Benefits and Leave Specialist

Benefits And Leave Specialist

Dogwood Industries is seeking a highly organized Benefits and Leave Specialist to join our team in Sedro-Woolley, WA. A successful candidate will thrive at multitasking, pay close attention to detail and take ownership and pride in their tasks. Additionally, the candidate must be reliable, dependable, and determined when it comes to projects that challenge their capabilities. The Benefits and Leave Specialist position is a key role within Dogwood Industries, providing support to the HR Department, with a direct focus on benefits, leaves and compliance.

Benefit Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, voluntary benefits, retirement plans, etc.
• Coordinate new hire enrollments, qualifying life event changes, annual open enrollment, and benefit terminations.
• Coordinate with benefit vendors, brokers, and insurance carriers to resolve employee issues and maintain accurate records.
• Collaborate with employees regarding benefit deductions and ensure data accuracy within the HRIS and benefits systems, timely and reported by each payroll deadline.
• Educate employees on available benefits and provide guidance on plan options and enrollment procedures.
• Prepare and distribute benefit communication, materials, and resources.
• Assist with benefit audits, reconciliations, and reporting requirements.
• Monitor benefit costs and support benefit program evaluations and renewals.
• Support offboarding tasks including coordination of benefit termination and COBRA notification.

Leave Administration

• Administer employee leave programs, including FMLA (federal and state accordingly), ADA accommodations, parental leave, military leave, workers' compensation, etc.
• Review leave requests and determine eligibility in accordance with applicable laws and company policies.
• Coordinate leave documentation, certifications, approvals, extensions, and return-to-work processes.
• Maintain communication with employees, managers, healthcare providers, and third-party leave administrators.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date leave records and absence tracking.
• Support accommodation requests and engage in the interactive process as appropriate.
• Coordinate return-to-work plans and transitional work arrangements when applicable.
• Work closely with safety site leads and management, as applicable, to ensure proper tracking and documentation for workplace injuries associated with leaves of absence.

Compliance & Recordkeeping

• Ensure compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations related to benefits and leave administration.
• Maintain confidential employee records in accordance with company policies and privacy requirements.
• Prepare reports, metrics, and documentation for internal and external audits.
• Stay informed about changes in benefits and leave legislation and recommend policy updates as needed.
• Assist in developing and maintaining HR policies, procedures, and employee communication.
• Assist employees in accordance with plan rules and applicable regulations, including ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA.

Employee Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions regarding benefits and leave programs.
• Provide excellent customer service while handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Conduct employee orientations and benefits information sessions.
• Communicate with employees and brokers, maintaining timelines, and ensuring all elections and leave notifications are complete on schedule.

Other

• Support HR initiatives and special projects as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma, general education degree or vocational degree
• 3+ years of previous HR experience, including direct experience with benefits and leaves
• Professional, motivated, and energetic demeanor
• Strong organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat
• Excellent verbal and writing skills in U.S. English; fluency in Spanish is a plus
• Valid driver's license with clean driving record
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Experience in construction or manufacturing
• Proficient within Paylocity or other HRIS software
• Experience managing leaves and benefit administration

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

This position requires moderate physical activity, primarily in an office environment but may include visits to the manufacturing facilities or job sites to support employees and collaborate with leadership. To perform the essential functions of this job, the employee is regularly seated at a computer desk with the option to stand, is utilizing the telephone frequently, and participating in meetings with colleagues, clients, third party vendors, etc. There are stairs in the office. In the factory setting, you may be exposed to shop elements such as noise, dust, fumes, and odors.

Compensation

$91,500 to 110,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Health Benefits, including medical, dental and vision
• Company paid and supplemental life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Paid vacation, paid sick leave and paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan, with employer match
• Employee Referral Bonus Program

Applicant Notes

• Applicants must provide complete work history with employer references for last three to five years
• All employees are subject to a pre-employment background check and pre-employment and random drug testing. Due to working in / being exposed to a safety sensitive environment, THC testing will occur as part of all drug screens.
• This is a full time, in office position. Remote/hybrid options are not available, at this time.

Location

This position is based out of the Dogwood Factory Office at 500 Metcalf St. Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. This role is based at our physical location, and in-person attendance is required. Travel to Dogwood's Corporate office in Bothell and Everett Factory is required on an as needed basis.

Application Assistance

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Dogwood's HR department at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by law.

For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal

Disclaimer: Although the Company has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, the Company reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the Company, at any time, with or without advance notice. In order to meet company deadlines, work in excess of 40 hours per week may be required from time to time.