Benefits Specialist

Position: Employee Benefits Specialist
## Employee Benefits Specialist
** We are hiring for:
** Employee Benefits Specialist
** Type:
** Regular If you are a positive and personable individual looking for a satisfying and fun opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and people facing mental health, and substance use challenges, join our team at RHA Health Services!  Provides proactive support to the HR functions for the units assigned to promote our culture of caring and leadership.

Participates on a variety of HR projects and initiatives including Employee Relations, HR Audits and Compliance, and obtaining and analyzing HR data to provide the support needed to help Operations meet goals and objectives. Talent Management activities including recruiting, onboarding, and Training. Total Rewards activities including Benefits Management, Work-Live Balance programs, Compensation administration, and Reward Program implementation. Provides backup for HR Department members as needed.
Education, Licensure, and Experience required for the position include:
Four-year college degree in Human Resources.
Physical requirements to perform essential functions of the job included:
Regularly required to lift 10 lbs. Must be able to lift a minimum of 15 lbs. Must be able to pull a minimum of 10 lbs. Must be able to squat, kneel, crawl, crouch, climb, and stoop. Must be able to regularly use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Required to regularly stand and walk. Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in CPR from the floor level requiring to work on hands, knees, bending, standing and lifting.

Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision. Must be able to talk and hear.
*
* DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

**** Employee Support and Case Resolution
*** Serve as tier-2/tier-3 escalation for complex benefits inquiries (eligibility, coverage, claims guidance, life events, QMCSO, EOI, coordination of benefits), ensuring timely, accurate resolution and excellent service.
* Educate employees and leaders on plan features, eligibility rules, waiting periods, cost, and HCM self-service navigation; create and maintain FAQs and quick-reference guides.
* Track cases to closure, monitor SLAs/CSAT, identify themes, and recommend fixes (training, comms, configuration).
** Plan Administration and Data Integrity
*** Process and audit new hire enrollments, life events, returns from leave, and terminations; validate effective dates and documentation.
* Run routine eligibility and dependent verification audits; correct errors and coach end-users to prevent recurrences.
* Own routine HCM/benefits data audits (sampling, reconciliation to carrier files, arrears review); partner with Payroll on deduction accuracy and retro activity.
** Open Enrollment (OE) and Year-Round Communications
*** Lead OE work streams: rate/table audits, event configuration testing, QA checklist execution, data validation, blackout coordination, and post-OE reconciliation.
* Produce OE guides, plan comparisons, and comms cadence; facilitate employee info sessions (live/virtual) and support leaders with toolkits.
* Track OE completion and intervene with targeted outreach to non-responders.
** Vendor, Carrier, Billing, and File Feeds
*** Serve as daily liaison to carriers/TPAs for eligibility, escalated claims, and service issues; log and drive resolutions.
* Reconcile monthly carrier invoices to payroll deductions/eligibility; research variances, prepare corrections, and submit adjustments for approval.
* Monitor scheduled EDI/file feeds; resolve rejects and timing mismatches with HRIS and vendors; document root causes and preventive actions.
** Compliance and Reporting
*** Support ERISA/Section 125 administration, SBCs/SMMs/SPDs distribution, HIPAA privacy practices, and ACA reporting data quality (1094/1095).
* Coordinate COBRA events via vendor and audit files for accuracy; ensure timely notices through the vendor.
* Maintain SOPs, desk guides, and audit trails; assist with internal audits, external audits, and broker/carrier stewardship reviews.
* Produce recurring and ad hoc reports (enrollment, participation, arrears, OE metrics, appeals/escalations) for Total Rewards and Finance.
** Cross-Functional Collaboration and Continuous Improvement
*** Partner with HRIS on configuration/testing and with Payroll on complex deduction issues, arrears, and refunds.
* Support acquisitions by coordinating Day-1 readiness, employee communications, enrollment timelines, data onboarding, and blackout plans.
* Identify and implement process improvements to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and employee experience (forms, automation, self-service content).
* Perform other duties as assigned.
*
* SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

** This position has no supervisor responsibilities.
** MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
*** Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
* 3+ years of hands-on benefits…