WHO WE ARE:

Makai HR is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) started in 2018. We provide local businesses with outsourced HR solutions so that our customers can dedicate their full attention to running their businesses. We are committed to supporting Hawaii’s business community with reliable, cost-effective HR solutions.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

The Benefits Specialist works with the Benefits Team to support the overall day-to-day operations of group benefit programs (health and welfare plans and retirement 401 (K) plan) to ensure compliance with company policies and federal and state regulations. This employee will be responsible for providing outstanding customer service and administering the benefit programs in a highly distributed, complex, and fast-paced environment. This is a remote role, but the benefit specialist will need to work M-F 8a-5p HST. 

THIS ROLE WILL CONTRIBUTE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

• Provide excellent customer service by responding to all employee and client benefit inquiries in a timely and accurate manner as the first point of contact for external inquiries (email/phone)

• Respond to employee questions related to claims issues, plan eligibility, life event changes and assist with new-client/new-hire orientations

• Researches and resolves moderately complex product and service issues from the field, and employees to maintain accurate and timely responses.

• Documents information in CRM (customer relationship manager) to track issues while utilizing all necessary systems and resources

• Ability to diffuse employee or client concerns, notifies management of critical situations, and ensures the best solution is implemented for all employees

• Work closely with other departments and vendors to ensure accuracy of benefits enrollments and payroll deductions; resolve issues with vendors; perform routine audits to ensure accuracy and resolve any discrepancies

• Assist with annual open enrollment period including preparation and distribution of materials, drafting communications, coordinating employee meetings, configuring and testing enrollment tool

• Perform scheduled and routine quality checks of benefits-related data and assist with the response to internal and external audits

• Meet productivity goals and quality standards as set by management

• Collaborate with internal benefits team to identify areas for process improvements

• Other tasks as needed

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED:

• Minimum of 2 years experience in HR and/or benefits administration

• Prior Customer Service experience

• Adhere to and exemplify our Core Values: 

• We’ve got this
• Solutions not problems
• Time Matters
• Clients Matter
• Avoid Drama

• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations affecting employee benefit programs, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, Section 125, Social Security and DOL requirements

• Ability to work with sensitive and confidential data with a demonstrated practice of maintaining employee confidentiality and HIPAA compliance requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to collaborate and, employees, clients, team members, and vendors

• Exceptional attention to detail

• Strong time-management, organizational, and prioritization abilities within a remote work environment

• Ability to take the initiative, use sound judgment and problem-solve

• Must be able to manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously within inflexible time frames

• Proven ability to serve and work dynamically across all levels of an organization

• Strong computer literacy, especially Word and Excel

• Experience with HR databases preferred

ABOUT US:

We provide competitive compensation packages which include 100% paid employee health care, paid time off, 401k with match, parental leave and a flexible, collaborative work culture. We are currently looking for talented, passionate, team-oriented professionals to join our 'ohana.

Makai HR provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.