Benefits Specialist at American Public Education, Inc. (APEI)

United States

Benefits Specialist (Temporary) APEI This is a tempoary role covering a leave of absence for approximately 3 months  The primary responsibility of the Benefits Specialist is to support in the administration and billing reconciliation of company benefit plans.  This includes, but is not limited to: the maintenance, administration, billing and communication of employee medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA, 401k and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  The position will provide special guidance and assistance to all employees on various employee benefit plans for APEI and companies that APEI provides benefit and wellness support. The Benefits specialist works collaboratively with all HR staff members as needed.  Responsibilities:  * Assists employees with benefit related questions and issues and responds by e-mail, phone and personal meetings within 24 hours of the employee’s inquiry. * Enrolls and terminates employees in all company offered benefit plans accordingly. * Provides educational training to employees and managers regarding benefits programs. * Participates in the benefits presentation at new hire orientation. * Collaborates with all supported organization to provide benefits orientation and processes enrollment and termination of benefits. * Serves as a contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators from a billing and compliance perspectives. * Review and reconcile monthly billing invoices for accuracy, documents necessary adjustments and submits to manager for payment. * Investigates discrepancies and provides information in non-routine situations. * Communicates and documents changes in the benefits and payroll systems. * Prepares regular benefit reports by extracting data from human capital management (HCM) system. * Works effectively to ensure benefit plans run smoothly and are compliant. * Assists with claims and other issues between employees and various insurance carriers. * Ensures the human resources employee records contain updated benefits documentation * Evaluates and revises internal processes and captures these on SOP documents. * Maintains a current employee census and updates monthly for APEI and other supported organizations. * Prepares regular benefit reports by extracting data from human capital management (HCM) system. * Supports benefits open enrollment period by planning, running reports, completing vendor uploads, and handing employee communications. * Monitors federal, state, and local laws to maintain compliance in benefit and wellness practices. * Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements: * 3+ years benefits experience preferred. * 3+ years of experience using human resources systems (Ultipro, ADP) preferred. * Experience using Microsoft Excel preferred. * Bachelors degree required About Us: Online, on campus and in the workplace, we provide higher education and training to our country’s heroes – military service members, veterans, nurses, government employees, and motivated professionals that want to make a difference. American Public Education, Inc. educates service-minded students, ranging from the military, public service, federal agencies, and nursing communities, through American Public University System (APUS), Hondros College of Nursing (HCON), and Rasmussen University. It is the policy of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) to afford equal opportunity to all qualified persons.  We treat all qualified individuals equally as to their recruitment, hiring, assignments, advancements, compensation, and all other terms and conditions of employment. American Public Education, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, or sensory disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are a resident of a state with designated pay transparency requirements and this role is available remotely, you may be eligible to receive additional information about the compensation and benefits for this role, which we will provide upon request.  Please send an email to recruiting@apei.com [recruiting@apei.com].