Human Resources Coordiantor

Smith Gardens is a wholesale nursery company that is headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, and has been family owned for over 100 years with facilities in three states.

At Smith Gardens, our business is growing:
Growing annuals and perennials, growing our relationships with partners, growing our love of gardening, and growing our team’s passion and expertise in horticulture—all for the benefit of the consumers who love to garden.

Whether we are out in the greenhouses or working in the office, our Smith Gardens team is dedicated to delivering the healthiest plants on the market for the biggest impact on our partners’ shelves and in our customers’ gardens.

One of our Core Values is People: “We value and respect all people. We are focused on developing teams and growing the potential of individuals.” We encourage personal growth and continued education so that each member of our Smith Gardens family succeeds. We take as much care cultivating the ecosystem of our offices as we do our gardens. Achieving the quality we strive for in our products and culture is truly a team effort, and every role is vital.

Nurturing growth, collaboration and community is in our nature. Put down roots at any of our five locations and unearth your full potential.

We have an exciting opportunity for a HR Benefits Coordinator to join our Human Resources team. The HR Benefits Coordinator is responsible for the administration, coordination, and support of employee benefits programs, including health, retirement, leave, and wellness plans. This role ensures accurate enrollment, compliance with applicable laws, and timely communication with employees and vendors. The position serves as a key point of contact for benefits-related inquiries and supports a positive employee experience through effective program delivery.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Administer day-to-day operations of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, and retirement plans.
• Serve as the primary contact for employee inquiries related to benefits, eligibility, claims, and coverage.
• Partner with benefits brokers and vendors to resolve issues and improve service delivery.
• Conduct the monthly determination of benefit-eligible employees and communicate the results to Site HRGs.
• Coordinate and process employee benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations in HRIS and carrier systems.
• Reconcile monthly benefits billing and coordinate with Finance/Payroll to ensure accurate premium deductions.
• Conduct benefit orientations for new hires for Home Office and Merchandisers.
• Responsible for the annual Open Enrollment process, presentations and travel to the five sites.
• Support annual 401k census & audit, EEOC reporting and medical census.
• Develop and maintain benefits communication materials, guides, and employee resources.
• Track employees benefit premiums during leaves of absence and ensure timely reimbursement of employee-paid premiums to the company.
• Run weekly termination reports and notify COBRA administrator as required.
• Maintain accurate benefits records and ensure data integrity across HRMS, payroll, and vendor platforms.
• Support compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA).
• Support HR projects related to benefits enhancements and system improvements.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information at all times.

COMPETENCIES:

• Articulating ideas, providing direction, and fostering open dialogue among team members and stakeholders.
• Building strong relationships, promoting teamwork, and leveraging diverse skills for collective success.
• Pursuing personal and professional growth, encouraging learning in others, and adapting to industry changes.
• Foster and promote a safety culture.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complex benefits issues.
• Professional office environment with frequent interaction…