Dorchester County Public Schools is currently accepting applications for a Human Resources Benefits and Leave Specialist vacancy at the Central Office. This full-time, 12-month position serves as the school system’s primary resource for employee and retiree benefits administration, including insurance programs, leave management, disability-related processes, workers’ compensation, and related compliance activities. The successful candidate must be a team player and self-starter who can work independently, manage competing priorities, and handle confidential information in a fast-paced office environment. This position requires a broad understanding of school system policies, procedures, and negotiated agreements, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with employees, retirees, district departments, insurance carriers, and outside administrators.

DUTIES:

Benefits Administration and Employee/Retiree Services

Administers health, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending, voluntary benefits, employee assistance, and other applicable benefit programs for active employees and eligible retirees.
Processes benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, eligibility and dependent changes, terminations, and carrier notifications; verifies accuracy across HRIS, enrollment, and vendor systems.
Serves as a primary resource for employee and retiree benefit questions, claims concerns, coverage transitions, plan provisions, and enrollment guidance.
Supports new-hire orientation and develops benefits communications, instructions, forms, and educational materials.
Coordinates retiree benefits for individuals under age 65 and age 65 and older, including Medicare-related transitions and applicable coverage provisions.

Premium Development, Open Enrollment, and Financial Controls

Calculates and validates annual insurance premium rates and employee/employer contributions based on carrier rates, coverage tiers, service categories, and negotiated agreements.
Develops and maintains separate rate schedules for active employees, under-65 retirees, and over-65 retirees.
Plans and administers three annual open enrollment processes for active employees, under-65 retirees, and over-65 retirees; coordinates vendor configuration, rate changes, communications, timelines, and pre-enrollment validation.
Reconciles monthly carrier billing, payroll deductions, retiree premiums, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefit payments, and related financial reports; researches and resolves discrepancies.
Conducts eligibility, enrollment, billing, and vendor audits; coordinates corrections and recovery of erroneous payments as appropriate.

Leave of Absence, ADA, and Disability Administration

Administers and tracks FMLA, leave without pay, medical leave, and other contractual or statutory leave programs, including eligibility determinations, required notices, documentation, timelines, and payroll/benefit impacts.
Coordinates the ADA interactive process, including accommodation requests, documentation, communications, review, and follow-up with appropriate district officials.
Coordinates leave-related return-to-work procedures, work restrictions, and communications with supervisors and other stakeholders.
Provides guidance on applicable Maryland paid family and medical leave requirements and supports district implementation as assigned.
Coordinates Sick Leave Bank matters and disability-related benefits or retirement processes with appropriate program administrators.

Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment, and Risk Coordination

Coordinates workers’ compensation claims, including incident reporting, claim documentation, communications with insurers or administrators, work-status tracking, and return-to-work arrangements.
Maintains workers’ compensation records, monitors claim and payroll status, and supports reviews, hearings, and legal proceedings; assists with workplace injury prevention and required reporting.
Coordinates unemployment claim responses, supporting documentation, and hearing preparation with district representatives.
Administers COBRA and other continuation-of-coverage notices, eligibility changes, premium arrangements, and coverage transitions; coordinates disability retirement-related insurance and separation processes.

Retirement, COBRA, and Continuation Coverage

Supports employee education and coordination with retirement savings and deferred compensation vendors, including 403(b) and Roth programs, as assigned.
Administer COBRA and other continuation-of-coverage notifications, eligibility changes, premium coordination, and coverage transitions.

Compliance, Systems, Training, and HR Operations

Interprets and applies federal and Maryland laws, Board policies, negotiated agreements, insurance plan documents, and district procedures; identifies compliance concerns and recommends corrective action.
Develops and updates standard operating procedures, checklists, forms, audits, and employee communications related to benefits and leave administration.
Maintains accurate, confidential records in eFinance/SunGard, employee access, benefits enrollment, carrier, and third-party systems; coordinates with Finance and Payroll regarding deductions, contributions, leave status, separations, and reconciliations.
Provides guidance and training to employees, supervisors, and HR staff; coordinates vendor relations, service issues, benefit fairs, and employee education events.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor of Human Resources or other appropriate management staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or G.E.D. certificate; A.A. degree or higher in Human Resources or Finance preferred.
Two years of increasingly responsible human resources experience preferred.
Must obtain and maintain Retirement Coordinator Certification through the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA).
Progressively responsible experience in benefits administration, leave management, insurance, human resources, or related operations preferred.
Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, COBRA, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and applicable federal and Maryland benefits and leave requirements.
Ability to interpret insurance plan documents and negotiated agreements; calculate premiums and contribution rates; reconcile financial records; and identify discrepancies.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and ability to accurately use HRIS, payroll, benefits enrollment, and vendor platforms.
Strong written and verbal communication, analytical, organizational, problem-solving, presentation, and customer-service skills.
Ability to exercise sound independent judgment, maintain confidentiality, manage competing priorities and deadlines, and coordinate effectively with employees, retirees, leadership, Finance, and external partners.