Benefits Specialist

Primary Purpose of Position

UNC Charlotte administers a large and complex portfolio of State, UNC System, and University benefit programs serving more than 3,750 full‑time employees, as well as temporary and student workers. The HR Specialist supports core benefits accounting functions, including reconciliations, error report resolution, payroll file load review, and ACA administration. The position also provides general benefits counseling, maintains procedure documentation, supports process improvements, and contributes to overall team operations. The role interacts with employees at all levels and handles sensitive and confidential information in accordance with University and regulatory requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Benefits Accounting & Data Integrity (60%)

• Performs benefits accounting, including reconciliations, discrepancy resolution, and updating reconciliation reports.
• Processes arrears, refunds, and manual adjustments; identifies billing issues and coordinates follow‑up for terminated employees.
• Reviews semi‑monthly vendor payroll files, enters adjustments, and resolves data‑integration issues.
• Resolves demographic and data‑integration errors from vendor and payroll files.
• Supports research, troubleshooting, and projects with the Benefits Deduction Analyst and Benefits Director.

ACA Administration (30%)

• Determines eligibility, issues health insurance coverage offers, and counsels employees and departments.
• Reviews measurement‑period data and completes required actions (offers, terminations, entries, data loads).
• Pulls monthly ACA data for IT processing; monitors reports and resolves issues through quality checks and error reports.
• Processes monthly and year‑end ACA corrections, TIN error actions, and supports audit or penalty responses.
• Manage and ensure compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
• Maintain and audit employee eligibility records.
• Responds to employee inquiries regarding ACA requirements and eligibility.

Benefits Counseling & Team Support (10%)

• Provides general benefits counseling and responds to employee inquiries.
• Offers backup counseling and administrative support as needed.
• Documents, routes, and follows up on HR Connect cases to ensure timely, accurate service.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Experience / Education

Required Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from a four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education Skills and Experience

• Experience working with benefits administration or ACA compliance and reporting.
• Experience with benefits accounting (reconciliations, billing, and payroll file loads).
• Knowledge of ACA eligibility and reporting, including measurement periods, corrections, and audit support.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using HR or benefits systems for case management and data accuracy.
• Strong communication and customer‑service skills to explain HR processes and benefits clearly to employees.