APU seeks employees who desire to contribute to our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is edifying to God and one another.

The Benefits Manager position is responsible for administering all employee health and welfare benefit plans/programs, as well as employee leave and accommodation programs. Designs, implements, and administers health and welfare programs, policies, and procedures. Ensures that the plans/programs are consistent with University policies and all applicable federal and state laws. Manages daily health and welfare operations in the Office of Human Resources. Ensures that leave and accommodation policies and procedures comply with federal and state laws and serve employees efficiently. Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field, or bachelor’s in an unrelated field with appropriate relevant work experience.
• PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP, or other related HR certifications are desirable.

Required Experience:

• Seven to ten years of Human Resources experience, including substantial benefits and leave administration.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions

Benefits

• • Designs, implements, and administers university health and welfare programs (e.g., medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, EAP, wellness, 403(b) plan).
  • Ensures prompt, thorough, and courteous responses to employee benefit inquiries, including enrollment, terminations, claim issues, and life event changes. Delegates to the Benefits and Leaves Specialist as needed to ensure timely response to service needs.
  • Evaluates and recommends plan design changes to health and welfare plans to ensure university benefits are robust and competitive while managing costs within the university budget. In concert with the AVP of Human Resources and the Business Office, monitors health and welfare budgets to ensure actual costs are trending within budgeted/projected amounts.
  • Ensures compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees as it relates to health and welfare plans. Updates and maintains plan documents, summary plan descriptions, vendor agreements, and contracts and amendments related to plan administration.
  • Administers the employee wellness program, including budget, event planning, and participation. Collaborates with others in HR and external to HR on event logistics, timetables, communications, and other deliverables; coordinates on-site workshops and other wellness-related services.
  • Oversees the annual open enrollment process, including the coordination and distribution of materials, facilitation of presentations, and arrangements of on-site representation by providers; ensures changes are made to all benefit materials and that relevant deadlines are met.
  • Develops communication tools to enhance understanding of the University’s benefits package. Communicates important benefit plan information using appropriate media, such as newsletters, email, memos, and flyers.
  • Coordinates transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums, and plan administration; resolves conflicts with providers for the purpose of verifying eligibility, conveying information, and processing claims.
  • Manages the 403(b) plan discrimination testing and annual audit, working closely with the Business Office and the AVP of Human Resources.
  • Provides reporting as needed to various internal stakeholders, including faculty/staff tuition discount eligibility information, HSA and FSA contributions, and other payroll- and benefit-related needs.
  • Works with the third-party provider to administer COBRA process for employees no longer eligible for benefits.
  • Audits data transmission between systems on a regular basis, resolving discrepancies as needed.

Leaves and Accommodations

• • Manages all leaves of absence (LOA) and short-term disability (STD) filings, as well as the ADA interactive process for employees seeking an accommodation, delegating to the Benefits and Leaves Specialist as appropriate.
  • Interprets and clarifies LOA policies to address inquiries from employees, managers, and HR staff.
  • Analyzes STD/FMLA claims to determine eligibility and provide certification in compliance with state and federal regulations.
  • Responsible for disability case management, working closely with the Benefits and Leaves Specialist.
  • Ensures that leave of absence and accommodation policy questions received by phone or email receive timely and accurate responses.
  • Ensures that LOA status and coordination of pay through HRIS and APU’s electronic timekeeping system is done in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Works with the Office of General Counsel, HR Business Partners, and the Associate Vice President of Human Resources as needed on complex leave and accommodation matters.
  • Identifies potential risks to the university and escalates as necessary.
  • Provides training to departments upon request in the areas of LOA, Workers’ Compensation injury reporting, and ADA accommodations.

Workers' Compensation

• • In conjunction with the Benefits and Leaves Specialist, manages all aspects of Workers’ Compensation (WC) claims, from initial report of injury through investigation and coordination of benefits. Fulfills all documentation requirements to ensure effective claims management.  Works with injured employees and claims adjusters to ensure quality treatment and effective return to work.
  • Provides oversight for the third-party administrator with regard to WC and disability claims.
  • Works closely with the Risk Manager in regularly assessing trends and communicating injury details.
  • Oversees OSHA-related reports and logs, ensuring that processes are being appropriately followed.

Other Human Resources Duties

• • Basic knowledge of other HR functions.
  • Performs other duties as required.
  • Responds to internal and external surveys related to benefits and occupational injuries.
  • Serves on university-wide committees as assigned.

Skills:

• Ability to demonstrate a high sense of confidentiality, professionalism, and sense of urgency.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team, as well as an individual contributor.
• Self-starter with a positive attitude.

Mental Demands:

• Ability to work under pressure, exuding a mature demeanor while multi-tasking in a deadline-oriented environment with accuracy and consistency.
• In agreement with the purpose and goals of Azusa Pacific University in providing a Christian-based higher education for its students.

Physical Demands:

• Requires repetitive motions and sitting at computer keyboard.
• Hearing and speaking on the telephone.
• Ability to conduct business at other offices on campus.
• Ability to lift, bend, grasp, reach, lift up to 20 lbs. occasionally.

Visual Demands:

• Reading, writing notes, and using a computer monitor.

Environment:

• Pleasant office setting, comfortable temperature.

Technologies:

• Proficient in Google Apps., Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel.
• PeopleSoft, ADP, and/or other HRIS experience is desirable.

Compensation:

• Grade 16: $85,197 to $97,977 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about 'what we believe', our 'mission statement', and our 'statement of faith'.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty, staff, and alumni as they carry out our mission here: http://www.apu.edu/stories/

Azusa Pacific University will conduct a background check on all final candidates.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled unless otherwise stated. Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.