What are the responsibilities and job description for the Benefits Specialist position at Gila River Resorts & Casinos?
Salary: DOE
Position Close Date: April 1st, 2025 at 4:00PM
Benefits Administration
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Position Close Date: April 1st, 2025 at 4:00PM
Benefits Administration
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Administer and manage employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives.
- Process enrollments, terminations, and employee changes while ensuring accuracy and compliance with plan requirements.
- Assist in benefits-related employee communications, including open enrollment planning and execution, benefit education sessions, and new hire orientation materials.
- Work closely with vendors and third-party administrators to resolve benefits-related issues and provide timely responses to employee inquiries.
- Conduct regular audits of benefits records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Support compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to ACA reporting, COBRA notifications, and ERISA guidelines.
- Oversee and manage FMLA, ADA, short-term disability, long-term disability, workers’ compensation, and personal leaves of absence.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employees, managers, and HR representatives regarding leave eligibility, processes, and accommodations.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and tribal leave laws, maintaining accurate leave documentation and records.
- Partner with HR, payroll, and legal teams to facilitate return-to-work processes, reasonable accommodations, and leave tracking.
- Provide training and guidance to managers regarding leave policies, ADA accommodations, and best practices for supporting employees on leave.
- Analyze benefits utilization trends, costs, and employee participation to provide recommendations for improvements and cost-saving opportunities.
- Maintain accurate HRIS benefits data, ensuring proper documentation and reporting for audits and compliance purposes.
- Generate and analyze reports related to benefits costs, leave trends, and workforce planning.
- Stay updated on changes in federal, state, and tribal employment laws that may impact benefits and leave policies, making recommendations for updates as necessary.
- Provide direct employee support for benefit plan inquiries, claims assistance, and leave administration.
- Develop and deliver educational resources, including FAQs, guides, and presentations, to enhance employee understanding of benefits and leave programs.
- Collaborate with HR leadership to improve benefits offerings and increase employee engagement in wellness and benefits programs.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in HR, benefits administration, or leave management.
- Strong knowledge of leave administration processes, compliance requirements, and benefits regulations.
- Advanced proficiency in HRIS platforms, Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and reporting tools), and data analysis.
- Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and provide insights for decision-making.
- Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills with high attention to detail.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information with discretion.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.
- HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS) preferred.
- Experience working with benefits vendors and third-party administrators.
- Familiarity with self-funded benefit plans and wellness program initiatives.
- Understanding of tribal law and its impact on employee benefits and leave policies is a plus.
- Experience working in tribal organizations, gaming, healthcare, or hospitality industries is preferred.
