Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist Job Description

OBJECTIVE: This position handles employee benefit enrollments, changes, payroll assignments and adjustments, accounting and reconciliation of benefit billings, recordkeeping and is the primary point of contact for employees and outside agencies for information related to health insurance, retirement, work injuries and workplace safety. Works independently and under general supervision.

QUALIFICATIONS: AA Degree in Business, Human Resources or related field. Comparable work experience in the field may be substituted for degree on a year-to-year basis. Related education and/or experience with employment laws and regulations preferred. Willingness to learn and increase knowledge in this field. Important skills are the ability to organize around strict timelines, pay strict attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees and agencies. Familiarity with Bristol Bay area, people and cultures. Computer skills required: Computer and office skills. Ability to enter data, manipulate data and create reports in Excel database. Use of finance accounting software.

• Establishing a thorough understanding of, ensuring compliance with related Federal and State laws, and reporting requirements along with internal policies and procedures.

• Acting as a resource to employees regarding retirement planning options through orientations, training workshops, explaining plan documents, researching and working with outside agencies.

• Working with Third Party Administrator (TPA) on maintaining plan documents, ensuring regulatory compliance, payment of BBNA profit share and distribution or rollover requests.

• Working with Plan Advisor to ensure fiduciary responsibilities and employee education needs are met.

• Maintaining retirement records, ensuring all necessary paper and electronic documentation is in order.

• Identifying eligibility for 401k participation and facilitating enrollment at Plan entry dates or upon rehire.

• Processing deferral changes in accordance to Plan rules and entry to HR system.

• Timely deposit of 401k and 403b deductions from payroll in accordance to Plan rules.

• Coordination of 401k Audit Prep and completion.

• Reconciliation of retirement accounts at fiscal year-end.

• Serving as a liaison between employees and benefit carriers by assisting in claim issues, answering benefit questions, researching specific questions and responding both verbally and in writing as necessary.

• Providing employee benefits enrollment orientation.

• Ensuring eligible employees receive enrollment forms, understand how to complete forms and elections are processed within deadlines for health, dental/vision HRA, life & disability and voluntary coverages.

• Working with employees to make benefit changes when a Qualifying Life Event occurs.

• Processing salary changes with life/disability plan and in HR system.

• Entering benefit and deduction assignments in HR system. Making adjustments as needed and reviewing assignments for accuracy prior to the submission of bi-weekly payroll.

• Reconciling monthly benefit billings; processing adjustments in HR system and preparing journal entry forms to be posted to the general ledger.

• Keeping benefit billing spreadsheets up to date with fringe account changes.

• Processing premium payments to plan carriers.

• Processing eligible HRA/TRA reimbursements to employees.

• Coordinating open season for benefits with employees, processing changes in HR system and with plans.

• Reviewing eligibility, sending notices, tracking limits and maintaining records for Family and Medical Leave Act requests.

• Assisting employees with the claim process for short- and long-term disability and life insurance.

• Tracking and processing catch-up payroll deductions of missed employee benefit premiums.

• Ending employee benefits with carriers, in HR system and issuing COBRA/TCC rights at termination.

• Processing and submittal of 1094/1095-c’s for Affordable Care Act reporting of employer sponsored medical offers of coverage.

• Working with the Safety Committee on the joint effort of mitigating risk and keeping a safe workplace.

• Assisting employees, supervisors and WC insurance carrier through the report of injury process; from completing the claim, offsite referrals, return to work recommendations and time loss benefits.

• Ensuring that a designated individual is available at all times to respond to reports of injury.

• Assisting with annual OSHA employer reporting and posting requirements.

• Working with supervisors and employees on any return-to-work accommodations following injury resulting in restriction of duties or missed work.

• Coordinating with Facilities to schedule and evaluate emergency evacuation drills.

• Inspecting rooms to be sure that emergency procedure signs are in place and educating occupants on their responsibilities during an evacuation.

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DUTY STATION: Central Office- Dillingham