Leave and Benefits Specialist

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

Join us in Reshaping the Future of HR Services at NorthLakes Community Clinic! This new role on the benefits team has been created to support the growing needs of our workforce. We recognize the increasing need to support employees during critical life moments. To ensure our workforce remains supported, engaged, and empowered, we are introducing the Leave and Benefits Specialist role dedicated to managing and enhancing our leave of absence and benefit processes

This role is essential in helping us maintain a seamless experience for employees navigating medical, parental, or personal leave while ensuring our team members have the support they need to thrive.

Annual Salary begins at $58,000 depending on experience based on a 1.0 FTE.

The Leave and Benefits Specialist is responsible for managing employee leave of absence requests and administering employee benefit programs, ensuring compliance with company policies and relevant labor laws. This role involves processing, tracking, and maintaining accurate records of leave types, as well as participating in benefits enrollment, employee inquiries, and vendor coordination.

Reporting to the Benefits Manager, the Leave and Benefits Specialist will manage the day-to-day operations of leave administration and employee benefits programs in compliance with NorthLakes policies, as well as federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Essential Job Functions:

• Administer and process leave requests, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and company leave policies.
• Serve as a point of contact for employees regarding leave eligibility, documentation, and status updates.
• Maintain and update leave records in HR systems, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Coordinate with HR, payroll, and benefits teams to ensure proper documentation, payment adjustments, and benefit continuation during leave periods.
• Provide guidance to employees and managers on leave procedures and policies.
• Monitor leave balances, track intermittent leaves, and generate reports for management review.
• Ensure compliance with FMLA, ADA, STD/LTD, COBRA, and other applicable leave-related or benefit regulations.
• Liaise with third-party administrators and insurance providers for disability claims and workers’ compensation cases.
• Assists in resolving leave-related issues, escalating complex cases as needed.
• Administers employee benefits programs, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan, and wellness initiatives.
• Assists employees with benefits enrollment, claims, and inquiries.
• Coordinates with benefits providers to ensure proper plan administration and compliance.
• Administers the PTO Buy In/Cash Out program for NorthLakes workforce.
• Conducts salary/benefit market surveys, reviews survey results and compiles comparison summaries and trends to help determine competitive wage rates and benefit offerings.
• Assists Benefits Manager with preparation and planning of open enrollment to include communications, testing, training, surveys, and benefit materials.
• Conducts employee benefits presentations, benefits training and orientation sessions to educate management and staff on benefit offerings.
• Responsible for required government compliance reporting (5500 reporting, AAP, and other needs).
• Stay updated on changes in leave-related laws and regulations, updating policies and procedures accordingly.
• Creates and maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to assigned HR functions.
• Maintains current knowledge of legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting human resources functions.
• May assist with EEO-1 reporting, Audits, Multiple Worksite reporting, etc.
• May participate in New Employee Orientation Program as needed.
• Travel to clinic locations as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Associate’s degree in human resources, business administration or a related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of experience in leave administration, employee benefits, or HR-related role.
• SHRM or PHR certification preferred.
• Hybrid Role: This role is primarily remote with at least 2-4 days per month onsite, or as needed.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with HRIS systems and leave tracking software.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 24 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

• Medical and dental insurance
• Employer paid group term life and disability
• Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Leave Bank
• 403(b) with up to a 4% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Tuition reimbursement
• Health and Wellness reimbursement program
• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
• Partner of HRSA/NHSC loan repayment program

Our Mission is to respond to the healthcare needs of our communities with an integrated array of quality services and actively remove barriers to wellness.

NorthLakes Community Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and references.