Our Mission

“Preparing Our Community to Meet Life’s challenges.”

We help everyone who comes to our door with resources for both immediate needs and long-term goals. 

Our network of programs, services, and experiences strengthen individuals, families, and communities and provides opportunities for growth and economic stability. 

Come join our team!

When you become an employee at the Community Renewal Team (CRT), you will join a host of others with an average tenure of nine years of service.  Some of our employees have celebrated more than twenty years of service.  You’ll participate in fun activities, themed- employee appreciation events, organization sponsored golf tournaments, etc.   We celebrate the accomplishments of employees using our Wall of Excellence highlighting employees of the month. Opportunities to grow within the organization are plentiful.  Most of our employees started in entry level positions and have been promoted throughout their career.  

BENEFITS                                                                                     

401K with a matching employer contribution, medical, dental, vision, HSA Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability (STD)/Long- Term Disability (LTD), and an Employee Assistance Program. Eligible employees are also able to participate in agency sponsored educational opportunities.  Eligible employees receive ten paid vacation days, six sick paid days annually, and two personal days paid annually.   

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:   Benefits Administrator 

DEPARTMENT:       Human Resources

FLSA STATUS:         Exempt

REPORTS TO:          Director of Human Resources

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of this position is to serve as subject matter expert in all areas of benefit service delivery, compliance, leave management including FMLA and administration, Worker’s Compensation, OSHA reporting and specialized benefits related projects. Administers employee benefits and wellness programs and oversee leave management.  Employee benefits may include health, dental, life and disability insurances, retirement and/or 401(k) plans, EAP, and worker’s compensation.  

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Requires in-person communication with colleagues, business partners, and employees.
• Serve as the Subject Matter expert applying in-depth knowledge of the State of CT paid leave program, Federal FMLA, ADA, Medical Insurance, 401K, and Workers Compensation programs.
• Serve as the main point of contact regarding complex, escalated benefits, insurance issues. 
• Participate in formulating annual health and welfare benefits strategy, planning, coordination, and implementation.
• Lead project coordinator for annual plan open enrollment, implementation, and other deliverables
• Administer all benefits programs such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, STD, LTD, and any other benefit offerings.
• Process associate enrollments, qualifying life events,  and changes for all benefit programs.

• Manage relationships with HRIS and Insurance carriers.
• Supervise College Work Study and interns. 
• COBRA administration and coordination for employees losing benefit coverage.
• ACA monthly monitoring and compliance.

• Administer the group life, dependent life, and group insurance programs. Answer associate questions and process benefit claims in coordination with the insurance carriers. 
• Administration of FMLA requests and re-certifications for continual and/or intermittent leave, update spreadsheet, communicate with HR Generalist, payroll, and employee’s manager.
• Administration of ADA requests for continual and/or intermittent leave, update spreadsheet, communicate with HR Generalist, payroll, and employee’s manager.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations including those related to FMLA, ADA, and ERISA.
• Manage work-related safety Programs inclusive of Workers Compensation, OSHA recordables, communicate with insurance carriers and provide training and support to managers and employees. 
• Provide HR Generalist support to small group/division – recruiting, employee relations, and training. 
• Process enrollments, status changes and review claims.
• Billing reconciliation for all health and welfare plans to ensure timely and accurate payment.
• Daily administration of benefits and 401(k) plans (enrollments, loans and distributions); serve as liaison between providers and employees; answer, research and respond to benefit inquiries. Pension & Roth programs. 
• Work with carrier reps to resolve complex benefit issues such as eligibility discrepancies, claim payments, HSA/COBRA administration transactions and benefit plan interpretations.
• Responds to notifications from state and regulatory agencies.

• Maintains effective working relationships with other staff. Liaise with external brokers, vendors, and service providers.

• Develop and maintain benefits documentation and files both electronically and in paper format including employee files, contracts, plan documents, summary plan descriptions and other required notices and communications. 
• Perform regular audits of files and records to ensure accuracy in enrollment.
• Attend the Human Resource Board of Directors Meeting and prepare minutes.
• Ensures that the work area is clean, secure, and well-maintained.
• Annual archiving or more frequently if needed in compliance with records retention policy.
• Maintain employer records and lead digitization efforts. 
• Coverage of Front Desk (backup).
• Work requirements and job description may change, be reassigned, or delegated per departmental needs.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Education: High School Diploma required.  Bachelor’s degree with course work emphasis in Human Resources Management or Business Administration, or related field preferred.  

Minimum Years of Experience: Minimum of five – seven years of progressively responsible human resources administration experience that provides broad knowledge of benefits; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Experience working with HRIS systems and Microsoft applications required. 

Demonstrated Skills: Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision and to exercise sound independent judgment. Good interpersonal skills. Ability to relate to people with courtesy and tact. Strong organizational skills. Ability to manage time efficiently and to set appropriate priorities. Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills. 

Knowledge: Knowledge of Federal, state, and local laws pertaining to personnel administration and various compensation and benefit plans and practices. Sound understanding of practices and procedures specific to Human Resources. Knowledge of life, health, and disability insurance principles. 

Must have the ability to:

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Speak effectively before groups of employees and respond to questions.
• Read professional periodicals and journals, procedures and government regulations.
• Effectively and efficiently provide customer service.
• Handle stressful situations in a professional manner, including angry or difficult individuals.
• Interpret a variety of written and verbal instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.
• File various forms of paperwork in alpha and numeric filing systems.
• Apply Federal, state and local laws pertaining to personnel administration and various compensation and benefit plans and practices.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers supervisors, other Departments/Offices, and other agencies.
• Use appropriate resources to solve problems.
• Work independently.
• Understand and practice safety procedures and precautions.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks involve sedentary to light work, involving some reaching, handling, fingering and/or feeling of objects and materials. Must be able to push, pull, and lift 15lbs.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability.

Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.