id='p14910_'>Benefits Specialist II - Center for Education Services JobID: 14910
Position Type:
Secretarial/Clerical/Employee Benefits Specialist II
Date Posted:
7/23/2026
Location:
Center for Education Services
Closing Date:
07/30/2026
Additional Information: Show/Hide
Job Description: Benefits Specialist II
Position Overview
Minimum Requirements:
Education: Must hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Experience: Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources, employee benefits administration, retirement administration, or a related field.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Working knowledge of employee benefit programs, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA, Medicare, and retirement benefits.
Knowledge of federal and state laws governing employee benefits, including COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, Medicare, and applicable retirement regulations.
Experience administering leave programs, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other leave-of-absence programs.
Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to interpret policies, procedures, contracts, and benefit plan documents.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, Adobe Acrobat, and Google Workspace.
Ability to learn and effectively utilize Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), benefits administration systems, and payroll software.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
Must obtain designation as a Maryland Notary Public within three (3) months in this position.
Must obtain and maintain certification as a Maryland State Retirement Agency (SRA) Retirement Coordinator within three (3) months in this position, including all required continuing education.
Attendance: Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.
Accommodations: Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Preferred Qualifications:
Role Responsibilities:
Employee Benefits Administration
Administer employee and retiree benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, and voluntary benefits.
Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, status changes, terminations, retirements, and reinstatements.
Coordinate and administer COBRA notifications, enrollments, and premium processing.
Administer Medicare and Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) enrollments, account maintenance, and communications.
Process life insurance and long-term disability claims.
Coordinate death benefit claims and survivor benefit processing.
Maintain accurate employee benefit records and ensure timely processing of all benefit transactions.
Reconcile and process active and retiree insurance premium billing.
Prepare, review, submit, and reconcile electronic insurance eligibility files (834 files), resolving discrepancies with carriers and vendors.
Retirement Administration
Serve as the Maryland State Retirement Agency (SRA) Retirement Coordinator.
Educate employees regarding retirement eligibility, benefits, and available retirement options.
Conduct retirement seminars, workshops, and individual retirement counseling sessions.
Process retirement applications and required documentation.
Coordinate new employee retirement enrollments and ongoing retirement system updates.
Process service purchase requests, leave of absence reporting employment changes, and retirement adjustments.
Complete biweekly retirement payroll reconciliations and resolve reporting discrepancies.
Process monthly pension insurance deduction files and reconciliations.
Complete monthly sick leave certification and annual earnings limitation reporting.
Maintain compliance with all Maryland State Retirement Agency requirements and procedures.
Workers' Compensation Administration
Administer the Workers' Compensation program, including coordinating employee claims, maintaining required documentation, monitoring claim status, and communicating with employees, supervisors, medical providers, third-party administrators, and the workers' compensation insurance carrier.
Maintain accurate and confidential workers' compensation records in accordance with applicable federal, state, and Board of Education requirements.
Monitor employee work status, leave usage, return-to-work documentation, light-duty assignments, and reconciliation of related payroll and benefit adjustments, as applicable.
Leave Administration
Administer Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), military leave, and other leave-of absence programs.
Review medical certifications and supporting documentation for completeness and compliance.
Communicate with employees, supervisors, healthcare providers, and third-party administrators regarding leave requests.
Monitor leave usage and maintain accurate records.
Compliance and Reporting
Assist with Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements.
Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing employee benefits.
Prepare reports, correspondence, and documentation related to benefit administrations.
Maintain confidential employee records in accordance with applicable privacy laws and Board policies.
Draft correspondence regarding benefits, retirement, and leave matters.
Assist with new employee onboarding and benefit orientations.
Assist in planning and conducting employee wellness activities, benefit fairs, and retirement education programs.
Maintain strict confidentiality of employee information and Human Resources records.
Professionalism: Demonstrate a courteous and professional demeanor to all employees, retirees, insurance carriers, retirement agencies, third-party administrators, and other external partners.
Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned.
Environmental Factors & Physical/Mental Requirements: (customize depending on position)
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions listed below.
Mobility: Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Ability to sit for extended periods while operating a computer and other office equipment. Ability to move throughout the office and building as needed.
Communication: Ability to communicate effectively using sight, hearing, speech, and reading.
Stress Management: Ability to maintain emotional composure and professionalism while managing multiple priorities and interruptions.
Physical Demands:
Ability to lift, carry, move, and transport materials weighing up to 20 lbs. on a regular basis.
Must be able to bend, crouch, stoop, reach, walk stairs, and climb as necessary.
Must be able to safely operate powered equipment.
Working Conditions: May be exposed to frequent interruptions, moderate noise levels, and a fast-paced office environment.