Benefits Specialist

Overview

Job Purpose: The Benefits Specialist administers various programs related to employee benefits like pension plans, plans related to retirement, health, medical, education and life insurance benefits to employees. The position is responsible to ensure knowledge of plans, communicate to employees their benefits, be the liaison between the Organization and each plan administrator, and complete invoicing and payment of bills.

• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third party administrators. Work with HRIS and Finance to ensure transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration. Work effectively to make sure the plans run smoothly. Investigate discrepancies and provide information in non-routine situations.
• Develop, evaluate and recommend changes to internal processes to provide excellent customer service, reduce costs and increase efficiency. Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefit processes.
• Work with vendors and third party administrators, in conjunction with Finance and executive management, to ensure timeliness and accuracy of required filings.
• Coordinate daily benefit processing including but not limited to:
  Enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, distributions, loans, hardships, compliance testing.
• Manage all leave requests, including but not limited to, Short Term Disability (STD), Family and Medical Leaves (FMLA), Paid Family Leave (PFL), bonding, Workers Compensation, and other types of leave management. Ensure proper follow-up of all paperwork and effectuate proper payment to employees.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefit files.
• Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payment of administrative fees for all group plans.
• Implement and maintain Group Benefits databases and update information in Workday systems. Prepare regular benefit reports in Excel or by extracting data from the database (ie. LOA reports).
• Develop and maintain online forms. (Benefits enrollment, HR status change form, HR action form, Benefits conference, Retirement quotations, etc.).
• Provide exceptional customer service support to internal and external customers. Must follow up on all emails, phone calls and other communications to close the communication gap with employees on their benefits.
• Work with vendors, third parties and internal marketing team to develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the company’s benefits package and wellness programs.
• Prepare and distribute materials for benefit orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions.
• Create and conduct presentations using audiovisual tools including power point and videos.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Schedule:

8:30AM – 5:30PM

Weekly

Hours:

40

Education: Bachelor Degree in Human Resources or related field preferred

• 2-7 years in progressive benefits roles that includes customer service, open enrollment, leave management, plan administration and employee communication
• Experience with union and collective bargaining agreements a plus
• Must have working proficiency in Excel. Experience with Workday and PowerPoint a plus.
• Knowledge of benefit contract language.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements both adopted and pending affecting employee benefit programs, including ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, SECTION 125, Workers Compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.

• Standing – Duration of up to 6 hours a day.
• Sitting/Stationary Positions – Sedentary position in duration of up to 6-8 hours a day for consecutive hours/periods.
• Lifting/Push/Pull – Up to 50 pounds of equipment, baggage, supplies, and other items used in the scope of the job using OSHA guidelines, etc.
• Bending/Squatting – Have to be able to safely bend or squat to perform the essential functions under the scope of the job.
• Stairs/Steps/Walking/Climbing – Must be able to safely maneuver stairs, climb up/down, and walk to access work areas.
• Ag…