HR Specialist - Benefits

Position Overview

The HR Specialist – Benefits is responsible for managing and administering employee benefits programs, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations, and providing guidance to employees on benefits options. This role plays a key part in enhancing employee satisfaction and retention by overseeing health insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, and other benefits offerings. This role is also responsible for supporting employees with benefits inquiries, issues, and concerns.

Key Responsibilities (Essential Duties and Functions)

• Performs benefit administration to include new hire enrollment, termination of employment, annual open enrollment, claims resolution, change reporting, and COBRA administration.
• Oversees benefit leave programs and coordinates leaves of absences under FMLA, ADA and Workers Compensation claims.
• Establishes and maintains employee benefit records and conducts updates as necessary.
• Ensures timely enrollment, changes, and terminations of benefits for employees.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits-related inquiries, resolving employee concerns and providing education on available options.
• Answer employee questions regarding eligibility, coverage, and policies in a timely manner.
• Administer and provide guidance to employees, managers and retirees for one or more of the following programs and processes: FMLA, short-term disability, long-term disability, military LOA, life insurance evidence of insurability, HSA funding, COBRA, summary plan descriptions, health insurance plan billing, retiree health insurance premium billing, death benefits, beneficiary maintenance, life events, dependent eligibility auditing, qualified medical support orders and new hire benefits orientation.
• Collaborate with the Human Resources Director, and other members of the HR Department, regarding employee communications, execution of benefit changes, and new and innovative suggestions to promote employee mental, physical, and emotional health.
• Executes ongoing administration of HRIS benefits portal.
• Audits weekly benefit deductions and updates payroll system as necessary.
• Oversee the administration of the 401(k) plan, including auto-enrollment processes, compliance with IRS regulations, and employee education.
• Ensure new hires are automatically enrolled in the 401(k) upon meeting eligibility requirements.
• Assist employees with contribution changes, rollovers, and withdrawals while ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Ensure weekly 401k contributions are reported and submitted timely.
• Assists employees with HSA enrollment and necessary updates throughout plan year.
• Ensure weekly HSA contributions are reported and submitted timely.
• Responsible for managing Basic Life, STD and LTD calculations on a monthly basis or as an individual terminates employment.
• Responsible for annual ACA reporting and processing.
• Coordinates and submits timely payments of monthly premiums and other benefit vendor payments.
• Partner with supervisor on escalated employee issues and requests as needed.
• Maintain an awareness of compliance with all state and federal regulations such as COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA and ERISA.
• Other duties as may be assigned.
• Regular and predictable attendance at assigned times is required.

Benefits Offered

• Highly competitive base pay.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance programs.
• Group retirement savings program.
• Health and wellness programs.
• Accrual Based PTO – Start earning PTO on your first day!
• Paid Holidays.