Human Resources Coordinator, Benefits

Required: Bachelor degree in a related field with three (3) years of professional experience directly related to the standard duties as outlined, including experience with employee benefits administration, FMLA, workers’ compensation, and other Human Resources functions. Experience successfully navigating NEOGOV Onboard or similar Human Resources onboarding, HRIS, or employee management platforms is required.

Equivalency: Associate degree in a related field with five (5) years of professional experience directly related to the standard duties as outlined, OR a high school diploma or GED with seven (7) years of professional experience directly related to the standard duties as outlined. Any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience may be considered as approved by the Human Resources Department.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Grade: Six (6)

Salary: $54,007 - $63,459 DOE

Background

Located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is a newly independent public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. A proud Hispanic Serving Institution, it awards certificates and associate degrees that serve the needs of its region and prepare students to transfer to programs at other colleges or universities. SENMC offers Early College and Dual Credit programs in collaboration with local high schools.

Southeast New Mexico College enjoys the strong support of its community, and has been awarded several grants, which include $11.7 million from the U.S. Department of Energy and several multimillion-dollar grants from the U.S. Department of Education for student support.

The college’s diverse employee pool includes 38 full-time faculty, 48 adjunct faculty, and 112 staff members. SENMC offers a generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, and college tuition reimbursement. More information on SENMC can be obtained from its website at https://senmc.edu.

Purpose and Scope

Under general supervision of the Human Resources Manager, the Human Resources Coordinator, Benefits provides specialized support in the administration and coordination of the College’s employee benefits and related Human Resources operations. As SENMC continues to grow and evolve, this position plays an important role in providing employees with responsive, accurate, and timely support throughout their employment experience.

The Coordinator administers applicable employee benefit programs, including benefits offered through the State of New Mexico, retirement programs, and other College-sponsored benefits, and coordinates FMLA, workers’ compensation, annual open enrollment, and other benefits-related processes. The position also supports employee onboarding and system processes through NEOGOV Onboard and Anthology, maintains accurate benefits and leave records, coordinates required information with Payroll, and assists with new hire orientation as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates and administers employee benefit programs offered through the State of New Mexico and other applicable benefit providers, including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance, and other health and welfare benefits; serves as a primary resource to employees regarding eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, coverage changes, waivers, beneficiary designations, and related benefit matters.
• Coordinates retirement-related processes and provides employee assistance regarding the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board (ERB), New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority (NMRHCA), and supplemental retirement programs, including 403(b) and 457(b) plans.
• Coordinates the College’s annual open enrollment process, including employee communications and education, enrollment assistance, required documentation, deadlines, system updates, and coordination with benefit administrators, carriers, and other benefit partners.
• Coordinates and tracks FMLA and other applicable leave processes, including required notices and documentation, eligibility and certification requirements, deadlines, employee communications, return-to-work requirements, and timely follow-up on active cases.
• Coordinates workers’ compensation processes, including timely reporting, documentation, communication, tracking, and coordination with employees, supervisors, carriers, and other appropriate parties.
• Serves as a primary Human Resources administrator for NEOGOV Onboard or similar onboarding platforms, including maintaining assigned processes and checklists, monitoring completion of required tasks and documentation, troubleshooting issues, and following up on incomplete or outstanding requirements.
• Coordinates the benefits-related components of employee onboarding, including benefit elections, waivers, beneficiary designations, retirement information, and other required documentation.
• Creates and maintains employee SIS IDs in Anthology Student as part of the new hire process, ensuring information is entered accurately and timely to support the establishment of employee records in Anthology Human Resources and Payroll.
• Coordinates with Payroll and other appropriate departments to ensure required new hire and onboarding forms, employee information, benefit elections, retirement information, and other applicable documentation are complete, accurate, and provided timely to support employee setup and payroll processing.
• Monitors assigned onboarding processes from initial employee setup through completion, including NEOGOV Onboard, SIS ID creation, benefits documentation, and required Payroll handoffs, and promptly addresses missing, incomplete, or inconsistent information.
• Works collaboratively with the HR Assistant and other Human Resources staff throughout the onboarding process and assists with new hire orientation as needed, including providing information regarding benefits, retirement, enrollment requirements, and leave programs.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and confidential employee benefits, beneficiary, retirement, leave, workers’ compensation, waiver, and other assigned Human Resources records and conducts routine reviews to identify and resolve missing documentation or discrepancies.
• Coordinates with Payroll regarding benefit deductions, retirement contributions, enrollment changes, and other applicable transactions and assists with benefit reconciliations, audits, reporting, and resolution of discrepancies.
• Assists employees and beneficiaries with life insurance claims and required documentation, as appropriate.
• Provides timely and professional communication and follow-up with employees, supervisors, benefit administrators, vendors, and other stakeholders; guides employees and supervisors through applicable processes and escalates complex or sensitive matters to the Human Resources Manager as appropriate.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, benefit requirements, and federal and state laws and regulations affecting assigned responsibilities and maintains appropriate confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Participates in benefits-related orientations, informational sessions, special projects, workshops, cross-training, and departmental initiatives and performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of employee benefits administration, including State of New Mexico health and welfare benefit programs, medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance, and related employee benefits.
• Knowledge of retirement programs and processes, including the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board (ERB), New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority (NMRHCA), and supplemental retirement programs such as 403(b) and 457(b) plans.
• Working knowledge of FMLA, workers’ compensation, and applicable federal and state laws and regulations related to employee benefits and leave administration.
• Knowledge of benefits eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, beneficiary designations, claims, open enrollment, and related documentation requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience successfully navigating and utilizing NEOGOV Onboard or similar Human Resources onboarding platforms, including managing onboarding processes, monitoring completion of assigned tasks and documentation, and assisting employees with system-related processes.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully navigate Human Resources and institutional information systems, including NEOGOV Onboard, Anthology Student, and related HR/Payroll systems, or similar platforms, with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of Human Resources principles, procedures, practices, confidentiality requirements, and records management.
• Demonstrated ability to independently organize and prioritize assigned responsibilities; monitor multiple deadlines and ongoing cases; maintain accurate and complete documentation; identify outstanding or incomplete items; and consistently follow through to timely resolution.
• Strong attention to detail with demonstrated ability to review Human Resources and benefits documentation for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with established requirements.
• Ability to interpret and clearly communicate complex benefit, retirement, leave, enrollment, and onboarding information to employees.
• Strong interpersonal, customer service, organizational, and written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with employees, supervisors, Payroll, benefit administrators, insurance carriers, retirement agencies, and other internal and external partners.
• Records maintenance and database entry skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to identify discrepancies, research issues, and coordinate appropriate resolution.
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations regarding employee benefits and other pertinent Human Resources topics.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment within assigned responsibilities and appropriately escalate matters requiring higher-level review.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive employee, medical, benefits, leave, and other Human Resources information.

Work Environment and Physical Demand

• Constantly works in an indoor environment
• Constantly required to exchange accurate information
• Constantly operates a computer and other office machinery
• Constantly observes details at close range
• Frequently remains in a stationary position
• Occasionally moves about inside an office
• Occasionally moves office equipment weighing up to 25 pounds

Performing the essential functions of this position requires the use of a computer throughout most of the workday, the ability to navigate a typical office environment, significant amounts of interpersonal interaction including oral and written communication, and the ability to keep track of multiple tasks, projects, deadlines, information sources and business processes. This job description is intended to be generic in nature and describe the essential functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities, and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

SENMC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.