"Benefits Specialist"

Job Details

Special Instructions to Applicants: Please attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

Important: We anticipate strong interest in this role and may close the posting early once a sufficient applicant pool is reached. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, the benefits specialist is responsible for the administration of assigned benefits programs and providing excellent customer service to benefit-eligible employees, students and their dependents. The benefits specialist provides information and responds to inquiries regarding benefit programs, such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plans, STD, LTD, etc. This position resolves and/or coordinates the resolution of routine issues and makes adjustments and corrections to HR systems as needed.

The ideal candidate for this position has some related experience in human resources, benefits, or a related analytical or customer-service oriented role, and is a proactive, organized problem solver who enjoys working in a collaborative team environment.

Workplace Requirements:

Hybrid position: “This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration after the probationary period. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.”

Annual Hiring Range: 49,000 to $52,896, with hiring salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
• 1 year of related experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
• Skills:
  • Proficiency in Excel
  • Knowledge of data systems and administration
  • Excellent communication skills both oral and written
  • Attention to detail and focus on accuracy
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality

Preferences:

• Spanish fluency

Essential Functions:

• Analyzes policies and program documents for necessary information to provide basic benefits and eligibility information to faculty, staff, and students
• Answers incoming calls and written requests for benefit information and transactions promptly and accurately
• Assists in the annual benefit enrollment process, health and benefit fairs
• Conducts new hire benefits orientation and annual enrollment meetings
• Provides regular reports and data reconciliations
• Aids in updating the HR / Benefits website
• Supports PTO reconciliation
• Publicizes benefit programs
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.