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 to 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.

Primary Responsibilities:

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

Under the guidance of the Total Rewards Director and in coordinator 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 maintained in compliance with regulations.
• Develop and deliver new hire orientations and open enrollment information sessions for all benefit eligible employees. 
• Manage employee insurance data to ensure integrity of data and secure and accurate reporting and transfer of data when appropriate and required for benefits administration and support. 
• Facilitate system enhancements to improve and automate processes with the focus on facilitating improved efficiency and accuracy, as well as positive employee experience. 
• Oversee reconciliation of data for insurance and billing to ensure balancing and accurate accounting of county funds associated with employee insurance benefits. 
• Assist in the management and coordination of insurance renewal and open enrollment for Mines insurance plans. Facilitate required notices, tracks plan changes, and prepare and tests system to accept new benefit elements for processing annual open enrollment. 
• Manage and oversee implementation of Benefits Self-Service options for employees, including automated enrollment, mid-year changes, and employee inquiries. 

 Worker’s Compensation

• Serve as the first point of contact for Workers' Compensation claims, for employees, including student employees.
• Explain the process to employees filing a First Report of lnjury, ensure that all necessary information is collected and valid, and explain the basics of the workers' compensation benefits.
• Ensure that the supervisor has completed necessary steps and follows up with questions/clarifications. Contact and take witness statements for routine claims.  

Mandatory and Voluntary Retirement Plans

Provide retirement information and counseling to active employees interested in voluntary retirement plans (401k/457/403b) and active employees transitioning to retirement. Ensure timely and accurate completion of documents critical to processing retirements.  Specifically, that may be

• Manage the PERA 140 process for PERA retirees.   

• Provide vesting information on 401(a) to record keeper, currently Corebridge. 

• Assist employees with Workday entry when necessary.  Enter 457 enrollments into Workday when received from PERA. 

• Audit voluntary retirement elections as necessary. 

Workday System Reporting, Audit and Reconciliation

The person in this position works collaboratively with the Mines Administrative Processing Services (MAPS) and Payroll to ensure data is entered correctly for both vendors and employees in HR Systems, currently Workday. When payroll is not processing as expected, the benefits analyst will provide information to Payroll as requested, and bring configuration issues to the attention of the Total Rewards Director. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree or higher in business administration, human resources management, public administration or closely related field. Related work experience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• One year of experience working with employee leaves covered under federal and state leave laws, and case management that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of this position. 

• Knowledge of employee health benefits plans (medical, dental, vision), ADA, FMLA, Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave. Knowledge of HIPAA and Privacy laws, and proven track record maintaining confidentiality. 

• Expert customer service skills to deliver complex information in clear and concise language. 

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, emotionally charged employee issues. 

• Proven ability to develop trusted working relationships with colleagues and leaders. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the State of Colorado Personnel system for classified employees. 

• Understanding of the integration of leave coding and benefits deductions to payroll. 

• Utilizing Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), for benefits administration and leave administration. Workday experience is highly desired. 

• Benefits administration and leave of absence experience in a public sector or higher education setting. 

Salary and Benefits:

$65,000 - $72,000

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply:

Applicants must:

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Mines welcomes everyone to our team; please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).

Application review will begin January 6, 2025. Please apply by January 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. as applications will not be accepted after that date.

It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities to promote diversity and inclusion at Mines. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at  [email protected] or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this Position.

About Mines & Golden, CO:

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Equal Opportunity:

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons.  Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting