Benefits Specialist

Safety

• Actively cares, promotes, manages, and advocates safety at Western States.  As a leader and team member in the organization, it is critical to ensure all employees, vendors, and clients have a safe work environment while adhering to all applicable safety policies, procedures and standards.
• Maintains clean/clutter free work areas to ensure safe environments for all WSECO employees.
• Adheres to required personal protective equipment (PPE) as identified in safety policy.

Customer Care Commitments

• Convey Warmth and Empathy - Acknowledge customers and greet everyone with an authentic smile.
• Actively Listen - Give your full attention, make eye contact, avoid interrupting, and ask clarifying questions.
• Build Trust - Take ownership, act with urgency, and follow through on commitments.
• Say Thank you - Express genuine appreciation for effort, feedback, and collaboration.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

Benefits Program Administration

• Responsible for the day-to-day administration of employee benefits program which includes health insurance, 401K, health savings accounts, Life, AD&D, optional employee coverage, and more.
• Assists Parent and Sister companies with benefits questions and needs, and open enrollment activities on an as-needed basis.
• Works with vendors to understand benefits and help to resolve employee issues.
• Assists in daily management of benefit programs, including enrollments, terminations, and life event changes.
• Reconciles and approves vendor invoices and sends to finance for payment.
• Manages and monitors COBRA program to ensure compliance and timely communication to eligible past employees.
• Assists with various benefits reporting and analysis such as benefits utilization.
• Collaborates with Employee Experience & Wellness Manager on wellness program and initiatives.
• Assists with annual open enrollment process and help conduct open enrollment meetings.
• Creates employee benefits communication and awareness campaigns.
• Maintains accurate benefits records and prepare required compliance reports.
• Regularly monitors and audits vendor file feeds to ensure accuracy of data transfer.
• Ensures adherence to federal and state regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong detail orientation and multitasking skills required.
• Proficiency in various Microsoft suite products and HRIS systems.
• Ability to travel on an occasional but not regular basis for open enrollment or other benefits meetings, potential for overnight stay, less than 5%.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree preferred. Equivalent experience accepted.
• Minimum of three years administering benefits programs. Self-funded programs preferred.
• Minimum of three years supporting employees with benefits inquiries, researching claims, and partnering with vendors to resolve employee concerns.
• Minimum one year experience with HRIS systems, reporting and configuration in relations to benefits strongly preferred.
• Must be able to communicate (speak, read, comprehend, write in English).

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Must be able to sit for long periods along with walking, standing, climbing stairs, reaching pushing, pulling, leaning and twisting.
• Able to lift up to 30 lbs. in accordance with Western States' Lifting Safe Work Practice to include amount and approach.
• Must be able to meet all safety requirements for applicable safety policies.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. It is not intended be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this classification.