Job Information
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Benefits Specialist I in Austin, Texas
Ensure compliance to state reporting requirements by providing comprehensive workers compensation consulting services including providing information on state laws and interpreting policies, procedures, and practices.Assessing injured employee needs related to WCI issues including coaching on available treatment options and the coverage thereof, referral to approved WCI providers, explaining disability income benefits, as applicable and serving as a liaison with the UT System Office of Risk Management, lawyers and medical personnel.Ensure compliance with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the state Sick Leave Pool program by interpreting and applying statues and policies, reviewing applications, completing required documentation, and preparing all relevant correspondence to employees and department managers or their designee. Make effective decisions for complex and sensitive leave related issues and offer creative and alternative leave solutions, as applicable, with diplomacy under tight deadlines.Responsible for the administration of the campus Return to Work program by promoting appropriate return-to-work strategies to department managers and their delegates and incorporating case management methodologies with the employee. Partner with the employee, HR contacts and department managers to prepare all relevant correspondence including but not limited to bonafide job offer for modified duty letters, supplemental reports of injury, and FMLA notices, as appropriate.Responsible for the administration of health and welfare benefits, retirement plans and the Staff educational Benefit. Serve as a liaison with the UT System Office of Employee Benefits, insurance companies, retirement providers, benefits related vendors and the Provost Office involving faculty issues and Payroll Services. Advise employees and eligible fellows on eligibility, coverage and other benefit matters including benefit distribution and post-employment coverage such as COBRA.Contribute to projects, such as an open enrollment, benefit fairs, communications plans and website enhancements. Participate in campus and system-wide committees that improve benefits, leave and workers compensation business processes. Prepare and maintain reports related to benefits, leave and workers compensation providing these HR analytics with interpretation and recommendations to the HRS management team to continuously improve programs and services.Develop and conduct training and new hire orientation sessions regarding benefits, leave and workers compensation services develop and conduct customized training as requested.Utilize functional systems to query, input and approve customer information, such as, but not limited to, a customer tracking system, Workday, benefits administration system, retirement programs enrollment system, leave administration system, and worker compensation system.Other related functions as assigned. .
