Benefits Specialist

Position

Benefits Specialist

Pursuant to Colorado regulations, if this job is performed in Colorado, the salary range is $60,000 - $70,000 plus bonus potential. Eligible to participate in the company benefits plan. We offer health, vision, dental, and pet insurance. We offer a 401(k) retirement plan, student loan assistance, licensing and continuing education reimbursement, parental leave, and housing allowances or gifts.

The Benefits Specialist is a core functional expert responsible for the effective administration, communication, and compliance of the organization's core benefits, leave of absence, and Workers' Compensation (WC) programs. Reporting directly to the Benefits Manager, this role demands a robust working knowledge of disability programs, federal/state leave laws, and policy execution. The specialist acts as the primary subject matter expert for employees and managers on all related inquiries, ensuring accurate data management and seamless execution of the annual open enrollment cycle.

Benefits Administration & Open Enrollment

• Program Management:
  Administer and manage all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs.
• Enrollment and Data Integrity:
  Process and manage all benefit enrollment, changes, and terminations within the HRIS and with external carriers, ensuring data accuracy and timeliness.
• Financial Oversight:
  Manage monthly benefit invoicing, performing meticulous reconciliation of carrier bills against payroll deductions and enrollment records to ensure payment accuracy and cost control.
• Open Enrollment:
  Actively lead and execute the annual open enrollment process, including system configuration, coordinating employee communication materials, and conducting informational sessions.

Leave & Disability Administration

• Leave Management:
  Administer all federal and state-mandated leaves of absence (e.g., FMLA, state family/medical leaves), ensuring compliance, appropriate documentation, and proper tracking.
• Disability Programs:
  Serve as the main point of contact for employees regarding short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) claims, assisting with claim filing and coordinating return-to-work timelines with the third-party administrator (TPA).
• Policy Expertise:
  Advise employees and managers on company leave and disability policies, ensuring consistent and fair application across the organization.

Workers' Compensation (WC) Management

• First Report of Injury:
  Manage the intake and administration of the first report of injury for all Workers' Compensation claims, ensuring timely and accurate submission to the WC carrier and relevant state agencies.
• Compliance & Tracking:
  Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Workers' Compensation laws and regulations by state. Ensure proper internal documentation and tracking for all claims.
• Return-to-Work Coordination:
  Collaborate with the WC carrier, medical providers, and managers to facilitate and track employee status, manage documentation, and coordinate modified duty or return-to-work programs.

Compliance and Team Member Support

• Regulatory Compliance:
  Ensure all benefit plans and procedures comply with federal regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and ACA requirements.
• Employee Liaison:
  Serve as the primary contact for all employee inquiries related to benefits, leaves, and policies, providing accurate and professional guidance.
• Policy Documentation:
  Assist the Benefits Manager in developing, updating, and communicating benefit-related policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Experience:
  
  Minimum of 3-5 years of direct experience administering complex employee benefits and HR programs, with specific proven responsibility in leave administration (FMLA, state leaves) and Workers' Compensation (WC).
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  • Strong proficiency with HRIS/payroll systems.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting.

• Core Competencies:
  • Thorough knowledge of federal and state benefits laws (e.g., COBRA, HIPAA, ACA), including detailed expertise in FMLA and various state-mandated leave laws.
  • Demonstrated working knowledge of Workers' Compensation processes, disability programs (STD/LTD), and open enrollment execution.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex policies to a diverse employee population.
  • Strong analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and proven discretion when handling confidential information.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.…