Human Resources recruiting for 2017-18 benefits ambassadors program, encouraging applicants

In its second year on the West Lafayette campus, the Benefits Ambassadors program is again open for applications for the 2017-18 term. Human Resources reminds faculty and staff that the program was implemented last year as part of an effort to promote overall health campus-wide. The goal of the program is to recruit interested and able faculty and staff to act as liaisons to Purdue’s benefits team.

Human Resources is asking that all interested faculty and staff submit an application by Sept. 8. Applications can be completed and submitted electronically. Notifications will be sent to all applicants via email no later than Sept. 22. Please note, employees should obtain supervisor approval before submitting an application.

“We were pleased with the program we created and its success last year,” says Candace Shaffer, interim associate director, benefits programs, who oversees the ambassadors program. “This year we hope to expand on what we began with and have ambassadors representing all areas and departments campus-wide. The ambassadors program gives a voice to our benefits department as well as direct liaisons to the faculty and staff that we work tirelessly on behalf of.”

The ambassadors will help inform and encourage colleagues to achieve healthier lifestyles by providing information on the variety of benefits resources available, sharing suggestions and ideas in committee meetings and actively advocating health and wellness benefits among their co-workers. Benefits ambassadors will have the opportunity to learn about initiatives and schedule programming pertaining but not limited to Family Friendly, Retirement, Financial Benefits, Medical Benefits, Center for Healthy Living and Leaves/Time Off.

Benefits ambassadors’ responsibilities are:

* Attend a half-day, detailed training about the role of a benefits ambassador. Orientation will take place 8 a.m.-noon Oct. 5 at Kurz Purdue Technology Center, PRF Conference Rooms A and B. The center is at 1281 Win Hentschel Blvd. in Purdue Research Park.

* Serve a one-year term.

* Work in conjunction with the benefits team.

* Attend quarterly meetings to receive up-to-date information on benefits initiatives;
-- Meeting 2:  Jan. 16, 2018; location TBD.
-- Meeting 3: April 10, 2018; location TBD.
-- Meeting 4: July 17, 2018; location TBD.

* Share information that is received with their respective departments/areas.

* Organize a minimum of four workshops, events or activities for their represented area.

* Assist with distribution of benefits posters throughout campus.

* Share suggestions and ideas in committee meetings.

* Actively advocate health and wellness benefits among their co-workers.

The time commitment, outside of the initial training and quarterly meetings, is at the discretion of the ambassador and may be based on the resources and information provided by the benefits department. Those selected as ambassadors will serve in paid status.  

Human Resources has created an overview and frequently asked questions for the program. Any additional questions can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222 or hr@purdue.edu.