Benefits Specialist

Purpose of the Job

Participates in the development, analyzing, proposing, implementing and maintaining competitive, cost-effective and legally compliant health and welfare benefit programs. Participates in the development and communication of policies, procedures and programs, as well as ensuring benefit plan payments and reconciliation are timely and accurate. Functions as a liaison between vendors and employees and advises employees on eligibility, coverage and other benefit matters.

Job Functions

1. Supports/answers escalated and complex benefits and leave of absence questions.
2. Provides day-to-day administration as well as provides guidance with leave of absence program
3. Administers and communicate various employee benefit programs to include ongoing written and oral communications, customer service, and vendor liaison, billing investigation, regulatory reporting requirements and COBRA.
4. Coordinates activities of annual benefits renewal and life events processes to include electronic enrollment and educational activities.
5. Responsible for partnering with finance and IT to ensure accurate processing of data files and feeds and resolve data issues as needed.
6. Contributor in the development of benefits plans and programs. Analyzes trends and costs to make implementation recommendations.
7. Participates in RFPs to analyze and recommend vendors. Participates in the ongoing management of vendors including contract review, monitoring performance guarantees analyzing cost trends and ensuring deliverables.
8. Maintain vendor contacts to investigate discrepancies and provide information in benefit situations, researches the situation and provides recommendation on the action plan for resolution.
9. Maintains quality assurance in the benefit programs through internal audits and market.
10. . Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human resources and/or 3+ years of HR experience

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of Federal and State leave(s) regulations, including its amendments and updates.
• Knowledge of various Federal and State laws that govern benefits
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and maintain a high level of professionalism.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships with employees and stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently research and analyze leave-related issues
• Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy and completeness of documentation.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively explain complex information to employee and stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build effective relationships with employees, supervisors, and HR team members.
• Strong customer service skills, with the ability to provide empathetic support to employees during challenging times.
• Ability to meet and maintain the necessary background checks as aligned with position functions.
• Ability to communicate in the English language for effective written and verbal correspondence in order to complete job functions as mentioned above.