Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist (Leave Administration) – Contract

Location: Remote (Central Time hours)
Preference: Minnesota-based candidates (for potential conversion)
Company: Xcel Energy
Job Type: Full-Time Contract (High potential for conversion)

About the Role

We are seeking a Benefits Specialist to join our Leave Administration team, supporting critical back-end processes for employee leave and accommodation programs. This is a non-customer-facing, administrative role focused on accuracy, compliance, and system management.

You’ll play a key role in ensuring employees are properly processed through leave programs such as state statutory leaves, FMLA, and disability benefits.

What You’ll Do

• Manage employee leave data across systems (Workday, UKG, ServiceNow)

• Process employees on/off leave and maintain accurate records

• Complete required state and compliance paperwork (e.g., Colorado Family Leave, Minnesota Paid Leave)

• Support payroll processes, including pay calculations and historical lookbacks

• Maintain and manage shared inboxes for leave administration

• Assist with timekeeping updates and administrative HR tasks

• Partner with internal teams and vendors to ensure compliance with:

  • FMLA

  • Short-Term Disability (STD)

  • Long-Term Disability (LTD)

A Typical Day

Your day will vary depending on payroll cycles, but may include:

• Processing leave-related paperwork during payroll close

• Compiling up to 5 years of pay history

• Updating leave statuses in HR systems

• Sending policy-related communications via email

• Performing high-volume data entry and system updates

What We’re Looking For

Required Skills

• Strong data entry accuracy and attention to detail

• Ability to navigate multiple systems simultaneously

• Experience with or ability to learn:

  • Workday

  • UKG

  • ServiceNow

• Basic understanding of HR, benefits, or leave administration

Preferred (Nice to Have)

• Experience with statutory leave programs

• Exposure to payroll processes

• Background in HR benefits or accommodations

Soft Skills That Matter

• Strong written communication

• Reliability and consistency

• Team-oriented mindset

• Ability to work efficiently in a structured, process-driven environment

Experience Level

• Entry-level to early-career candidates encouraged to apply

• Prior HR or leave administration experience is a plus, but not required

Work Environment

• Highly collaborative, supportive team

• Cohesive culture with strong teamwork

• Fully remote with Central Time alignment

Why Join Xcel Energy?

• Opportunity to work with a leading energy company

• Stable workload and supportive leadership

• Entry-level friendly with strong training support

• High potential for full-time conversion

• Remote flexibility

Additional Details

• Schedule: Full-time, Central Time hours

• Overtime: Minimal to none

• Travel: None required

• Interview Process:

  • 1 round (Teams video, camera on)

  • 2 interviewers

  • Interviews starting early May