Senior Benefits Specialist

Responsible for the organization’s benefits plans and programs, including dental, vision, disability, FMLA, pension, retiree medical, 401(k), workers compensation, life insurance, and flexible spending account, etc. This position ensures compliance with the organization’s policies and practices and local state and federal laws and regulations.

Essential Functions

• Maintains and improves existing benefits and wellness plans, programs, processes, and procedures
• Coordinates daily benefits processing, including reimbursements, eligibility, enrollments, qualifying life event changes, terminations, COBRA, beneficiary changes, disability, accident and death claims, qualified medical support orders, FMLA, short-term disability, and workers’ compensation, and employment and wage verifications
• Supports the new hire onboarding and annual enrollment for benefits by coordinating materials (i.e., enrollment guides, summary of benefits and coverage handouts, summary plan descriptions, etc.), giving executive presentations, and vendor coordination
• Serves as point of contact for benefits inquiries from employees/retirees and troubleshooting by analyzing, identifying root causes, and resolving issues and discrepancies in a timely manner
• Maintains benefit records, files, and information and monitors benefit deduction data in HRIS to ensure accuracy for payroll processing, vendor payments, benefits enrollment/eligibility, etc.
• Supports annual audit preparation in partnership with external accounting firm to include benefits plans and the 5500 filing and discrimination testing, in accordance with plan documents, established policies and procedures, and applicable laws and regulations
• Responsible for maintaining and improving the wellness program, which includes the wellness platform, maintenance of the gym and wellness center, external vendor relationships, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrates strong knowledge of relevant specialty area, leading important initiatives, offering guidance to team members, and promoting innovation and strategic improvements within the organization
• Ability to communicate complex information in a clear, understandable, and influential manner to stakeholders
• Ability to lead and work collaboratively with diverse teams to achieve common goals, while mentoring team members
• Demonstrates advanced planning, organizational, and time management skills, leading multiple projects, guiding team members, and driving strategic initiatives to achieve organizational goals
• Advanced ability to conduct research, gather information, and stay current with industry trends and best practices in order to influence change within relevant specialty area
• Exemplifies a strong ability to seek out and learn from feedback, coaching, and new experiences. Proactively adapts to new challenges and leverages learnings to drive innovation and mentor others
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate collaboration across various departments to harness collective creativity and drive innovative solutions. Utilize strong communication skills to effectively convey ideas and lead discussions. Demonstrated impact in cross-functional projects, ensuring alignment and synergy among diverse teams
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements affecting employee benefits programs, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, Section 125, and DOL requirements
• Knowledge of benefits guidelines, including knowledge of self-funding for medical, dental, life, flex, and other benefits), flexible benefit accounts, health reimbursement accounts and health savings accounts
• Working knowledge of commonly used HR concepts, labor laws, and practices required
• Ability to work and maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive/private information

Education, Licenses, and Certifications

Required

• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in related area

Experience

Required

• Four or more years of professional work experience
• Two or more years of experience in full cycle benefits management in a fully self-funded environment

Additional Requirements

Work Context

• Must be able to work prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to work under minimal supervision
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, and crawl
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds
• Must have a US state or territory issued Real ID compliant driver’s license or identification card 

General Requirements

Behaviors and Assessments/Additional Requirements

• All INPO employees are expected to abide by behavioral expectations as outlined in INPO’s Core Values, Team Effectiveness Attributes, and Leadership Effectiveness Attributes
• Employment is dependent upon successfully completing a pre-employment background check and drug and alcohol test
• This position may require obtaining unescorted access status
• This position requires direct or indirect access to certain export-controlled technology, for which INPO may be required to obtain an export license in accordance with applicable U.S. export control laws and regulations.  If an export license is required, any offer of employment at INPO for this position is contingent upon receipt of the export license or authorization