Job Description

Description
Number of Vacancies: 1
Area of Consideration: Open To The Public
Position Status: Full-Time, Regular
Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/6
Salary Range: Up to $78,864
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Brief Description of Duties
The Senior Benefits Specialist supports the full scope of the University's benefits and retirement programs by providing high-quality service, timely processing, and expert guidance to employees and retirees. The role administers the life cycle of health, life, retirement, and remitted tuition benefits; conducts eligibility reviews; processes retirements, survivors, and beneficiaries; and provides accurate benefit estimates and calculations. Serving as a primary point of contact, the Senior Benefits Specialist delivers exceptional customer service through individualized counseling, clear communication, and responsive issue resolution.
The Senior Benefits Specialist enhances the employee experience by developing benefits education materials, updating intranet content, assisting with financial wellness initiatives, and preparing reports that help leadership understand benefit trends and opportunities for improvement. The position also plays a key role in strengthening benefits operations by maintaining accurate data, conducting regular audits, troubleshooting discrepancies, and supporting the modernization of benefit processes. This includes testing system updates, validating plan changes, and helping implement digital tools and streamlined workflows that make benefits easier to access and understand.
Overall, the Senior Benefits Specialist combines strong technical competency with a customer-centered approach to deliver reliable, accessible, and meaningful benefits services to the University community. The position is part of the team responsible for the University's core HR administrative functions, including compensation, classification, benefits, HR finance, office management, and policy. In this capacity, the role contributes to consistent processes, supports cross-functional workflows, and assists HR leadership in ensuring that these interconnected areas operate smoothly and in alignment with institutional standards.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Benefits & Retirement Administration - 40%

Administers the full life cycle of employee and retiree benefits, including health, life, retirement, and remitted tuition. Conducts benefit eligibility reviews; processes new retirees, survivors, and beneficiaries; verifies benefit documentation; and ensures accurate updates in HRIS and related systems. Provides retirement estimates and benefits calculations, and resolves complex retirement and benefits-related cases. Serves as a primary resource for employees and retirees, delivering high-quality guidance, orientations, and individual counseling.

• Communication, Employee Support & Benefits Education - 25%

Delivers excellent customer service by responding to employee and retiree inquiries, troubleshooting benefits and data issues, and coordinating with vendors to resolve escalations. Develops and updates communication materials, intranet content, and financial wellness resources to ensure employees understand retirement programs, plan changes, and required actions. Supports management decision-making by preparing utilization reports, analyzing trends, and recommending enhancements to plan design, processes, and wellness initiatives.

• Benefits Data Integrity, Audits & Process Modernization - 20%

Ensures accuracy, compliance, and modernization of benefits and retirement data by conducting regular audits, resolving data discrepancies, and enhancing data quality across HRIS, benefits platforms, and related systems. Coordinates internal and external benefits audits by preparing required documentation and collaborating with actuaries, vendors, and plan administrators. Supports modernization of benefits processes by identifying system improvements, participating in user testing for HRIS/benefits updates, validating plan design changes, and helping implement digital tools and automated workflows. Leads efforts to streamline benefits processes, strengthen data governance, and improve the employee experience through enhanced technology, communication, and benefits operations practices.

• Vendor & Stakeholder Coordination - 15%

Collaborates with external agencies such as DCHR, OPRS, TIAA, and third-party benefits administrators to resolve complex benefits issues and obtain required data.
Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, public administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3 years of professional experience in benefits administration, retirement processing, or related HR operations functions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of employee benefits programs (health, life, retirement, tuition, disability) and applicable laws and regulations.
• Experience providing customer service in an HR environment, including supporting employees with benefits navigation, documentation, and problem resolution.
• Experience working with HRIS, benefits enrollment systems, or retirement administration platforms.
• Ability to review and interpret benefits eligibility, retirement rules, and supporting documentation with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills with the ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex benefits topics in a clear and supportive manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal HR teams, external agencies, and third-party benefits administrators.

Information to Applicant
Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is not part of the collective bargaining unit.
Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA).
Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
Veterans Preference: Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.
Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This position is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Residency Preference: A person applying for a position who is a bona fide District resident at the time of application for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.
Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation. The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia. The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.
Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.
Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources only.
Contact Information: All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5380.
The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University's EO Policy Statement, please visit:

Skills Required