Benefits & Leave Specialist

Job Title:  Benefits & Leave Specialist

Department: People & Culture 

FLSA Class: Exempt

Pay Type: Salaried

Job Summary: The Benefits & Leave Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration and coordination of the company’s employee benefits, wellness programs, leave administration, and vendor management. This role provides administrative, analytical, and project support to the Benefits Manager and assists with plan renewals, plan design, compliance activities, and employee communications. 

Essential Job Functions:

Benefits Administration

• Coordinate the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other benefit offerings.
• Process and monitor benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, beneficiary changes, eligibility updates, and other benefit transactions.
• Serve as a primary resource for team member benefit questions and assist with resolving enrollment, eligibility, coverage, and claims-related issues.
• Coordinate with benefit vendors and third-party administrators, including reviewing data, invoices, eligibility files, and reports for accuracy and resolving routine issues.
• Assist with benefit communications, employee education, required notices, open enrollment, and other benefit-related materials.

Leave Administration

• Coordinate and track employee leaves, including FMLA, medical, parental, military, personal, and other applicable leave programs.
• Serve as a resource for team members and leaders regarding leave processes, documentation, timelines, benefit continuation, and return-to-work requirements. 
• Partner with third-party leave administrators, payroll, and P&C Business Partners to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant leave administration.
• Maintain accurate leave records and documentation while supporting compliance with applicable federal and state requirements and company policies.

401(k) & Retirement Plan Administration

• Provide day-to-day administrative support for the company’s 401(k) and retirement programs and serve as a resource for team member questions.
• Assist the Benefits Manager with retirement plan compliance testing, audits, required notices, plan documentation, and review of plan reports and data.

Wellness Program Administration

• Coordinate wellness program administration, including reimbursements, incentives, eligibility, communications, events, vendor coordination, and employee education.
• Support the Benefits Manager with plan renewals, plan design, vendor management, compliance activities, reporting, and implementation of benefit and wellness initiatives

Qualifications:

• 3 – 5 years’ experience in Benefits
• Ability to analyze and assess employees’ needs.
• Must be able to work on multiple projects with high degree of accuracy.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have proficient computer skills.
• Must show attentiveness to detail.
• Must have valid driver’s license and clean MVR.
• Must pass background check and drug screen.

Core Competencies:

• Action Oriented – Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Instills Trust – Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Drives Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Ensures Accountability – Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:  No

Education:

•  Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or related field required

Work Environment:

• Office environment
•  PPE required in specific areas

Physical Requirements:

• Repetitive hand motion (such as typing)
• Hearing, listening, talking
• Sitting, standing, walking, bending
• Lifting up to 50

Travel: No

Safety Sensitive Position:

• No