Specialist, Total Rewards (Human Resources Benefits)

Job Posting Closing Times: Job postings are removed from advertising at 12:00 A.M. on the closing date e.g., at midnight on the day before the closing date.

If you are a current Austin Community College employee, please click this link to apply through your Workday account.

Austin Community College is a public two-year institution that serves a multicultural population of approximately 41,000 credit students each Fall and Spring semester.  We embrace our identity as a community college, as reflected in our mission statement.  We promote student success and community development by providing affordable access, through traditional and distance learning modes, to higher education and workforce training, including appropriate applied baccalaureate degrees, in our service area.

As a community college committed to our mission, we seek to recruit and retain a workforce that:

• Values intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching

• Is attracted by the college's mission to promote equitable access to educational opportunities

• Cares about student success and collaborates on strategies to facilitate success for populations including; first generation college students, low-income students, and students from underserved communities.

• Focused on student academic achievement and postgraduate outcomes

• Welcomes difference and models respectful interaction with others

• Engages with the community both within and outside of ACC

Job Posting Title:

Specialist, Total Rewards (Human Resources Benefits)

Job Description Summary:

The Total Rewards Specialist plays a key role in administering benefits programs for employees at Austin Community College. This position is responsible for ensuring accurate eligibility determinations, onboarding support, and effective communication of benefits options and changes.

Job Description:

Description of Duties and Tasks

• Assist with determining program eligibility for all employees (staff, faculty, and variable hour) and coordinate employee notifications.

• Coordinate with the Shared Services team to deliver benefits onboarding, orientation, and new hire support.

•  Educate, assist, and counsel employees on insurance options, plan changes, and benefits inquiries while emphasizing positive customer service.

• Enter and update insurance program changes in the Employees Retirement System (ERS) for new hires and qualifying life event (QLE) changes.

• Coordinate benefits-related aspects of the separation process for benefits-eligible employees, including employee notifications, external vendor coordination (ERS, Aflac), and sick leave donations.

• Process National Medical Support Notices (NMSN) with ERS, plan administrators, benefits, and payroll teams as needed.

• Report employee deaths to ERS and TRS to initiate benefits coordination.

• Complete Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer certifications using reporting systems and Excel.

• Track new hire benefits onboarding, separations, and status changes using spreadsheets, ensuring completion of the necessary tasks.

• Expedite resolution of benefits eligibility, enrollment, and coverage issues, acting as a liaison between employees and external stakeholders.

• Assist in creating and editing written materials related to total rewards communications, including newsletters, website content, brochures, presentations, and forms.

• Provide training and guidance to total rewards hourly employees supporting departmental processes.

• Aids with the planning and execution of special events such as ERS Annual Enrollment.

• Perform other complex office duties as needed to support the Total Rewards team.

Knowledge

• Familiarity with Total Rewards programs and payroll processes.

• State of Texas Benefit Plan Programs and options available to employees.

• Defined benefit and contribution plans as well as group insurance.

• Customer service techniques and practices.

• General human resources practices and principles.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and consultative style.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, follow-through, and the ability to prioritize tasks.

• Ability to effectively present