Benefits Specialist

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 5-7 years of HR experience
• 3-5 years of benefits experience
• Working knowledge of HRIS (People Soft), Microsoft Office, and relational databases

• SHPR, PHR, CEBS, or SHRM certification

The Benefits Specialist supports active and retired employees by responding to escalated questions and requests related to all benefit programs. This role conducts in-depth research, partners with internal teams and external vendors, and provides timely, accurate resolutions to employee benefit issues. The position also supports strategic projects and provides administrative assistance to the Benefits Service Center, Health & Welfare team, and, as needed, the Systems and Retirement teams.

• Serve as the subject matter expert for Health & Welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, prescription, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, and voluntary benefits.
• Maintain knowledge of retirement plans and tuition assistance programs.
• Support benefit plan implementations, administration, and employee communications.
• Provide customer support via phone, email, service requests, and other communication channels.
• Respond to employee and retiree benefit inquiries accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensure benefits procedures are followed consistently to maintain compliance.
• Support process improvements through workflow evaluation, metrics reporting, and trend analysis.
• Research and resolve complex benefit issues in partnership with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Assist with projects related to retirements, benefit administration, new hire orientations, open enrollment, benefit fairs, and wellness events.