Penn State Job Catalog

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Employee Benefits

The Benefits Assistant supports the administration, coordination, and communication of the university's employee benefits programs; ensures timely and accurate processing of benefit transactions; provides support to employees; assists with compliance, documentation, and vendor communication.

• Assist in the administration of employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement plans
• Respond to general employee inquiries regarding benefit eligibility, coverage options, and enrollment periods
• Assist with processing benefit enrollments, qualifying life event changes, terminations, and corrections within the HRIS
• Support annual open enrollment activities
• Help maintain accurate documentation for benefits compliance (i.e., HIPAA, ACA, COBRA notices)
• Perform data entry, record maintenance, document filing, and other general administrative tasks to support day-to-day HR operations
• Schedule meetings, coordinate logistics, and support the Benefits team with ongoing projects and tasks
• Prepare standard reports related to benefits participation, eligibility, and compliance
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information in accordance with university policies and legal requirements

Level:

– Intermediate Support

Base Description:

– Completes administrative activities and tasks of a technical or functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– May provide basic direction to lower level support staff

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Handles routine financial transactions
– May validate and pay invoices

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of institutional policies and procedures in determining course of action

Independence of Action:

– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials that may be intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 5
• Minimum – $38,300.00
• MidPoint – $46,900.00
• Maximum – $55,500.00

• Accounting Payroll Activities
• Attention To Detail
• Collaboration
• Confidentiality
• Customer Service
• Data entry
• Employee Benefits
• Event Coordination
• HRIS
• Records management
• Regulatory compliance

• General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• High School (HS)