The Benefits Specialist supports the day-to-day administration of the Company's health and welfare, retirement, leave-related, and other employee benefit programs. Working closely with the Benefits Manager, this role serves as a primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries; processes enrollments and qualifying life event changes; coordinates with vendors, brokers, payroll, and internal stakeholders; maintains accurate benefit records; supports regulatory compliance; and assists with employee education and communications. The Benefits Specialist helps deliver accurate, responsive, and positive benefits experience for employees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, providing guidance on eligibility, enrollment, plan provisions, and available resources.
- Administer the Company's health and welfare, retirement, leave-related, and voluntary benefit programs.
- Process benefit enrollments, life event changes, beneficiary updates, terminations, COBRA administration, and other benefit transactions.
- Maintain accurate benefit records within HRIS and vendor systems; conduct audits and reconciliations to ensure data integrity and compliance.
- Partner with benefit providers, brokers, payroll, and internal stakeholders to resolve enrollment, eligibility, billing, and claims-related issues.
- Review and reconcile benefit invoices, reports, and eligibility files to ensure accurate processing and payment.
- Support annual open enrollment activities, including planning, employee communications, system testing, presentations, and enrollment administration.
- Develop and distribute benefit-related communications, educational materials, and wellness program information.
- Assist with benefits-related audits, reporting, record retention, regulatory filings, and compliance activities in accordance with applicable laws and company procedures.
- Generate reports, metrics, and analyses to support administration, compliance, audits, and management decision-making.
- Participate in benefits and wellness initiatives, special projects, and other duties as assigned.
- Travel periodically to support benefit-related meetings, events, and annual open enrollment activities.
Qualifications and Skills
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.
- Three (3) or more years of experience in benefits administration, human resources, or a related field.
- Working knowledge of employee benefit programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement plans, leave programs, and open enrollment processes.
- Familiarity with benefit-related regulations, including COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, and FMLA.
- Experience using HRIS, benefits administration, and payroll systems preferred.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
- Strong customer service, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage confidential information and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and maintain a clean driving record, as this position requires occasional travel for company business. Candidates should be comfortable operating a vehicle as part of their job responsibilities and must meet any applicable company and insurance requirements.
Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k), flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, employee referral incentives, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and other company-sponsored programs.
Qualified Applicants must be legally authorized for employment in the United States. Qualified Applicants will not require employer sponsored work authorization now or in the future for employment in the United States.
We believe in transparency and providing candidates with important information to make informed decisions. The salary range for this position is commensurate with experience, qualifications, and location. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to skills, experience, and relevant qualifications.
This range represents the base salary and does not include other forms of compensation, such as bonuses, benefits, or equity, which may be offered in addition to the base pay. The company reserves the right to modify compensation ranges at any time in accordance with business needs and market conditions.