Administration:

• Provide excellent customer service to all employee groups in supplying information and resources related to employee benefits and eligibility
• Present benefits information to new employees during their onboarding session with Human Resources
• Maintain current benefits for full and part time staff; this includes health insurance or health insurance waivers and documentation, life insurance, disability insurances, supplemental benefits, dental and vision reimbursement program
• Maintain Flex Spending Account and Health Savings Account data in PeopleSoft for all eligible employees
• Reconcile, balance and maintain spreadsheets for carrier payments
• Serve as a liaison with employees, health carriers, and our broker to assist with unique or complicated requests
• Collaborate with the Benefits Manager to complete the plan build, testing and successful launch of open enrollment and ongoing maintenance of eligibility within a GRCC’s HRIS/online enrollment platform

Tuition Waiver Responsibilities:

• Become familiar with employee contracts to accurately determine tuition waiver eligibility, including differences in benefit structures across employee groups.
• Review and verify dependent documentation.
• Track any taxable tuition for dependents over age 24 who are not considered IRS dependents, and coordinate with Payroll to process the applicable taxable benefit.
• Communicate with employees regarding the approval or denial of tuition waiver requests.
• Collaborate with Student Financial Services to ensure approved waivers are accurately applied to student accounts.

Compliance & Documentation:

• Conduct a complete Dependent Audit on all covered employees with dependent(s) on health, dental and vision coverage
• Partner with benefits consultants, brokers, third party administrators and other providers. Support contract negotiations and open enrollment activities.
• Responsible for maintaining all correspondence associated with Federal COBRA laws
• Maintain Life Insurance beneficiary designations forms. This includes offering conversion life insurance letters for terminated employees and running yearly census reports for the insurance carrier.
• Assist with Employee leaves, workers' compensation and LTD claims. This may include working with employees, health centers, supervisors and the work comp carrier in the absence of the Employee Leave Specialist.
• Work with vendors for employment verification; conduct audits of HRIS, payroll, and benefits data. Ensure regulatory compliance and reporting
• Maintain compliance with labor law poster across campus in all buildings

Data Maintenance & Technology:

• Maintain employee benefit files, including confidential health information subject to HIPAA compliance
• Complete report requests for benefits data from PeopleSoft, including census file data used for contract negotiations
• Create regular communications to employees on the value-add programs and other benefit information to promote employee health and wellness initiatives

Other Job Functions:

• Organize, plan and coordinate vendors for the benefits fair and/or vaccine clinic annually
• Collaborate with the Benefits Manager to plan and facilitate the Benefits 101 training session
• Provide back up support to the Benefits Manager for data requests, collecting information from our third party benefits administrator for data requests, collective bargaining, survey completion
• Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required. Being present is essential for serving customers and performing the essential functions of this position.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

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  JOB SPECIFICATIONS

  Education Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or closely related field required

• Work Experience

• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience working within benefits administration or a similarly complex compliance role required
• Experience with human resources, employee benefit administration software and data management systems required
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation preferred

• Skills

• Customer Service: Skilled in effective communication and problem-solving to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous in reviewing information for accuracy and spotting errors to maintain precision in tasks
• Organizational Skills: Efficient in prioritizing tasks, managing time, and coordinating resources for optimal productivity
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in utilizing relevant software/tools, troubleshooting technical issues, and adapting to new technologies

• Physical Demands

• This position requires long periods of sitting, reading and writing, listening and computer work

• Mental Demands

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Must be able to maintain confidentiality in carrying out all duties, including maintaining confidential record tracking system.
• Understanding of local, state and federal laws, regulations and standards pertaining to public sector labor relations.
• Knowledge of human resources policies, procedures and management practices, involving recruitment, employment, terminations and contract administration.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure while possessing mature judgment and flexibility in regards to interruptions and schedule changes.
• Understand and appreciate our community college philosophy and diverse populations.
• Must use good judgment in handling sensitive or difficult situations in a professional manner.
• Must maintain high levels of confidentiality with appropriate discretion.

• Working Conditions

• GRCC will comply with any mandated health and safety requirements. Compliance information is available on our policies website.
• Must be able to work flexible hours (i.e. evenings and night) including occasional weekends.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment that calls for flexibility/adaptability and the ability to handle multiple interruptions and make quick decisions

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  BENEFITS

• Health Coverage: Six health insurance plan options, including one with no health insurance premiums.
• Time off: Enjoy substantial vacation time.
• Wellness Program: Access resources for physical and mental wellbeing, and an onsite gym membership.
• Continuous Learning: Career development and educational opportunities.
• Retirement Plans: Secure your future with our retirement options including a state retirement plan.
• Ethical Conduct: Committed to upholding high ethical standards, adhering to policies, maintaining confidentiality, and making ethical decisions

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  NEXT STEPS / APPLICATION PROCESS

• Please complete an application: https://www.grcc.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/careers. Submit a cover letter and resume.
• The opportunity to apply for this position will close at the end of the day on the close date referenced at the top of this job posting.
• Grand Rapids Community College is an equal opportunity employer. Visa sponsorship is not available.

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  NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

  Grand Rapids Community College creates an inclusive learning and working environment that recognizes the value and dignity of each person. It is the policy and practice of GRCC to provide equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of age, race, color, religion, marital status, sex/gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, height, weight, national origin, disability, political affiliation, familial status, veteran status or genetics in all programs, activities, services, employment and advancement including admissions to, access to, treatment in, or compensation in employment as required by state and federal law. GRCC is committed to reviewing all aspects of GRCC programs, activities, services and employment, including recruitment, selection, retention and promotion to identify and eliminate barriers in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of the listed protected characteristics. The college will not tolerate any form of retaliation against any person for bringing charges of discrimination or participating in an investigation. Further information may be obtained from the EEO Office or the Office of General Counsel, 143 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295.