Benefits and Leave Specialist

PCSI is looking for a Benefits Specialist to join our People Team In this role, you’ll administer PCSI’s health benefits, 401(k), FMLA, and other leave programs. You’ll help employees understand and navigate their benefits, while supporting accurate enrollment, eligibility, records, and compliance processes. We’re looking for someone with a strong knowledge base in benefits and leave administration, excellent attention to detail, and the initiative to identify process improvements that make programs easier to manage and better for employees. This exempt position reports to the Senior Benefits Manager and is based in our corporate headquarters in South Austin, TX. How You’ll Work On-site work from South Austin PCSI corporate office required Monday-Friday during initial training period. Eligible for a hybrid work schedule (up to 2 remote days per week) upon successful completion of training and with manager approval. Monday-Friday schedule, with approximately 8 consecutive working hours within PCSI’s core business hours of 7:00am - 6:00pm, and as business needs necessitate. Occasional evening and weekend support as needed. Must be located in the Austin, TX metro area. Benefits Include Annual bonus opportunity up to 6%. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% employer-paid premiums for Employee Only plans. 401(k) with company match up to 6%, with pre-tax and Roth options, and 100% immediate vesting upon eligibility. Company-paid short-term and long-term disability, plus additional voluntary benefit options. 21 days of PTO each year, in addition to all federal holidays. Who We Are PCSI is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities through employment, advocacy, partnerships, and innovation. We vet, prepare, lead, and sustain a skilled workforce that provides top-tier services at job sites across the country. Our areas of expertise are wide and diverse; total facilities maintenance, hospital environmental services, custodial and grounds, disability awareness training, job coaching, and job placement are just a few. We integrate people with disabilities and veterans into meaningful jobs with competitive wages and benefits. Serving people of all abilities in their life’s journey is at the heart of what we do. Benefits Administration What You’ll Do as a Benefits Specialist Administer benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA, 401(k), and employee leave programs across multiple subsidiaries and contracts. Process benefit elections and changes for new hires, qualifying life events, terminations, status changes, and new site contracts within the HRIS and vendor systems. Investigate and resolve benefits-related issues by partnering with vendors, payroll, and the Senior Benefits Manager. Leave Administration Support employee leave of absence programs, including FMLA, short-term disability, other medical leave, and personal leaves, in partnership with the leave administration vendor. Monitor employee leave status, documentation, and vendor tracking reports to identify issues and support accurate case administration. Collaborate with People Team Business Partners, managers, employees, and vendors to maintain timely communication, system updates, and compliance with applicable leave requirements. Communication And Employee Support Answer benefits, 401(k), and leave questions from employees and leaders with professionalism, clarity, and empathy. Support benefits education, onboarding, open enrollment, FMLA training, and new site startup communications. Travel to new site startup locations as needed to facilitate meetings and support enrollment. Data Integrity, Compliance, And Process Improvement Maintain accurate benefits and leave records in the HRIS, vendor systems, payroll files, and internal documentation. Perform audits, reconciliations, reporting, and data validation to support compliance, payroll accuracy, vendor files, benefit invoices, and internal stakeholders. Identify trends, recurring issues, and opportunities to improve benefit and leave processes, system cleanup, vendor performance, and benefits cycle activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field. 2+ years of employee benefits administration experience in an organization with 1,000 or more employees. Current working knowledge of benefits plans, eligibility rules, plan design features, and cross-system impacts. 1 year of hands‑on FMLA administration experience. Solid understanding of FMLA and other leave programs and their impact on benefits administration and payroll processes. Experience maintaining and auditing benefits data across HRIS, vendor, and internal systems. Preferred Qualifications Bilingual fluency in Spanish strongly preferred to support our Spanish‑speaking employees. 3-5 years employee benefits administration experience in an organization with 1,000 or more employees. Experience administering FMLA and other leave programs, including medical and personal leaves, and managing cases where multiple leave types intersect. Advanced Excel proficiency. Experience with UKG Pro and/or supporting union benefits programs, and/or federal contracts. Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Strong customer service and communication skills to explain benefits and leave processes clearly to employees, leaders, vendors, and internal stakeholders. Comfortable navigating multiple systems and resolving issues that cross HRIS, payroll, and vendor platforms. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify patterns, troubleshoot issues, and recommend process improvements. High degree of confidentiality with employee personal data and other sensitive information. Ability to maintain accuracy, follow through on commitments, and manage competing deadlines and shifting priorities. Other Requirements Ability to pass criminal, drug, and driving screening. Possess valid driver’s license and maintain good driving record. Ability to exchange accurate information in person and over the phone. Occasional travel may be required, up to 5%. PCSI does not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. This includes visa types such as H‑1B, TN, and STEM OPT. Please do not apply if you currently require or may require sponsorship now or in the future. All veterans and/or persons with all types of disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply! #J-18808-Ljbffr