Who We AreOur mission is simple but critical: to build pathways for adult learners to earn high-quality, workforce-aligned degrees and credentials from North Carolina’s public universities.At Project Kitty Hawk, our work reflects our company values: Collaboration – We prioritize our partners’ success and reputation, aligning every initiative with their goals, reflecting their values, and enhancing their impact. Innovation – We innovate, not replicate. As creative problem solvers, we use data-driven insights to push boundaries, continuously improve our services, develop solutions, and redefine what it means to serve nontraditional learners. Empathy – We understand the unique challenges of nontraditional learners, and are committed to supporting them with empathy, respect, and solutions that fit their needs. Integrity – We operate with transparency and accountability in everything we do. We uphold honesty, take ownership of our work, and maintain the highest standards. Teamwork – We embody the collaboration we seek. We always strive to be dependable, supportive, and solutions-oriented teammates.Together, we partner with universities in the University of North Carolina (UNC) System to produce innovative, flexible degree and credential programs in high-demand fields. Each PKH team member plays a vital role in advancing this mission and shaping the future of education for adult learners.These values will enable us to realize PKH’s vision: to make North Carolina’s public universities the top choice for adult learners and to amplify the UNC System’s role as a national leader in higher education innovation, access, and student success. By joining our team, you have an opportunity to contribute to our achievement of that vision, in the process helping to create opportunities for thousands of learners to earn their success and move up the economic ladder.At Project Kitty Hawk we hire talented people who are not only dedicated to our mission but share our belief that working together makes us stronger and more effective. In this organization you’ll find individuals with a range of interesting backgrounds and life stories; the true magic happens when those individuals come together to solve problems in service of a common goal. We encourage you to bring your unique perspective, talents, and ideas to the table as we strive to make a meaningful impact.The RoleWe are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Benefits Administrator to join our team on a part-time basis. This role is critical to ensuring the accurate administration of employee benefits programs, compliance with evolving regulations, and a seamless employee experience from onboarding through leave management. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional quality assurance capabilities, stay current with employment laws, and take initiative to identify and resolve issues before they impact employees or the organization.This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on employee satisfaction and organizational compliance while working in a flexible, part-time capacity. If you are a meticulous, forward-thinking benefits professional who takes pride in delivering exceptional quality and service, we encourage you to apply.What you’ll do:Benefits Administration & Quality AssuranceAdminister all employee benefits programs including health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, and other company-sponsored benefits with meticulous attention to detailConduct regular audits of benefits data, enrollment records, and documentation to ensure 100% accuracy and identify discrepancies proactivelyReview and verify all benefits-related transactions, communications, and documentation before dissemination to employeesMaintain quality control processes to prevent errors in benefits enrollment, changes, and terminationsServe as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries, providing accurate and timely informationPartner closely with our insurance broker on renewals, open enrollment, and complianceStay current with federal, state, and local employment laws affecting benefits administration, including ACA, ERISA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable regulationsMonitor legislative changes and proactively assess their impact on company benefits programs and policiesEnsure all benefits programs, processes, and documentation remain compliant with current laws and regulationsOnboarding & Background VerificationManage critical components of the employee onboarding process, ensuring a positive first impression and complianceVerify completion and accuracy of background checks before employment beginsCoordinate with background check vendors and follow up on any discrepancies or delaysEnsure all pre-employment requirements are satisfied and documented prior to start datesFacilitate benefits enrollment for new hires, explaining options and deadlines clearlyCreate and maintain organized onboarding files with all required documentationMedical Leave & Absence ManagementOversee and coordinate all employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, short-term disability, long-term disability, workers' compensation, and personal leavesProactively communicate with employees on leave regarding their rights, responsibilities, and benefits continuationTrack leave eligibility, usage, and return-to-work dates with precisionCollaborate with managers and People Operations to ensure smooth transitions when employees go on leave and return to workMaintain confidential leave records and ensure compliance with all applicable leave lawsEmployee Handbook ManagementReview and update handbook content upon request to reflect policy changes, legal updates, and best practicesTrack and maintain records of employee handbook receipt and acknowledgmentRespond to employee questions regarding handbook policies and proceduresProactive Process ImprovementIdentify opportunities to streamline benefits administration processes and improve efficiencyTake initiative to resolve problems independently while keeping appropriate stakeholders informedDevelop and maintain procedure documentation to ensure consistency and continuityWorking ConditionsUsually work during normal business hours, Monday through FridayApproximately 20-25 hours per week with flexibility around payroll cycles, open enrollment, and quarterly vendor meetings.What you bring:Education and Experience4+ years of experience in benefits administration or HR with substantial benefits responsibilityThorough knowledge of benefits regulations including FMLA, COBRA, ACA, ERISA, and HIPAADemonstrated commitment to quality assurance and error-free work productProven track record of staying current with employment law changes and proactively implementing necessary updatesExperience managing medical leaves and understanding of accommodation requirements under ADAStrong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlinesExceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all workExcellent written and verbal communication skillsHigh level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information appropriatelyProficiency with HRIS systems and benefits administration platformsStrong problem-solving skills and ability to work independentlyPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSCEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) or similar certificationExperience with background check coordination and onboarding processesKnowledge of employee handbook development and maintenanceExperience in a multi-state organization with varying compliance requirementsSalary Range$40 - $50 an hourClosing DescriptionProject Kitty Hawk is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.Project Kitty Hawk is dedicated to this policy concerning recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact Kelly Snow at [email protected].We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.How to Apply: Visit https://jobs.lever.co/projectkittyhawk/7c380634-ac97-4f2b-a38f-9e12a54fe6d7/apply
