Benefits Specialist

SUMMARY

As a Benefits Specialist this individual is responsible for a broad range of activities to support the wider organization. This individual must be able to apply HR best practices aligned with organizational policies and standards. This is a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities, which requires an individual who can maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality while meeting the needs of employees, managers, and the organization. This position's primary functions are generalist benefits administration.

As a Benefits Specialist, this individual will work with the Benefits Manager to provide full Benefits lifecycle support to employees, managers, and leadership. This individual will be responsible for assisting the Benefits Manager with administration of all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and disability programs, leave management programs such as FMLA, short- and long-term disability and 401(k) plans, including employee deferrals, employer match and loan maintenance. This position will also assist with benefit vendor management and HRIS/UKG maintenance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Performs routine tasks required in support of all benefit programs including but not limited to health and welfare benefits, life and disability, leave management, and retirement benefits.

· Assists with benefits administration, open enrollment, and providing information to employees as questions arise.

· Assists the Benefits Manager with administering health, welfare, and other benefits programs by determining eligibility, completing enrollments and life event changes, communicating to employees and vendors, coordinating with payroll where needed, completing and submitting claim forms, assisting

employees in resolving claim issues and ensuring compliance and all other benefits related processes.

· Assists with the design, recommendation, and implementation of benefits programs.

· Documents and maintains administrative procedures for assigned benefit processes.

· Develops and implements effective and easy to understand benefits resources for employee use.

· Develops an excellent working knowledge of the employee benefits guide, employee handbook and effectively administers new and modified policies/procedures.

· Assists with FMLA/ADA/STD/LTD administration.

· Assist with new hire orientation and new hire benefit enrollment.

· Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.

· Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, benefits compliance, and employment law.

· Work as the primary point of contact on special projects as needed.

· Acts as liaison with accounting for benefits matters relating to invoicing, account set up or other fiscal obligations.

· Maintains 401(k) Employee Deferrals, Employer Match, and Loans.

· Writes and revises, as needed, Benefits Audit Procedures, and maintains a current manual/binder of these procedures.

· Receives and tracks HR Benefit Premium Payments from Retirees.

· Maintains benefit files housed in our HRIS/UKG system.

· Assembles and maintains binders for all benefit plans, as necessary.

· Assist with benefit compliance audits, including retirement plan audits.

· Please note this position description is not designed to cover all or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

· Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Must be able to build relationships, trust, and communicate at multiple levels of the organization.

· Proven organizational skills and ability to successfully manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

· Highly organized

· Team worker

· Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Power Point, Excel)

· UKG experience a plus.

· Ability to work in a collaborative, matrixed team environment.

· Excellent communication (both oral and written) and interpersonal skills.

· Ability to prioritize workload and self-manage projects, handle multiple tasks, and meet strict deadlines.

· Thrives in a high-pressure, ambiguous environment and is able to manage multiple simultaneous priorities.

· Strong grasp of Federal & State Employment Laws.

· Strong business and HR acumen, including strong creative problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and analysis.

· Strong attention to detail and discretion.

· Knowledge of analysis and reporting tools (BI/Dashboard).

· Strong internal and external customer service focus.

· Always maintain confidentiality.

· Strong work ethic with the ability to adapt in a fast-paced and complex work environment.

· High level of accountability and ownership of responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor’s degree in human resources management or related field required.

· 2 years of human resources experience required. Benefits Administration experience preferred.

· Ability to use resources effectively and propose logical solutions.

· Strong customer services skills.

· Ability to work in a timely, organized fashion, with strong attention to detail.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision for computer work and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities