Human Resource Specialist

Overview

The Human Resource Specialist (HR Specialist) is responsible for administering employee leaves, and benefits programs. This role supports core human resources functions, including FMLA and other leave administration, onboarding, and employee relations. The HR Specialist fosters cross-departmental collaboration and builds strong working relationships with leaders across the organization.


Benefits Include

• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance options, including HSA match for qualifying contributions.
• Parental Paid Leave
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Paid time off and holiday pay.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement available.
• Company sponsored learning and development

Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned as necessary.

• Administer and manage the full lifecycle of employee benefits and leave programs through HRIS, benefits administration, leave management, payroll, and vendor systems, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and exceptional employee service.
• Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and other voluntary benefits.
• Manage benefit enrollments, qualifying life event changes, eligibility audits, terminations, COBRA administration, and annual open enrollment processes through HR technology platforms and vendor portals.
• Partner with benefit carriers, brokers, third-party administrators, payroll, and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of benefit and leave data across systems.
• Develop, maintain, and audit benefit and leave records within HRIS and related platforms, ensuring compliance with company policies and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Administer and coordinate FMLA, ADA, state-specific leave programs, workers' compensation leave coordination, paid parental leave, military leave, and other leave of absence programs in accordance with applicable laws and organizational policies.
• Monitor leave cases from initiation through return-to-work, ensuring accurate documentation, timely communication, benefit continuation, payroll coordination, and regulatory compliance.
• Generate, analyze, and maintain benefits and leave reports, dashboards, and metrics to support compliance requirements, workforce planning, leadership decision-making, audits, and vendor performance reviews.
• Lead employee communications and education efforts related to benefits and leave programs, including open enrollment, plan changes, wellness initiatives, compliance notices, and policy updates.
• Provide consultative support to employees and leaders regarding benefits eligibility, leave options, accommodations, return-to-work processes, and complex employee situations.
• Resolve escalated employee, vendor, carrier, and system-related issues involving coverage, claims, eligibility, billing discrepancies, leave tracking, and system functionality.
• Support annual benefits planning activities, vendor implementations, system enhancements, testing, and process improvement initiatives to increase operational effectiveness and employee satisfaction.
• Maintain current knowledge of benefits and leave regulations, industry trends, and best practices, recommend enhancements to programs, processes, and technology solutions as appropriate.
• Perform all duties within contract, state and federal regulations, company policy, and regulatory agency standards.
• May be required to drive vehicles, be insurable with our auto insurance provider, and complete company vehicle training.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required, along with 3-5 years of human resources experience. The ideal candidate will have experience administering employee benefits and leave processes and working with HRIS or ATS systems. Working knowledge of employee relations and workers' compensation is preferred. SPHR or PHR certification is preferred.