Merakey Jobs

Benefits Analyst

Colorado School of Mines

Salary: $65,000.00 - $72,000.00 Annually

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: GLA-JR105980-12/24

Location: Golden, CO

Department Information

Engineering a world of possibilities

Colorado School of Mines Human Resources is looking for our next detail-oriented, organized, and compassionate professional looking to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic and service-focused HR environment. This new team member will provide essential support to our employees and their families through thoughtful benefits and leave administration. In this role, you will:

Navigate complex leave and benefits programs with care and precision, ensuring compliance with health summary plan descriptions (SPDs) and federal and state absence regulations. Serve as a trusted resource for employees, balancing confidentiality and sensitivity in handling diverse needs. Coordinate retirement planning and provide backup support for group benefit plan administration. Collaborate with the Total Rewards Director to evaluate and enhance benefits programs for our State Classified employees, Academic and Administrative Faculty, and Students.

This is a unique opportunity to grow your expertise in benefits management while contributing to a supportive and collegial work culture. If you thrive on juggling multiple priorities in a high-volume setting and enjoy helping others navigate complex systems with kindness and professionalism, we want to hear from you.

This position is hybrid after a period of training. The successful candidate must reside in Colorado to commute regularly to campus in Golden.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Description of Job

Leave of Absence Oversite

Conduct the leave administration process within legal time limits from the employee's initial inquiry or request through their return to work. Oversee proper case management from initiation to resolution including consult, education, coordination of benefits, communications and follow-up. Examples of work include:

Gather, provide and complete all required paperwork, determining leave eligibility, designating leave as FMLA-qualifying, requesting medical certification as needed, and accounting for intermittent and reduced schedule leave use.? Ensure current knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, and state and local laws. Determine if submitted Medical Certification Forms contain all applicable information and if not, return to employee, within legal time limits, with a request for the missing information or request for clarification of information. Communicate with employees regarding their needs for leave and/or modified work schedules. Advise managers regarding requirements of leave and leave laws. Approve or deny leave requests. Complete leave calendars in HRIS system to ensure appropriate hours tracking and accurate pay. Represent Mines in Unemployment matters, and testifying in a legislative arena, as needed In consultation with CHRO, ADA Coordinator, and Legal Counsel, work to resolve complex employee leave and ADA matters such as compulsory leave, reassignment, medical layoff, fitness for duty, and reasonable accommodations. Develop practices and procedures for the Mines absence program. Design and distribute approved materials, including job aids, for Mines absence program. Work with third party administrators; complete employer statements for state and vendor claims forms. Escalate employee issues to vendors when necessary. Facilitate resolution of escalated issues between employees and vendor; assist with the management of vendor accountability.

Benefits Administration

In coordination with the benefits team, this position will plan, coordinate, oversee and manage the benefits programs for both the state classified system and the faculty benefits through the Colorado Higher Education Insurance Benefits Alliance (CHEIBA) Trust. Examples of work include:

Ensure that all benefits and leave operations are fully compliant with all regulations, laws and plan documents. Counsel faculty and staff regarding all areas of benefits including plan choice, enrollment, qualifying events and termination. Oversee research and resolve questions and issues regarding eligibility, enrollment, coverage and claims. Verify that benefit changes outside of open enrollment meet all guidelines including IRS rules and are consistent with plan documents. Coordinate and advise faculty regarding COBRA eligibility and enrollment. Coordinate with benefits providers and assure all plan documents are