What are the responsibilities and job description for the Benefits Specialist position at Western States Equipment?
Safety
Benefits Program Administration
- Actively cares, promotes, manages, and advocates safety at Western States. As a leader and team member in the organization, it is critical to ensure all employees, vendors, and clients have a safe work environment while adhering to all applicable safety policies, procedures and standards.
- Maintains clean/clutter free work areas to ensure safe environments for all WSECO employees.
- Adheres to required personal protective equipment (PPE) as identified in safety policy.
- Convey Warmth and Empathy – Acknowledge customers and greet everyone with an authentic smile.
- Actively Listen – Give your full attention, make eye contact, avoid interrupting, and ask clarifying questions.
- Build Trust – Take ownership, act with urgency, and follow through on commitments.
- Say Thank you – Express genuine appreciation for effort, feedback, and collaboration.
Benefits Program Administration
- Responsible for the day-to-day administration of employee benefits program which includes health insurance, 401K, health savings accounts, Life, AD&D, optional employee coverage, and more.
- Assists Parent and Sister companies with benefits questions and needs, and open enrollment activities on an as-needed basis.
- Works with vendors to understand benefits and help to resolve employee issues.
- Assists in daily management of benefit programs, including enrollments, terminations, and life event changes.
- Reconciles and approves vendor invoices and sends to finance for payment.
- Manages and monitors COBRA program to ensure compliance and timely communication to eligible past employees.
- Assists with various benefits reporting and analysis such as benefits utilization.
- Collaborates with Employee Experience & Wellness Manager on wellness program and initiatives.
- Assists with annual open enrollment process and help conduct open enrollment meetings.
- Creates employee benefits communication and awareness campaigns.
- Maintains accurate benefits records and prepare required compliance reports.
- Regularly monitors and audits vendor file feeds to ensure accuracy of data transfer.
- Ensures adherence to federal and state regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong detail orientation and multitasking skills required.
- Proficiency in various Microsoft suite products and HRIS systems.
- Ability to travel on an occasional but not regular basis for open enrollment or other benefits meetings, potential for overnight stay, less than 5%.
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Equivalent experience accepted.
- Minimum of three years administering benefits programs. Self-funded programs preferred.
- Minimum of three years supporting employees with benefits inquiries, researching claims, and partnering with vendors to resolve employee concerns.
- Minimum one year experience with HRIS systems, reporting and configuration in relations to benefits strongly preferred.
- Must be able to communicate (speak, read, comprehend, write in English).
- Must be able to sit for long periods along with walking, standing, climbing stairs, reaching pushing, pulling, leaning and twisting.
- Able to lift up to 30 lbs. in accordance with Western States’ Lifting Safe Work Practice to include amount and approach.
- Must be able to meet all safety requirements for applicable safety policies.