Benefits Specialist

• The Benefits Specialist is responsible for assisting employees with benefits enrollment and questions, verifying insurance billing, maintaining employee database, and ensuring compliance with required benefit notices.  This position will work closely with HR management in coordinating and managing employee benefits programs.

Essential Functions:

1. Benefits Administration: 60%

• Administers various employee benefits programs, such as group health, flexible spending accounts, dental and vision, accident and disability, life insurance, 401(k), and wellness benefits.
• Coordinates benefits processing both internally and with outside administrators.  Ensures all enrollments, compliance notifications, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, 401k transactions are processed both accurately and timely.
• Maintains accurate employee benefits files, and update payroll records.
• Reconciles monthly premium statements for all group insurance policies and maintain statistical data relative to premiums, claims and costs. Resolves administrative problems with the carrier representatives.
• Processes and administers all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, personal, disability and FMLA.  Effectively interprets FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities.
• Administers gym reimbursement and vehicle allowance programs.

2. Employee Communications: 20%

• Assists employees with health, dental, life and other related benefit enrollment, claims escalation or questions.
• Responds to 401(k) inquiries from employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts.
• Creates or manages the creation of employee benefits communications.
• Conducts monthly benefit orientations, and open enrollment meetings annually. Distributes all benefits enrollment materials and determines eligibility.

3. Reporting: 10%

• Assist the Benefits & Compensation Manager, or other HR leadership in obtaining reporting and analysis for any benefits plans.

4. Performs other duties as assigned. 10%

Education and Experience:

• A minimum of 5 to 8 years related experience and/or training in Human Resources and/or employee benefits administration is required. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP, or CEBS certification will be considered.

Skills/Abilities:

• Proficient with HRIS and benefits administration software, such as Ultipro is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits administration and compliance.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA and ERISA requirements.
• Able to maintain confidentiality regarding employee benefits and personal information.
• Demonstrates effective organizational skills and able to handle multiple tasks.
• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Proficient with the following Microsoft Suite.
• Proficiency with Adobe suite products preferred.

Work Environment:

• Office environment with some travel required.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.