Bilingual Benefits Specialist

Job Summary:

A Benefits, Workers' Comp, and Leave of Absence Specialist efficiently manages employee-qualified leave of absence programs such as sick leave, accident leave, military leave, short—and long-term disability, and FMLA; ensures compliance with workers' compensation laws; coordinates post-accident medical treatment and drug screening; and facilitates a smooth return-to-work process, ultimately minimizing disruption to the workplace and potential legal liabilities. 

Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations.Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
• Coordinate daily benefits processing and questions.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Maintain the accuracy of monthly billings and review quarterly.
• Audit the accuracy and performance of functions performed by benefits staff.
• Perform plan audits. Prepare, collect and organize data for actuarial assessments. Review data in conjunction with actuarial evaluation task forces.
• Review both short- and long-range cost estimates/projections and relevant statistical analyzes regarding modifications in benefits programs and implementation of new programs.
• Work with the benefits broker to complete benefits surveys and review information obtained from the results.
• Provide customer service support to internal and external customers. Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the company's benefits package.
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions. Provide training and support to office associates and the field staff.
• Expertly file and reviews and processes workers' compensation claims to ensure accuracy and compliance with state regulations, identifying potential issues early on.
• Acts as a liaison between injured employees, healthcare providers, and insurance adjusters, keeping all parties informed about claim status and necessary steps. 
• Communicate claim status updates to employees, supervisors, and other stakeholders. 
• Manage a caseload of claims, tracking progress and identifying potential issues. 
• Facilitate return-to-work programs and modified duty assignments. 
• Maintain accurate documentation and records of all claims. 
• Ensure compliance with state workers' compensation laws and regulations. 
• Generate reports on claim trends and costs for management review. 
• Receive and review employee leave of absence requests, verifying eligibility based on company policies and applicable laws. 
• Request and review necessary medical documentation to support leave requests, including physician's notes and disability certifications. 
• Inform employees about their leave eligibility, required documentation, and return-to-work expectations; keep managers updated on employee leave status. 
• Accurately track leave usage, monitor leave balances, and maintain detailed employee leave files. 
• Ensure adherence to all federal and state regulations regarding leave of absence, including FMLA, ADA, and state family leave laws. 
• Facilitate the return-to-work process for employees returning from leave, including coordinating with managers to discuss potential accommodations if needed. 
• Provide guidance to employees and managers on interpreting leave policies and procedures. 
• May assist with managing employee accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
• Generate reports on leave usage trends and identify potential areas for policy improvement. 
• Communicating with employees regarding their leave status, benefits, and return-to-work options.
• Collaborating with HR to ensure compliance with company policies and state regulations. 

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong understanding of federal and state leave laws, particularly FMLA and ADA.
• Strong understanding of workers' compensation laws and regulations
• Strong understanding of benefits administration. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact to interact with various stakeholders to explain complex benefit information to employees at all levels clearly. 
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills to maintain accurate records and manage multiple leave requests.
• Proficiency in HR systems and data management tools. Experience with Workday desirable.
• Ability to analyze information and make informed decisions regarding leave eligibility, return to work, job accommodation.
• Provide excellent support to employees regarding their questions and concerns. 
• Confidentiality to handle sensitive employee medical information.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years’ experience administering benefits, workers compensation and leave of absence required.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or other related fields preferred.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Proficiency with Workday or the ability to quickly learn the organiza​tion’s HRIS and talent management systems.

• Bi-lingual (English-Spanish).

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.
• Must be able to walk the production floor.