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J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Benefits Specialist

🇺🇸 Hybrid - Henrico, VA 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $73K 💻 Human Resources 🗓️ March 25th, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is hiring a Benefits Specialist. The role involves administering all employee benefits programs, providing benefits counseling to faculty and staff, conducting enrollment sessions, developing benefits communications, and partnering with vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure compliant and timely benefits delivery.

Highlights
  • Administers health insurance, retirement plans, leave programs (FMLA, VSDP), ADA accommodations, Workers' Compensation, and educational benefits.
  • Provides comprehensive benefits counseling and conducts new hire and open enrollment sessions.
  • Develops clear benefits communications and serves as the primary contact for benefits inquiries.
  • Partners with third-party vendors, VCCS Shared Services Center, and internal stakeholders.
  • Requires proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Excel for benefits administration and data analysis.
  • Needs expert knowledge of benefits programs and working knowledge of relevant federal and state laws (ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, ADA, FMLA).
  • Preferred experience with Commonwealth of Virginia benefits programs, Cardinal HCM, Virginia Retirement System (VRS), and in higher education HR offices.
  • Professional HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP) is a plus.
  • Full-time exempt position with a salary up to $73,000 commensurate with experience.
  • Requires strong critical thinking, discretion, confidentiality, and communication skills to support decision-making and build trust with faculty and staff.

Benefits Specialist Full Description

Benefits Specialist
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155
Posting Details
 Posting Summary 
Working Title  | Benefits Specialist
Role Title  | Human Resource Analyst I
Role Code  | 19091-SW
FLSA  | Exempt
Pay Band  | 04
Position Number  | 28300235
Agency  | J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Division  | J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Div)
Work Location  | Henrico - 087
Hiring Range  | Salary commensurate with experience. Salary maximum $73,000
Emergency/Essential Personnel  | No
EEO Category  | 2-Professionals
Full Time or Part Time  | Full Time
Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs-  | Yes
Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference?  | No
Work Schedule  | Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week
Sensitive Position  | Yes

Job Description 
Reynolds is one of the largest community colleges in Virginia and serves Virginia’s capital city and five nearby counties. Annually, our four campus sites serve approximately 13,000 credit students and provide training for 7,400 students through the Community College Workforce Alliance. Reynolds is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse, culturally competent staff at all levels of the organization who reflect the demographics of our students. We also believe in providing an ongoing investment in our faculty and staff to deepen their skills and competencies to serve the full range of our student population.

The Benefits Specialist serves as the college’s subject-matter expert for employee benefits administration. This position administers all benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, leave programs (FMLA, VSDP), ADA accommodations, Workers’ Compensation, and educational benefits. The Benefits Specialist provides comprehensive benefits counseling to faculty and staff, conducts new hire and open enrollment sessions, develops clear and effective benefits communications, and serves as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries. The role partners closely with third-party vendors, the VCCS Shared Services Center, and internal stakeholders to ensure the accurate, compliant, and timely delivery of benefits services.

Key Competencies and Skills
The ideal candidate demonstrates strong critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze and solve benefits-related issues. This position requires a high level of discretion and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information. The Benefits Specialist must be able to interpret, analyze, and present benefits data in a professional, clear, and efficient manner, while effectively communicating decisions, policies, and procedures to a varied employee population. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential to support informed decision-making and to build trust with faculty, staff, and partners.

Special Assignments  | May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA's/Required Qualifications  | Knowledge of Benefits Administration Expert knowledge of employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, wellness, tuition assistance, and leave programs. Working knowledge of federal and state laws impacting benefits administration (ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, ADA, FMLA). Experience in interpreting and applying complex HR policies, procedures, and regulations. Proficiency in HRIS systems for benefits administration, reporting, and data analysis. Experience in performing detailed calculations related to benefits, salaries, and deductions. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to organize, analyze, and present data. Experience assisting with the planning and organization of employee engagement events.
Additional Considerations  | Preferred Experience administering Commonwealth of Virginia benefits programs and leave practices. Experience with Cardinal, HCM, and the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Experience in a college or university human resources office. Professional HR certification (e.g., PHR, SHRM-CP).
Operation of a State Vehicle  | No
Supervises Employees  | No
Required Travel  | Travel may be required between campuses.
 Posting Detail Information 
Posting Number  | CLS_4369P
Recruitment Type  | General Public - G
Number of Vacancies  | 1
Position End Date (if temporary)  |
Job Open Date  | 03/24/2026
Job Close Date  | 04/03/2026
Open Until Filled  | No
Agency Website  | www.reynolds.edu
Contact Name  |
Email  |
Phone Number   
Special Instructions to Applicants  | In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155
Additional Information  | This position is not eligible for employment-based sponsorship.
Background Check Statement Disclaimer  | The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link:  http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/
EEO Statement  | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.
ADA Statement  | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.
E-Verify Statement  | VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.
Quicklink for Posting  | https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/94664
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * Are you a current Commonwealth of Virginia employee? 
    • Yes
    • No
  2. * Will you require sponsorship to accept employment? 
    • Yes
    • No
  3. * Do you have experience working for a state-supported institution or agency in Virginia? 
    • Yes
    • No
  4. * Do you have previous experience working within a college/higher education setting or state agency? 
    • Yes
    • No
  5. * Have you ever been employed full-time or part-time by Reynolds Community College or any institution within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS)? If yes, please specify the institution, your position title, and dates of employment: 
    (Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume
Optional Documents
  1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
  2. Unofficial Transcripts
  3. Alternative Hiring Process Letter