Benefits Counselor II

Salary : $45,000.00 - $48,300.00 Annually

Location : Lexington County, SC

Job Type : FTE - Full-Time

Job Number : 173863

Agency : Midlands Technical College

Opening Date : 02 / 21 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 7 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

Class Code : : AG55

Position Number : : 61132536

Normal Work Schedule : : Other

Normal Work Schedule (Other) : : Monday-Thursday - 8 : 00 am - 5 : 00 pm; Friday - 8 : 00 am - 1 : 30 pm

Pay Band : Band 5

Hiring Range - Min. : $45,000.00

Hiring Range - Max. : $48,300.00

Opening Date : 02 / 21 / 2025

EEO Statement : Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures : : Qualified applicants must visit the SC State Jobs website at www.careers.sc.gov to complete and submit an on-line application. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of applications. Transcripts must be submitted with the employment application when a degree is required. Copies of transcripts are accepted for screening; official transcripts are required if selected.

Veteran Preference Statement : South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities

This position is responsible for assisting with New Hire Orientation, counseling both new and current employees on the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) Insurance and Retirement Benefits, assisting with the implementation of employee wellness education programs, and ensuring compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This includes determining employee eligibility, advising on leave options, and coordinating benefits maintenance during FMLA and leave-without-pay (LWOP) periods.

Job Duties :

• Counsel faculty and staff on insurance, retirement, and benefit programs available through the Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), ensuring timely enrollment, accurate data management, and compliance with state and federal regulations, PEBA guidelines, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Provide support for benefit changes during Open Enrollment. Process related claims and maintain detailed records while serving as a liaison with relevant state agencies.
• Responsible for monitoring and keying appropriate payroll benefits deductions and codes in Colleague upon receiving employee selections or paperwork, ensuring minimal errors. Assist with the billing reconciliation process.
• Evaluate temporary employment agreements to determine insurance eligibility, process insurance offers or terminations, and ensure compliance with ACA guidelines. Conduct periodic reviews and reconciliations to confirm accuracy and timeliness in processing insurance and agreements.
• Assist with facilitating the FMLA leave administration process by determining eligibility, advising employees on the interaction between FMLA and long-term disability, and counseling employees on leave-without-pay (LWOP) options to maintain health benefits.
• Conduct semi-monthly New Hire Orientation (NH) and present information explaining agency policies, state regulations, PEBA retirement and insurance, and SC Deferred Compensation program to new employees.
• Contribute to the planning and facilitation of wellness events to include health screenings, the annual benefits fair, lunch and learn activities, PEBA Perks Initiatives, flu vaccines, etc.

Midlands Technical College is dedicated to providing excellent service to its students, employees, and the community.

This position is located on the Midlands Technical College Airport Campus in the Human Resource Management department.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A bachelor's degree and professional experience in insurance or retirement programs or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of insurance principles and practices, premium determinations and state insurance / retirement. Knowledge of rules, regulations, requirements and laws pertaining to public retirement systems. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to review written materials and financial information and detect discrepancies. Ability to multitask and organize / process a large volume of work with a high degree of accuracy. Ability to perform mathematical calculations with a high degree of accuracy. Ability to read, interpret, understand, and explain policies, procedures, regulations, and statutes.

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note : The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

Do you have a bachelor's degree and professional experience in insurance or retirement programs?

If you do not have a minimum of a bachelors degree, do you have an equivalent combination of education and experience? Please explain :

Please describe in detail your relevant experience as it relates to the administration of insurance and retirement benefits.

Required documents : CV / resume. I understand that if I did not attach my resume to my application, my application is considered incomplete.

If selected for this position, will you be able to provide your official transcript(s) within 20 days of your hire date?

Have you ever been employed by the State of South Carolina? If yes, when and what agencies?

Have you been employed at Midlands Technical College? If yes, when?

Please provide the names of any relatives that are employed by Midlands Technical College.

How did you hear about this position?

Supplemental Questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

Required Question

Salary : $45,000 - $48,300