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

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 3 years of experience in benefits administration, HR, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of benefits laws and regulations, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, and HIPAA.
• Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems (e.g., Paylocity, Bswfit, Principal, Fidelity).
• Experience in a construction environment preferred.
• Bilingual abilities are a plus.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft products (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook).
• Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures.
• Ability to read, write, and accurately perform basic mathematical functions including adding, subtracting, multiplication and division.
• Ability to analyze issues independently.
• Ability to perform under deadline pressure.
• Knowledge of benefits contract language.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Must possess knowledge of Company policies and procedures, including safety.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filling and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers’ compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Must consistently produce an efficient, accurate work product.

Work Requirements

• Must pass post-offer employment drug screen, background check, and motor vehicle record (MVR) review.
• Must have a current and valid driver’s license.
• Display a professional and courteous attitude to co-workers, supervisors, and the general public at all times.
• Willingness to work in a team environment and assist co-workers and/or supervisors with other duties as required.
• Must be willing to travel and work away from home when required, particularly during fall open enrollment.
• Must be willing to work nights and weekends during peak periods, when additional availability may be necessary.
• Individuals are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in designated operations and production areas as stated by OSHA and/or MSHA.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Able to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to manipulate objects, talk and hear.
• Vision abilities (with correction) include close, distance, peripheral, depth, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently required to sit and use hands.
• Frequently required to stand and walk for extended periods of time.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standard office environment.
• Tempo is fast paced with deadlines.
• The noise level in the work environment may be moderate.

The statements included in this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Other duties may be assigned as required. Requirements for this job are subject to modification by the Company and its designees, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.