"Human Resources Associate, Benefits"

Posted: 18-Jan-26

Location: Hamilton, New York

Categories: Administrative/Support, Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 6737

Accountabilities:

The Human Resources Associate for Benefits is primarily responsible for providing support in the area of benefits administration including leave administration.

Specific Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct new hire benefits orientations and follow up to ensure timely receipt of benefit enrollment forms and accurate payroll deductions. Update the online benefits system with enrollments and changes.
• Assist employees and retirees with questions and issues related to insurance plans and leave programs in accordance with HIPAA privacy regulations. Resolve enrollment issues as needed.
• Prepare pension and long-term disability (LTD) eligibility letters and ensure appropriate information is shared for timely payroll deductions.
• Provide support during the annual Benefits Open Enrollment period, including coordinating all aspects of mailings (ordering supplies, envelope preparation, printing requests, web uploads, etc.) and following up with HR staff and employees.
• Assist with processing Paid Family Leave (PFL) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requests, including submitting claims, processing correspondence, and tracking leave usage.
• Review monthly benefit plan enrollment reconciliations and coordinate resolution of discrepancies.
• Assist with processing Workers' Compensation claims, including filing claims, managing lost-time and benefit payment arrangements for payroll purposes, coordinating with the WC carrier on bill reviews, processing payments, reviewing and paying the NY Hospital surcharge, and tracking claims for reporting and analysis (e.g., OSHA logs and internal reviews).
• Assist with processing disability claims by coordinating timely filing, managing lost-time and benefit payment arrangements for payroll purposes, serving as a liaison between employees and carriers, ensuring follow-up medical documentation is obtained, and providing information regarding long-term disability claims.
• Prepare termination letters as provided by audit reports and submit updates in the online benefits system.
• Assist with processing Work-Related Tuition Benefits, Tuition-Free Courses, and CHEG including distributing forms, preparing approval letters, notifying payroll of classes scheduled during work hours, and tracking and processing reimbursements.
• Serve as primary backup for the HRA–Payroll area and Administrative Department Coordinator during peak times and in the absence of other staff members.
• Complete special projects and assignments as needed (e.g., brochures, mailings, and special events).
• Works as a member of a team and provides coverage and assistance as required.

Professional Experience/Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in an administrative or professional role.
• Ability to maintain accuracy while managing a high volume of assignments and frequent changes in priority.
• Strong organizational skills are required.
• Ability to take initiative and identify solutions to problems.
• Proficiency with MSOffice Word and Excel required.
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree of integrity and manage and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work with a sense of urgency to meet deadlines and address competing priorities.
• Must possess the ability to be flexible and multi-task in a busy team oriented environment.
• Ability to exchange information clearly and accurately through written and verbal channels.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively problem solve and make decisions using sound judgment.
• Demonstrated customer-oriented mindset.
• Must be capable of working collegially with a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, visitors and business associates on a daily basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior HR experience strongly preferred
• Familiarity with Google Docs/Sheets preferred
• Prior experience using an HRIS or ATS system preferred
• Familiarity with federal and state employment function laws, regulations and policies is helpful

Education:

Associate's degree or combination of education and experience from which comparable skills were attained is required.

Bachelor's degree is preferred.

EEO Statement:

The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of skills and experience, capacity to do the job, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

About Colgate University

Colgate University is a highly selective residential liberal arts institution distinguished by academic excellence and interdisciplinary inquiry. Located on a beautiful campus in upstate New York, Colgate takes pride in the active engagement of its students and faculty in local, national, and global communities.