Benefits and Leave Specialist Position Available In Carroll, Georgia

Benefits and Leave Specialist University of West Georgia 1601 Maple St, Carrollton, GA 30118 About Us Since 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG) has been home to those who seek a transformative college experience. UWG is a leading residential, doctoral comprehensive university that offers a broad undergraduate and graduate curriculum based on a liberal arts foundation. Nestled among the pines on a picturesque 645 acres is the University of West Georgia- a hidden gem approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta. Serving approximately 14,400+ students, and offering more than 100 programs, UWG is committed to advancing innovative academic programs and a student-centered business model. Perennially ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction as a top national university, West Georgia offers 86 fields of study, including business, computing, nursing, education, STEM, communication and digital media, social sciences, and the fine and performing arts. UWG generates a regional economic impact of more than $650 million annually and provides a safe, quality, and affordable university experience that connects students to post-graduate career and leadership opportunities. UWG has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its institutional commitment to community engagement through teaching, research and creative activities, and public service. West Georgia is one of only 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the elective classification in 2020 and is among only 359 institutions nationally. Dedicated to creating a first-choice university for students, alumni, employees, and communities, UWG seeks employees who will advance and support the University’s mission of fulfilling the talent needs of western Georgia and the Atlanta metropolitan area, while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the region and state. Living in Carrollton, “The City of Dreams,” offers the advantages of city life with a small-town vibe. This progressive community with Southern flair offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, nightlife opportunities, and cultural events. Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, health care, and commercial center for the west Georgia region. At the heart of Carrollton is its historic downtown and Adamson Square lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Each season offers unique local events and opportunities for year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound through award-winning spaces, including an 18-mile paved walking and biking Greenbelt trail that encircles the city and passes through the UWG campus. The city embraces the University’s students, faculty, and staff, and welcomes the diversity UWG brings to the community. Invested in education with highly rated city and county K-12 systems, both city and county public school graduation rates are 90% and above and rank among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Job Summary This position is responsible for assisting with the administration of all employee benefits and leave programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability, 403(b) plan, and other voluntary benefit programs. Serve as the primary liaison for leave administration, including Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Parental Leave, Military leave, personal leave, and other employee leave programs and serve as the TAP Administrator. UWG is enhancing the human resources service delivery model with an emphasis on quality and highly responsive human resources service delivery to managers and employees. This position provides benefits consultation activities for faculty and staff, and partner with designated leaders in academic and business units. This role will provide coordination and resources for benefits-related activities, including benefits consulting, leave administration, and tuition TAP program. Responsibilities 1-

Leave Administration:

Responds to benefits and leave inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollment, leave status changes, and other general inquiries. Provides benefits counseling to active employees and ensures accuracy for all employee benefits enrollment and eligibility in partnership with the University System of Georgia (USG) benefits vendors. 2-

FMLA, Parental Leave, Military Leave Administration:

Prepare, track, and manage employee leave records. Handle intake of leave requests, send required notices, forms, and letters, and determine employee eligibility. Coordinate with HR Business Partners to evaluate the need for potential leave accommodations. Will also partner with the Payroll Department to ensure employees are paid accurately while on leave of absence and maintain compliance with leave of absence and employment laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Parental Leave, and the PFWA. 3-

Leave Administration:

Serves as a primary resource in partnership with the HR Service team regarding TAP and leave administration. Maintain and promote consultation of the UWG Shared Sick Leave Pool. 4-

Open Enrollment Activities:

Partner and facilitate employee open enrollment activities and events, as needed. Distributes benefits and leave enrollment materials and advises regarding eligibility. Assist with benefits overview for New Employee Orientation, as needed. Required Qualifications Educational Requirements High School Diploma/ GED Required Experience Two or more years of demonstrated experience in human resources in the leave and benefits focus areas; experience working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with quickly shifting priorities. Demonstrated experience with human resource principles and practices including benefits consultation and leave administration. Knowledge of state and federal employment laws and regulations. Demonstrated excellence in communication and strong listening skills. Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Strong customer service orientation and sense of integrity. Capacity to deal with a wide range of relationships and situations; comfort with ambiguity. Ability to maintain discretion and the highest ethical and professional standards while dealing with confidential information. Preferred Qualifications Preferred Educational Qualifications Bachelor,s Degree Preferred Experience Prefer an Associates or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Broad experience in human resources management to include benefits and leave administration. Higher education experience. Proficiency or experience working with Peoplesoft HCM system(s) PHR, SPHR or GPHR certification with human resources experience in higher education setting preferred. Proposed Salary $45,056- $54,000 Annually. Paid on a Monthly Basis. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

Ability to partner and collaborate with managers and campus partners in the area of benefits. Proficient with or the ability to quickly learn human capital management software or other required systems. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of benefits and leave activities as well as familiarity with laws, regulations, and best practices applicable to benefits and leave administration. SKILLS Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to negotiate. Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines. Physical Requirements- Lifting ¿ up to 15lbs Office Environment – Work normally performed in a typical interior work environment. USG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653. Conditions of Employment Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of West Georgia is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity, and affirmative action institution. It is the policy of the University of West Georgia to recruit, hire, train, promote, and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, ADEA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50) Other Information The mission of the University of West Georgia is to enable students, faculty, and staff to realize their full potential through academic engagement, supportive services, professional development, and a caring, student-centered community. The institutional mission and daily operation of the University of West Georgia are guided by our values that support our vision to be the best place to work, learn, and succeed: ACHIEVEMENT, CARING, COLLABORATION, INCLUSIVENESS, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, SUSTAINABILITY, and WISDOM.