The Employee Benefits and Data Analytical Specialist is responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of group benefits program (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, worker's compensation, life insurance, limited flexible spending plan, retirement plans, etc.), leave administration and employee engagement efforts. They will oversee and administer leave requests and accommodations requiring specialized attention, particularly those arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local leave laws, and short-term or long-term disability plans. This role also will be responsible for gathering and cleaning data to uncover trends, correlations, patterns, and business insights. They will be responsible for using their knowledge of data processing and business development strategies to provide sound business recommendations.

• Bachelor’s degree is Human Resources, or related field and a minimum of 2 years’ experience required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Experience with Benefit Selection. Excellent oral and written communication skills, presentation skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Thorough understanding of local, state, and federal laws involving employment, HR, and HR policies.
• Proficient with or the ability to quickly learn the organization's HRIS, payroll, and similar employee management software.

Benefits Administration 80%

• Administer various employee benefits programs, including group health, flexible spending accounts, dental and vision, accident and disability, life insurance, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, and wellness benefits, and assist employees with benefit claims.
• Conduct benefits orientations, explain benefits self-enrollment system, engage with employees to ensure they are maximizing their benefits.
• Maintain employee benefits filing systems and ensure benefits changes are entered appropriately in payroll system for payroll deduction.
• Verify the calculation of the monthly premium statements for all group insurance policies and maintain statistical data relative to premiums, claims and costs. Resolve administrative problems with the carrier representatives.
• Ensure COBRA administration complies with regulations.
• Review and respond to unemployment claims with appropriate documentation and review monthly unemployment statements.
• Support Risk Management Department with workers' compensation claims.
• Assist in obtaining statistics and information in renewal process of any health, life and any other plans that benefit the company.
• Complete all benefits reporting requirements.
• Ensures that employees are aware of their responsibilities and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave.
• Handles the FMLA leave administration process from the employee’s initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work. This includes gathering and completing all required paperwork, determining leave eligibility, designating leave as FMLA-qualifying, requesting medical certification as needed, and accounting for intermittent and reduced schedule leave use.
• Maintains reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; relays communication between employees and their managers during leave within reason.
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers’ compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits.
• Oversees the return-to-work process for employees returning from extended FMLA, workers’ compensation, or other leave(s).
• Facilitates other leave requests, which may include accommodation requests under the ADA.
• Administers other company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy and applicable laws.
• Drafts and/or recommends revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices.
Maintain and grow relationships with key wellness vendors. Conduct program evaluations and quarterly reviews.

Data Analytics 20%

• Collects and compiles HR metrics and data from a variety of sources including the human resource information system (HRIS) and payroll outputs, management and employee surveys, exit interviews, employment records, government labor statistics, competitors practices, and other sources.
• Analyzes data and statistics for trends and patterns with attention to recruitment, hiring practices, motivation, turnover, and compliance with employment laws and regulations.
• Prepares reports of data results, presenting and explaining findings to senior leadership.
• Identifies and recommends reasonable short- and long-term goals, milestones, and benchmarks for key performance metrics.
• Based on metrics and analysis, makes recommendations for policies and activities to improve the organizational culture including suggestions to attract and hire qualified candidates, to motivate and retain employees, to address staffing issues, and to maintain legal compliance.
• Facilitates implementation of new training, development, recruiting, and other related initiatives.
• May conduct or assist with conducting classification audits to ensure that jobs are properly classified as exempt or nonexempt.
• Ensures compliance with data privacy regulations and best practices.
• May assist HR leadership with staffing, recruiting, and departmental budgets.
• May guide and/or assist with performance, benefit, and compensation review and evaluation processes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.