Dept Number/Name: 0-0320-000 / Central Human Resources
Salary Plan: Administrative
Job Code/Title: 9712 / Coord Benefits
ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:
Central HR consists of multiple areas of expertise including Talent Acquisition, Benefits, Classification & Compensation; Employee and Labor Relations; Continuous Process Improvement, HRIS, HR Business Partners and Talent and Learning Management. USF Human Resources is embarking on a multi-year transformation focused on a Human Resources strategy that elevates our people so that the University and culture support a competitive workforce advantage in line with our strategic plan.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:
Employees are expected to work on the USF Tampa campus on a regular established basis for the role. Examples of this schedule would be between 2 and 5 days per week in the office, depending on business needs.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position provides day-to-day administration, consultative services and technical support for benefit related services and programs offered by the university. The Benefits Coordinator interprets, counsels and ensures compliance in the Florida State Retirement Programs, Health Insurance Programs, Voluntary Deferred Compensation Programs, University's benefits programs and other assigned programs. In this role, the Benefits Coordinator develops and delivers relevant communiques, training and maintains accurate information on the benefits web pages. Serves as a subject matter expert and key resource in developing, maintaining, and implementing improvements in benefit program procedures and processes, initiatives and supporting HR Leadership in facilitating the transformation of the Central Human Resources office.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Retirement administration and counseling: Serves as one of the primary benefits resources to counsel, educate, and provide accurate information regarding all Retirement programs to include the FRS Pension plan, FRS Investment Plan, Optional Retirement program, Temporary Employee Retirement Plan, Voluntary Savings Plan, and the State Deferred Compensation program, either individually or in group sessions. Coordinates and provides educational sessions and one-on-one counseling to employees regarding retirement programs. Researches and resolves problems and complex issues concerning retirement and insurance for employees and retirees. Interprets and ensures compliance of regulatory requirements, policies and procedures established by the various retirement programs.
Benefits administration: Counsels employees on benefits programs; responds to employee inquiries; provides guidance in policy interpretation and resolves issues. Conducts various reconciliations and related audits. Facilitates new employee on-boarding for benefits and retirement including new hire orientation sessions and distribution of new employee benefits information.
Postdoctoral Scholars Health Plan (PostDoc) and Graduate Assistant Subsidy Program (GATARA) administration: Assists with in administering the Postdoctoral Scholars Health plan and Graduate Assistant Subsidy program. Assists with coordinating and tracking all program participation, reviewing and monitoring changes, developing appropriate communications on the program, and resolution of issues. Working with vendors to implement changes to plans and program. Coordinating and partnering with other departments to address concerns and facilitate subsidy payments. Auditing and analyzing data and work flows to identify and make recommendations to HR leadership to enhance efficiencies, ensure compliance with Federal, State and University regulations and to improve client experience.
Employee Tuition and Dependent Tuition Remission Programs: Serves as one of the main contacts for the Employee Tuition Program (ETP) and the Dependent Tuition Remission Program (DTRP). Assists with promoting and tracking all program participation, budget limits, deadlines and communication to employees about approval/denial of participation. Responsible for communications to internal departments in reference to employee or dependent participation.
Assists the Benefits Analyst with the file transmissions from benefits vendors, such as People First, 403b vendors, the supplemental plan vendors, etc. and serves as backup for the Benefits Analyst in managing data files; compiling, extracting, and analyzing complex data to produce plan reports. Performs payroll related reconciliation of benefit deductions and payments. Processing new hire benefits enrollments with People First, both manually and electronically. Runs queries and analyzes data to identify and correct errors that may impact employees' benefits.
Plans and records administration: Serves as liaison with all service providers/vendors, assist with the development, planning and implementation of benefits related events ensures accurate maintenance of record retention requirements, benefits files, scans paper documents into electronic record system. Maintains confidential protected health information.
Domestic Partner Insurance Plan administration: Serves as a backup contact for the domestic partner insurance program. Tracks all program participation and budget, monitors transactions, develops appropriate communications on the program, and resolution of issues.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Serves as one of the main contacts for the Employee Assistance Program. Assists with promoting and tracking all program participation and budget, creates schedule of EAP events and sessions, develops appropriate communications on the program, and provides information to campus community for critical incidents.
Special reports and projects: Participates in special projects and analyses. Prepares reports, filings, and statements in response to internal and external reporting requirements. Serves as a back-up to the Benefits Analyst to analyze data and metrics, industry trends and best practices. Creates and communicates new business processes when an audit identifies a gap in the current procedure.
Performs other duties as assigned.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM:
This position requires a Bachelor's degree and two years of HR related experience; or Master's degree in an area of specialization appropriate for the program. Six years of HR-related experience or a combination of education and experience may substitute for the Bachelor's degree.
FLSB1310 Equivalency:
4 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for bachelor's degree.
6 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for master's degree.
PREFERRED:
(1) Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) (2) Experience with Oracle HCM and PeopleFirst (3) Relevant experience (3+ years) in Benefits Administration including Retirement (4) Demonstrated intermediate level experience using a Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) (5) Strong computer proficiency (Microsoft Office programs including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook (6) Adaptability to changes in the work environment, managing competing demands and dealing with frequent change, delays or unexpected events (7) Excellent presentation, time management and organizational skills. (8) Experience with continuous improvement methodologies and proven ability to make sustainable, high quality process improvements that maintain and enhance customer satisfaction.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
