Benefits Administrator

Under general direction, the Benefits Administrator position is responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of group benefits programs (Group Health, Dental, Vision, Short-term and long-term disability, Workers Compensation, Life Insurance, travel and accident plan, flexible spending plan, 401(k) plan and retirement plan). The benefits administrator also provides excellent customer service and quality benefits plans, investigates new benefits programs, improves existing programs, and supervises and monitors benefits administration as well as designs employee benefits plans and provides analytical and technical support in the delivery of the benefits programs in conjunction with the HRIS System.

Essential Functions:

Communicate with peers, colleagues, and other business partners in person at trainings, meetings, and sessions.
Establish and manage PTO, Vacation, and Personal Time programs in the HRIS system inclusive of the development of workflows, rules, and permissions.
Manage Retirement Benefits Program: 403 B & 401K
Manage vendor relationships
Develop Standard Operating Procedures for the administration, reconciliation, and Quality Assurance of all agency-wide benefits
Demonstrate Intermediate skills related to navigating HRIS System. Serving as back-up Security Master.
Design, Build Benefit Suite inclusive of medical, dental, vision, retirement, other ancillary benefits.
Must be proficient using Google Platform and products.
Create a process for COBRA Administration inclusive of vendor management, portals, and manager training.
Serves as point of contact for compliance testing and ERISA guidelines.
Manages the Leave of Absence process inclusive of communication, state portals, extension of benefits, ADA accommodations, and financial procedures.
Develops procedures to ensure all bills, invoices are reconciled and paid on time as stipulated.
Manages Workers Compensation Program and work collaboratively with colleagues to support State Safety Programs
Serves as main point of contact for all OSHA related inquires and recordkeeping.
Support Labor Relations inclusive of bargaining and/or negotiations.
Oversees maintenance of employee benefits files and updating of employee personnel change records through file maintenance and within the HRIS Work Force Now system.
Perform regular audits of HRIS system for appropriate Staff Benefit classification/set up.
Respond to employee inquiries through HRIS system re: benefit issues
Must be able to drive when needed to various locations throughout Southern and Western Connecticut
Participates in training as required.
Works collaboratively with HR team to facilitate New Hire Orientation and other onboarding programs.
Design, develop, and facilitate Benefits related trainings for staff and managers.
Implements and maintains group benefits databases and HRIS WFN benefit records. Prepares regular benefits reports extracting data from the database. Provides the technical support, test system functionality and work with end users to provide system support and troubleshoot system problems.

Customer Service, Communication, Training

Provides customer service support to internal and external customers.
Develops communication tools to enhance understanding of the companys benefits package.
Designs and distributes materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions.
Creates and conducts presentations using audiovisual tools, including PowerPoint and videos.
Provides training and support to group benefits associates
Health and Safety committee
Leads wellness campaigns
Leads the planning, coordination and execution of open enrollment
Ensuring company compliance with State and Federal regulation requirements
Other duties as assigned.
Competencies
Human Resources Capacity
Strategic Thinking
Results Driven

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.

This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust

• Three to five years in benefits or related benefits administration, HR Certification a plus.
• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Google Platform.
• Demonstrated Ability with the Paycom system a plus. Experience with ADP, Ripling, NetSuite, Paylocity, or Ceridian will be considered.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates. Capability of effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs. Ability to understand, evaluate and assist with future proposals (RFPs).
• Knowledge of benefits contract language.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers compensation, Medicare, COBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Bargaining Unit experience a plus
• Excellent communication and organization skills.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.