Benefits Specialist

The Benefits Specialist supports and administers all employee benefit programs across the organization, including health and welfare plans, 401(k), leave programs, and related compliance requirements. This role ensures accurate enrollment and billing, maintains benefit data and documentation, and provides timely, high quality‑ support to employees and internal partners.

• Health & Welfare Benefits Administration

  • Manage all aspects of health and welfare benefits, including new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, changes, and terminations.
  • Process benefit updates through payroll, HRIS, and insurance carriers to ensure accurate deductions and records.
  • Reconcile monthly benefits statements and review carrier invoices for accuracy and timely payment.
  • Oversee COBRA administration, including subsidy updates, issue resolution, and coordination with third party‑ administrators.
  • Administer voluntary life insurance programs, including tracking Evidence of Insurability (EOI) and monitoring medical underwriting updates.

  401(k) Plan Administration

  • Process 401(k) enrollments, contribution changes, and terminations.
  • Coordinate with payroll and plan providers to ensure accurate contributions and compliance with plan rules.
  • Maintain accurate participant records and support employee questions related to the plan.

  Leave of Absence (LOA) Support

  • Assist with LOA processing, including responding to short term‑ disability (STD) information requests and updating LOA tracking tools.
  • Coordinate with Payroll, HR Business Partners, and external vendors to ensure accurate leave documentation and communication.
  • Provide employees with clear guidance on leave processes and timelines.

  Employee Support & Communication

  • Respond to employee benefit inquiries through the HR portal, ticketing system, and benefits email inbox, escalating issues when needed.
  • Review and approve new hire benefit elections and qualifying life event submissions.
  • Partner with Internal Communications to support benefits education, awareness campaigns, and year round‑ communication.
  • Assist with Open Enrollment planning, system updates, communication, and administration.

  Vendor & Program Coordination

  • Serve as a liaison with benefits vendors, including insurance carriers, 401(k) providers, leave administrators, and the career transition program vendor.
  • Maintain accurate employee benefit files, HRIS data, and documentation to support audits, compliance, and reporting.
  • Ensure timely distribution of required benefit notices and compliance with applicable regulations.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service abilities.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of HR principles, benefits administration, and relevant laws (ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced‑ environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS/benefits administration systems, including file feeds and benefits portals.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and maintain confidentiality.
• At least 2 years of experience preferred.