Benefits Operations Specialist

Job description:

About Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC):

Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) is a nonprofit organization serving children and families across Oregon through early education and family support programs. At OCDC, our work has purpose. Every role contributes to creating stronger families, healthier communities, and brighter futures for children across Oregon.

Position Summary: The Benefits Operations Specialist manages the day-to-day administration of employee benefits and retirement programs, ensuring compliance, smooth enrollment, and accurate payroll integration. The role serves as are the first point of contact, offering expert support and ensuring that all interactions reflect OCDC’s core values. As an integral part of the Total Rewards team, the Specialist plays a key role in partnering the Total Rewards leadership team on benefits and retirement plan design and market benchmarking, managing and reconciling data and billings, identifies areas of improvement, and manages vendor relationships. Additionally, the Specialist manages the administration and education of employee benefits programs, including enrollment, changes, new hires, and separations. This role also involves ensuring accurate benefits databases, auditing, preparing reports, and conducting data analysis.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for high volume multi-plan vendor billing and COBRA administration by reviewing and reconciling for accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and processing through Finance to ensure timely payment.
• Ensure all benefits and retirement programs comply with applicable federal state and or local laws and regulations including ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, plan documents, and applicable IRS codes.
• Ensures up-to-date and accurate records in HR systems for all employee benefits and retirement programs by managing standard procedures, conducting audits, investigating irregularities, and recommending and making minor to moderate corrections and improvements to ensure data integrity and compliance with all applicable regulations and internal policies.
• Review benefit deductions and benefits contributions for accuracy and work with internal and external teams (i.e. payroll, county teams, vendors, etc.) to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Provide exceptional customer service, education, training, and technical assistance within service area by partnering with internal and stakeholders; escalating complex issues as needed.
• Manage audits and budgets, prepare and analyze routine reports and communicate metrics and trends to stakeholders and leadership.
• Lead key components and milestones of enrollment activities including plan design and benchmarking, planning, scheduling, communications, logistics, and data management with stakeholders, brokers, and vendors to ensure a seamless employee experience.
• Manage and distribute benefits and retirement communications such as email announcements, information sessions, and regular updates to keep employees and leadership well-informed.
• Stay current on federal, state, and local benefits regulatory changes and recommend process or program updates to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Performs additional duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational priorities.

(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Pay Range:

• The pay range for this position is $68,000 to $85,000 hourly/annually.
• Placement within the range is determined by factors such as relevant experience, skills, certifications, and internal equity.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree. Preferably in accounting, human resource management, business administration, or related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant work experience.

(or equivalent combination of education and experience)

Certifications:

• Preferred: Benefits-related certification such as CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist).

Technical & Functional Competencies:

• Apply working knowledge of health and wellness, and retirement programs, including eligibility rules, plan structures, and regulatory requirements to include ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, Safe Harbor, and data privacy requirements.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems (e.g., Workday), including the ability to ensure system accuracy through critical analysis.
• Generate, analyze, and interpret enrollment, participation, and financial reports, using insights to identify trends and support decision‑making.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain benefit concepts clearly, empathetically, and in a way that supports employee understanding and decision‑making.
• Diagnose root causes, evaluate options, and recommend and implement improvements to processes or procedures.
• General Accounts Payable and audit skills, including the ability to perform multi‑plan billing reconciliations, identify discrepancies, and recommend corrective actions.

OCDC Core Competencies:

• All Staff: Focuses On Children & Families, Collaborates with Others, Demonstrates Nimble Learning, Ensures Accountability.

Benefits:

At OCDC, employee wellbeing is a priority and an essential part of supporting our mission and communities. OCDC offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial wellbeing, and work–life balance. Eligible employees (20 hours/week) may receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Paid time off, sick leave, holidays, and paid leave programs
• Employer paid life and disability coverage, with voluntary options available
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources
• Optional benefits including pet insurance

Other:

• Successful enrollment in Oregon’s Central Background Registry (CBR) through the OR Dept. of Early Learning and Care.
• Ability to pass a sponsored physical examination and communicable disease assessment.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

OCDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

OCDC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation. If you need an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please let us know.