Benefits Specialist

We are currently looking for a qualified, experienced candidate to fill available positions as Benefits Specialist, Manhattan. The Benefits Specialist oversees daily administration of multiple benefit-related human resource programs and services, including health and welfare plans, retirement savings plans, work/life/wellness, or other agency-sponsored programs..

We welcome applications from qualified applicants, and also encourage you to utilize your professional and personal networks to identify individuals who would be a good fit for this position.

Please see the partial job description for this position below, and application instructions.

Position Summary:

Summary:

Oversees daily administration of multiple benefit-related human resource programs and services, including health and welfare plans, retirement savings plans, work/life/wellness, or other agency-sponsored programs. Serves as the primary contact for and acts as liaison between employees and third-party administrators or service providers to resolve or answer claim issues and services-related concerns. Responsible for vendor relationships and plan design, and HRIS benefit administration program. Provide expertise and insight on employee benefits. Ensure effective administration and coordinate daily operations of employee benefit programs, vendor relationships, employee benefits orientation, HRIS entry and maintenance. Make recommendations for enhancement and/or changes to employee benefit package based on cost, employee preferences, system capabilities, and strategic direction. Provide leadership for operational responsibilities to effectively service employees and to ensure benefits are properly administered in a cost-effective manner.

Essential Responsibilities:

· Recommends enhanced or new benefits to management based upon employee requirements and trends and developments in benefits offered by other organizations.

· Supports management’s decision making by analyzing benefit options and projecting future costs.

· Identifies benefit options by analyzing alternatives; obtaining advice from brokers, service providers, and consultants.

· Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by reviewing existing and new legislation; obtaining qualified opinions, as needed; ensuring adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.

· Manages and maintains benefit documentation by developing recordkeeping systems; initiating new-hire benefits; recording changes.

· Resolves employee questions and problems by interpreting benefit policies and procedures.

· Expedites delivery of benefits by establishing and maintaining working relationships with multiple benefit providers.

· Manages reconciliation of benefits accounts by approving billing statements.

· Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; expanding professional networks.

· Develops special reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.

Specific Duties:

· Responsible for understanding plan design and administrative practices to answer employees’ questions involving eligibility, plan/policy interpretation, and participant account management.

· Ensures the input of all enrollment data and changes are entered into ADP Workforce Now HRIS database and monitors payroll deductions to ensure accuracy.

· Responsible for handling and the security of employees’ protected health information.

· Facilitates enrollment meetings and new hire orientation as necessary. Facilitates weekly new hire benefit orientation

· Generates periodic (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) ADP reporting which may include detail and/or summary level information for use in management reports, or various HR-related initiatives, etc.

· Day to day administration of benefits programs, leave of absence (LOA) and FMLA requests, Short-Term and Long Term Disability, and retirement savings plans utilizing ADP HRIS databases

· Ensures compliance with FMLA and ADA requirements

· Responds to employee questions regarding benefits programs and FMLA. Provides services to employees to answer their benefit questions, handles and resolves escalated employee concerns and claim issues

· Provides orientation to new employees, and processes newly eligible employees’ enrollment forms and changes; educates participants by providing clear and complete information in accordance with policy terms, and conditions

· Ensures proper and timely processing of enrollments, status changes and termination of benefits coverage;

· Coordinates with Payroll to ensure that all enrollments, terminations and change data are reflected timely in HR and Payroll systems

· Compiles census data during annual renewals.

· Coordinates open enrollment process: prepares benefit packages, reviews and tracks returned forms, etc.

· Performs data edits, audit reports and trouble shoot errors to ensure data integrity of employee records and vendor interfaces.

· Develops and maintains relationships with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, brokers

· Processes Benefits Enrollment and/or Change Forms and as well changes to specific vendor secure websites.

· Administers and maintains the FSA plans by reconciling the bi-weekly file against payroll records; identifies potential discrepancies.

· Analyzes and prepares multiple benefit self-billing reports, check against supporting documentation/HRIS generated reports, and ensure bills are paid timely and accurately.

· Prepares standardized COBRA eligibility letters and enrollment packets for terminated employees and addresses specific concerns.

· Audits discrepancy reports for all vendors against ADP database

· Perform other related duties as assigned by management including benefit related activities and assistance in the implementation of new benefit programs.

· Other compensation and benefits projects as needed.

· Prepare yearly retirement plan discrimination testing.

· Prepare all annual government filings and tax-reporting requirements.

· Prepare all files and documentation for annual 403B/401A retirement audit.

· Counsel staff (and management) on Leave of Absence options based on need and eligibility.

· Counsel Employee Relations Team on Leave of Absences available to their designated groups

· Work with Employee Relations Team on policies and procedures in relation to attendance and LOA

· Represent the HR Dept. on the COVID Management and Incident Review Committees providing feedback from an HR perspective.

· Assist with RFP’s for vendors

· Create new benefit plans and administrative set-up (or Carrier Connection) in ADP

· Process/approve PCORI and ACA 1094/1095C tax filing forms

• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, or related course of study, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Proficient with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point);
• 2+ years hands-on experience with ADP/Workforce Now and Enterprise E-Time HRIS/ADP PayExpert Payroll systems with demonstrated working proficiency with spreadsheet and database/reporting applications
• Minimum 2 years demonstrated experience administering employee benefits including knowledge of Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD, 401(a) and 403(b) (including loans, hardship withdrawals) and voluntary Benefit Plans along with HIPPA regulations, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA and other federal and state statutes.
• Workers’ compensation, FMLA, State STD, Disability claim reporting, follow up, production of documents, statements, investigations etc.
• Strong customer service, written and verbal communication skills.
• Conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrated success prioritizing multiple tasks
• Detail oriented with high attention to accuracy
• Demonstrated ability to resolve problems and follow through on commitments
• Self-motivated, proactive, accountable and willing to resolve employee issues
• Maintains knowledge of and analyzes government regulations, benefit program trends, and prevailing practices among similar organizations
• Good organizational skills; detail-oriented and able to keep complete and accurate records
• Technologically savvy; good familiarity with internet and updating web content
• Ability to ensure integrity of information and workflow processes
• Spanish language fluency desirable.