Benefits Specialist

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Benefits and Wellness, the Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, FMLA, retirement plans, and voluntary benefits. This role ensures the accurate and efficient management of benefits programs, assists employees with benefit-related inquiries, and ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Essential Duties:

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures
• Administer and handle the agency’s benefits programs. Including but not limited to FMLA, PFL, disability, worker’s compensation, disability, medical, and dental
• Process all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork; medical, disability, PFL and FMLA
• Track leave time and work with employees and managers to ensure proper timekeeping
• Coordinate enrollment, changes, and terminations of employee benefits
• Effectively interprets FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities
• Create and maintain accurate leave files
• Communicate with employees and managers to coordinate the return-to-work process, including accommodation requests and leave expirations
• Workers’ Compensation administration
• Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information
• Counsels and educates newly hired and existing employees on benefit and retirement plan options
• Responds to 403(B) and 401(K) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes, and contribution amounts
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations related to employee benefits, including COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and ERISA
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes, and other general inquiries
• Assists with COBRA administration, ensuring termination data is transferred to the third-party vendor in a timely manner
• Partners with Payroll to ensure appropriate benefit changes are processed
• Additional benefits administration and other duties as assigned
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in benefits administration
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related field; in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an additional three years of benefits administration experience

Key Competencies:

• CEBS, PHR, or other relevant certification in benefits administration preferred
• Strong understanding of employee benefits laws and regulations (e.g., ERISA, FMLA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA)
• Fluent with HRIS platforms and benefits management software, ensuring efficient data entry, reporting, and benefits administration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; able to explain complex information clearly
• Proven ability to manage and maintain sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of benefits administration
• Strong ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and work independently with minimal supervision
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.