Benefits Manager - Fractional

Birch Family Services is a leading provider of education, employment, and community support services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and their families in New York City. The organization supports more than 2,000 people across 31 locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, providing fully integrated programs and services from preschool to graduation, employment, housing, and beyond. The Fractional Benefits Manager is a temporary position within the Human Resources structure for a period of 3 to 4 months. The role assists with benefits administration, fielding employee benefit questions, liaising with benefits carriers and third‑party vendors, and documenting employee leave of absence. The manager records employee changes and enrollments in benefit programs in HRIS and vendor systems, tracks employee leave periods, and communicates with on‑leave employees and vendors. Essential Functions Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information Handles benefit inquiries and concerns to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution Ensures all eligible staff are offered and properly enrolled for medical insurance in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Ensures eligible staff are enrolled in COBRA on separation from the Birch Reconciles and submits all benefits invoices for payment processing Ensures accurate employee time and leave accrual tracking Assists Deputy Director of Human Resources in administering leaves of absence in partnership with the agency's third‑party administrator, demonstrating knowledge in FMLA, PFL, ADA, STD, LTD, and Workers Comp Serves as liaison between employee, Leave Administrator, Payroll and Managers Audits documentation in relation to leave and return employees from Leave of Absence (LOA) Administers benefits payment process for employees on leave of absence Produces weekly status reports for communication of leaves with Managers Maintains appropriate and effective interpersonal relationships with team and department members, other staff, supervisors, administrators, and outside agencies Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required 2–3 years of employee benefits experience required Demonstrated working knowledge of federal and state regulations affecting employee benefits programs, including ACA, ERISA, FMLA, PFL, ADA, Section 125, COBRA, and Workers Compensation Working Conditions Per‑diem position; hours are generally Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm but may vary based on project needs and scheduling priorities May involve hybrid or remote work, depending on assignment EEO Statement Birch Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Birch Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Birch Family Services expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Birch Family Services’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge. #J-18808-Ljbffr Birch Family Services