Human Resources |Benefits Specialist | 1/2 Time

This is a half-time position (20 - 25 hours per week) in office.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Administer all employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plans, and voluntary benefits.
• Process enrollments, status changes, qualifying life events, and terminations in a timely and accurate manner.
• Coordinate and administer open enrollment, including employee education and communications.
• Manage COBRA administration and related reporting.
• Serve as the primary contact for employee benefit inquiries and issue resolution.

Leave of Absence & ADA Administration

• Administer leave programs including FMLA, military leave, workers’ compensation and personal leave programs.
• Provide required notices, eligibility determinations, and rights and responsibilities documentation in compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Track and monitor leave usage, intermittent leave, and return-to-work documentation.
• Coordinate leave benefits with short-term disability and workers’ compensation programs as applicable.
• Administer and coordinate the ADA interactive process.
• Maintain accurate and confidential leave and accommodation records.
• Serve as a resource to managers and employees regarding leave procedures, ADA requirements, and compliance obligations.

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain accurate benefit, leave, and accommodation records within HRIS and related systems.
• Assist the HR Director with Form 5500 preparation and other required filings.
• Support nondiscrimination testing, audits, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Ensure required annual notices and disclosures are distributed appropriately.

Financial & Analytical Support

• Reconcile benefit invoices and claims funding reports.
• Assist the HR Director with benefits budgeting and forecasting.
• Provide claims trend and utilization data to support strategic decision-making.

Employee Support & Communication

• Provide clear, confidential, and empathetic assistance to employees regarding benefits, leave, and accommodation options.
• Develop and distribute benefit, leave, and ADA-related communication materials.

Job Requirements

Required Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred.     

Required Work experience

• Minimum of 2–3 years of benefits and leave administration experience required.
• Experience administering FMLA and coordinating ADA accommodations required.
• Experience administering a self-insured health plan strongly preferred.
• Healthcare or hospital experience preferred, ideally in a Critical Access Hospital setting.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and related regulations.
• Understanding of self-funded health plan operations, stop-loss coverage, and claims funding.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, documentation, and organizational skills.
• High level of discretion and ability to manage sensitive medical information confidentially.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate sensitive employee situations with professionalism and empathy.
• Ability to work independently within established parameters and under HR Director oversight.
• Proficiency in HRIS and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred qualifications

• CEBS, SHRM-CP, PHR, or related certification.