Benefits Specialist

Position Summary

The Benefits Specialist is accountable for team member benefits administration in all company operations. This position is responsible for providing special guidance and assistance on various team member benefit plans and executing monthly reporting requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and monthly benefit reconciliations. This position supervises the administration of existing benefit plans; ensures communication and education are provided to all newly eligible individuals as well as for all eligible team members during our annual open enrollment. This position will also serve as a point of contact for 401(k), FMLA, ADA, and LOAs. A key focus of this role will be to drive the utilization of preventive care services and drive our wellness initiatives with an adoption rate of 70% or greater within that program.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Team Member Education and Enrollment
   • Administer team member benefits programs such as retirement plans, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and temporary disability programs.
     
   • Maintain team member benefit files and related payroll records.
     
   • Act as a central contact/customer service point for all team members with benefit-related questions, providing excellent customer service throughout the benefits enrollment experience.
     
   • Act as a point of contact for 401(k) program questions with a high-level understanding of eligibility requirements.
     
   • Ongoing monthly eligibility, enrollment, and arrears for all insurance benefits.
     
   • Implement approved new plans or changes to existing plans by preparing announcement materials, plan summary documents, and other media for communicating programs to team members. Conduct team member meetings and arrange for enrollment and advice and counsel management and team members on existing benefits.
     
   • Handle benefits, 401(k), and PTO/vacation/sick inquiries and complaints to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution.
     
   • Serve as a point of initial contact for FMLA and LOA administration, and work closely with the HR Operations Leadership and General Counsel to ensure compliance across multiple states.
     
   • Assess and respond to team member leave requests.
   • Recognize when a team member's absence may fall under FMLA or other state-required leaves.
     
   • Fully own and maintain the benefit premium coverage for team members on approved LOAs that will not have earnings to cover their benefit deductions.
     
   • Plan for coverage of the team member's job duties while absent and ensure thorough communication with the operation and managers of a team member approved for leave.
2. Compliance
   • Ensure ACA compliance requirements are being met and maintained, including identifying newly eligible/ineligible team members during defined timeframes; ensure dissemination of such information according to legal guidelines and company policy.
     
   • Ensure company compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the ACA provisions.
     
   • Supervise the preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with federal and state agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, insurance commissioners, and other regulatory agencies. Review and analyze changes to state and federal laws pertaining to benefits and report necessary or suggested changes to management.
     
   • Prepare, recommend, and maintain records and procedures for controlling personnel transactions, policies, and reporting related data.
     
   • Creates and distributes monthly benefit newsletters.
     
   • Kronos team member profile changes requested by Personnel Action Form (PAF) for Time and Labor Profiles, benefits, and Paid Time Off.
     
   • Understand and comply with FMLA, related state laws, and LOA policies.
     
   • Ensure that the team member's FMLA usage in our HRIS is accurately recorded.
     
   • Keep abreast of any changes on the state or federal level as it applies to different types of leaves and ensure compliance with each leave law.
     
   • Perform a thorough monthly reconciliation of bills.
     
   • Develop benefit information and statistical and demographic data for insurance carriers and management.
     
   • Work with the Facilities Team to ensure all Centria locations have up-to-date leave posters for their locality and following the federal leave laws.
3. Vendor Relations
   • Maintain contact in person, phone, email, or mail with hospitals, physicians, insurance companies, 401(k) administrators, team members, and beneficiaries to facilitate proper and complete utilization of benefits for all team members.
4. Compliance with Centria's Code of Conduct, policies and procedures, and Federal and State laws.
5. Responsibility to report violations of Company policies or the Code of Conduct. 

Qualifications
Education/Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required
  
• PHR or SHRM-CP is a plus

Work Experience

• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in benefits and/or leave administration OR 3 years' experience working in HR Functions at Centria
• Minimum of 3 years of previous experience in various HRIS systems
• Knowledge of ACA requirements and programs
  
• Knowledge of 401(k) plan administration, NQDC plan knowledge preferred

Equipment and Technology Requirements

• Proficiency in computer skills
  
• Proficiency using laptop/desktop PC
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  
• Proficiency in G Suite (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Google Meet)
  
• HRIS platform expertise

Other Competency Requirements

• Ability to follow written instructions
  
• Ability to use computers and computer/software programs
  
• Ability to communicate expressively and receptively

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to build rapport with team members, explain complicated information in an approachable and easily understood manner, effectively handle challenging phone conversations, and represent the Centria brand;
  
• Ability to apply and adapt practices and techniques to the specifications set by senior leadership;
  
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and handle multiple tasks, adhere to established deadlines, and produce work that consistently meets or exceeds team benchmarks;
  
• Proven adaptability with a willingness to work both collaboratively and individually to achieve desired business outcomes;
  
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills;
  
• Demonstrated strong work ethic with attention to detail, accuracy, and quality.

Working Conditions

• Centria's office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM. Centria is operational 24/7.
• Additional time may be required to complete the above work or meet company objectives.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, physical requirements such as bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 30 pounds may be required. This role will require sitting most of the day as well as walking and standing periodically. This role may require close visual acuity on computer screens or monitors and the ability to analyze data and figures on a
screen.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, Veteran status, or disability status. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. Centria reserves the right to amend this job description at any time, with or without written notice.

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