Benefits Associate

The Benefits Associate supports the day-to-day administration of the universitys benefits programs ensuring accurate processing and responsive service. This role provides faculty and staff with clear guidance on health welfare retirement and related benefits and assists with routine transactions and documentation. The Benefits Associate maintains benefit records and systems to ensure compliance accurate reporting and data integrity and appropriately escalates more complex issues to senior team members. Through efficient and service-oriented support this position contributes to a positive experience for the university community.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide front-line benefits support to employees through timely and accurate case management

• Respond to benefits inquiries with a strong customer-service mindset ensuring clear and professional communication

• Support day-to-day administration of health welfare and voluntary benefit programs

• Assist with benefit enrollments changes and terminations including qualifying life events

• Maintain accurate employee benefit records across HR systems and vendor platforms

• Partner closely with Benefits Partners and leadership to resolve issues and escalate complex cases appropriately

• Support Open Enrollment activities including data validation employee communications and post-OE maintenance

• Review and process benefit documentation in compliance with policy timelines and regulatory requirements

• Proactively identify trends errors or recurring issues and flag them for review

• Participate in audits reconciliations and special projects as assigned

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Deliver consistent high-quality customer service with attention to detail

• Demonstrate accountability follow-through and ownership of assigned work

• Communicate clearly and collaborate effectively with peers and cross-functional partners

• Show initiative by anticipating needs and resolving issues proactively

• Adhere to deadlines service standards and compliance requirements

• Actively contribute to team knowledge-sharing and process improvement

Preferred Skills & Experience

• 4 years in benefits administration HR operations or customer service in a complex organization.

• Experience supporting employee benefits or HR operations in a fast-paced environment

• Experience using ServiceNow (SNOW) for case management and employee support

• Workday benefits transactions experience

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail

• Comfortable working with HRIS systems case management tools and vendor platforms

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving skills

• Spanish bilingual a plus

Minimum Skills & Experience:

• Associates degree in human resources Business Administration Public Administration or related field(s).

• 2 years in human resources support benefits support payroll support or a related administrative role.

• Basic knowledge of employee benefits administration including health welfare and/or retirement programs.

• Ability to interpret and apply established policies procedures and eligibility guidelines related to employee benefits.

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately process forms verify documentation and maintain records.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with employees regarding benefits programs procedures and requirements.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive employee information.

• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word Excel Outlook).

• Ability to manage routine administrative tasks follow structured processes and meet deadlines.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to track multiple transactions and maintain accurate files and records.

The budgeted hourly range for this position is $34.87 - $38.46. When extending an offer of employment the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position the candidates work experience education/training key skills internal peer alignment federal state and local laws contractual stipulations grant funding as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at or by email at. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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