Jose Manuel Venegas
San Juan
Summary
Dynamic Benefits Specialist with over three years of experience in administering comprehensive employee benefit programs, managing leave cases, and ensuring compliance with ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and state regulations. Proficient in Workday ERP administration, data auditing, and premium reconciliation, with a strong ability to resolve complex benefits issues with precision and professionalism. Recognized for exceptional analytical skills and attention to detail, along with a proven capability to support diverse employee populations through clear communication and service-oriented guidance. Committed to enhancing employee satisfaction and optimizing benefits administration processes.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Benefits Specialist
South Texas College
06.2022 - Current
- Administer employee benefit programs, including FMLA, ADA, leave of absence, STD, and LTD, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Serve as the first point of contact for employees regarding benefits, including eligibility, life events, COBRA, and open enrollment.
- Oversee benefit packages for over 2,200 employees across multiple campuses.
- Participated in the implementation and transition to the Workday ERP system, assisting with data validation, system testing, user feedback, and process alignment for benefits and payroll functions.
- Manage qualifying events (QLEs), and eligibility updates to ensure accurate and timely benefits enrollment and compliance.
- Partner with carriers and payroll teams to reconcile monthly billing, validate premium deductions, and resolve shortages, overages, and discrepancies.
- Coordinate premium collection and communicate payment responsibilities for employees on leave to ensure accounts remain current throughout leave periods.
- Conduct benefit orientations for new hires and enroll employees in benefit plans.
- Maintain vendor communication to resolve discrepancies and support claims processing for disability.
- Conduct leave tracking and audits to ensure accuracy and compliance with college policies.
- Maintain, audit, and validate benefits data in Workday and ERS (Employee Retirement System of Texas) to ensure accuracy in eligibility, payroll deductions, and billing; proactively address discrepancies to support data integrity.
- Perform payroll maintenance, including reviewing and auditing Workday payroll reports to support accurate and timely payroll processing.
- Organize and support annual open enrollment events, wellness fairs, and retirement fairs.
- Audit employee benefits data to ensure accurate recordkeeping and compliance.
- Evaluate benefit programs and provide recommendations to leadership based on benchmarking and analysis.
- Ensure confidentiality of employee data and uphold the mission and values of South Texas College.
Human Resource Assistant
Temps Plus
11.2021 - 06.2022
- Conducted reviews of HR records to ensure efficient, compliant hiring operations.
- Verified and audited new-hire documentation to ensure compliance with federal labor standards.
- Provided support to employees with HR-related inquiries and directed them to appropriate specialists.
- Organized and hosted weekly new employee orientation sessions, including onboarding communication.
- Maintained accurate documentation and supported HR staff with administrative and compliance tasks.
Education
Master of Science - Healthcare Administration
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
08.2022
Bachelor of Science - undefined
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
05.2021
Skills
- Regulatory Compliance: Extensive experience auditing records for compliance with federal and state regulations (ACA, COBRA, HIPAA)
- Benefits Administration: Skilled in QLE processing, FMLA, ADA, premium reconciliation, ACA reporting, and data audits
- Record Auditing & Accuracy: Advanced ability to review, audit, and maintain precise benefit and payroll records
- Training & Development: Conduct benefits orientation and provide employee education on eligibility and plan options
- Technical Proficiency: Microsoft Office; Workday; Banner; multiple benefits vendor portals
- Bilingual (English & Spanish): Fluent in speaking and writing; strong communication abilities across diverse populations
- Attention to Detail: Proven accuracy in compliance documentation, payroll support, and benefits auditing
- Problem Solving & Critical Thinking: Strong analytical skills used to evaluate benefit trends and resolve system/vendor discrepancies
- Adaptability: Skilled at managing high-volume workloads, shifting priorities, and fast-paced environments
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Benefits Specialist
South Texas College
06.2022 - Current
Human Resource Assistant
Temps Plus
11.2021 - 06.2022
Bachelor of Science - undefined
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Master of Science - Healthcare Administration
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley