Benefits Coordinator

The Benefits Coordinator is responsible for supporting the day-to-day administration of the company's employee benefits and leave programs while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This role serves as a primary point of contact for employees, managers, and fishermen regarding benefit plans, leave administration, and retirement programs. Responsibilities include benefits enrollment, qualifying life events, HRIS data management, leave administration support, 401(k) administration, compliance auditing, payroll deduction coordination, and responding to employee inquiries.

The Benefits Coordinator works closely with the Benefits Specialist and HR team to deliver accurate, timely, and customer-focused benefits administration while maintaining data integrity and supporting organizational compliance.

• Maintains and oversees the daily tasks of benefit administration, qualifying events, monthly billing, and the 834-file transmission to our vendors.
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers, employees, and fishermen on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Monitors and organizes the shared email inbox by answering questions and escalating requests as needed.
• Conducts reporting of new hires and supports employees during the benefit enrollment process.
• Tracks the benefit enrollment process of all newly eligible employees and fishermen by sending regular reminders, approving/waiving benefits, and calculating premium payroll adjustments as needed.
• Assists with the administration of all leave-of-absence requests: medical, personal, worker’s compensation, and FMLA.
• Effectively interprets FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities.
• Responds to 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. Manages the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.
• Assists with the open enrollment process.
• Assists with conducting routine audits in the HRIS system (UKG), including but not limited to employee coding, benefit eligibility, and deduction codes.
• Supports the Benefits Specialist with tracking Hours Bank for eligible employees and monitors extended coverage post-termination.
• Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Handles verifications of employment (VOE), medical support orders, garnishments, and other routine employee related documentation requests.

• HRIS Proficiency: High competency in HRIS systems (preferably UKG) to manage data entry, reporting, and system auditing.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of FMLA and ADA implications regarding leaves of absence; strong understanding of general HR principles and compliance mandates.
• Audit & Data Integrity: Proven ability to manage complex data sets, identify discrepancies in deductions/coding, and maintain meticulous records.
• Financial Coordination: Ability to calculate premium payroll adjustments and support the administration of 401(k) plans

• Service-Oriented Mindset: Exceptional customer service skills, with a patient and professional approach to resolving employee and fisherman inquiries.
• Confidentiality & Ethics: Demonstrated ability to handle highly sensitive personal and medical information with the utmost discretion and ethical judgment.
• Effective Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills, capable of explaining complex benefit details to diverse audiences.
• Collaborative Agility: Ability to balance independent tasks while collaborating effectively within the People team, maintaining professionalism during high-volume or seasonal peaks.
• Prioritization: Excellent organizational skills with the capacity to manage multiple competing priorities while meeting strict HR deadlines

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and professional work…