Benefit Specialist

Benefits Administrator

The Benefits Administrator is responsible for the accurate, compliant, and employee-focused administration of the Credit Union's employee benefit programs. This role manages day-to-day benefits operations, supports open enrollment and vendor relationships, ensures timely and accurate processing of benefit transactions, and serves as a knowledgeable resource for employees regarding health, welfare, retirement, leave, and wellness benefits. The ideal candidate brings at least five years of hands-on benefits administration experience and has direct or closely related experience supporting self-funded health plans. This individual also serves as a back up to bi-weekly payroll and post payroll process.

Essential Functions

• Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, retirement plans, and related offerings.
• Manage benefit enrollments, changes, terminations, qualifying life events, beneficiary updates, and other benefit transactions in the HRIS, payroll, carrier, and vendor systems.
• Support the administration/implementation of self-funded health plan arrangements, including claims data coordination, stop-loss reporting support, eligibility management, vendor reporting, and invoice reconciliation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit questions through a ticketing system, providing clear, accurate, and confidential guidance on eligibility, coverage, claims, plan provisions, and enrollment procedures.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, including system setup, employee communications, enrollment meetings, vendor coordination, and post-enrollment audit and reconciliation activities.
• Reconcile monthly carrier and vendor invoices, research discrepancies, coordinate corrections, and work with payroll to ensure accurate employee deductions and employer contributions are recorded.
• Maintain accurate benefits records and employee files in compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and audit standards.
• Partner with third party benefit vendors, consultants, third-party administrators, carriers, retirement plan vendors, and other service providers to resolve issues and support effective plan administration.
• Assist with benefits compliance activities, including ACA reporting, COBRA administration, HIPAA requirements, ERISA notices, Section 125 plan administration, annual filings, plan documents, and required employee notices such as mid-year enrollments and terminations.
• Support leave-related benefit coordination, including continuation of benefits during FMLA, PFMLA, disability, workers' compensation, military leave, and other approved leaves of absence.
• Prepare benefits reports, audits, census data, renewal information, and other documentation needed for internal review, vendor management, finance, compliance, and executive decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to enhance benefits processes, improve employee communications, increase efficiency, and strengthen controls in a growing financial institution environment.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information and demonstrate professionalism consistent with the Credit Union's values, member-focused culture, and regulatory expectations.
• Work in collaboration with VP of HR and Training to coordinate and communicate with brokers and vendors concerning administration and design of plans.
• Works in coordination with HR Generalist to complete miscellaneous research, reports, and employee surveys, and memos as requested. Reporting includes Federal and Delaware DOL employment reports, OSHA reporting, EEO-1, AAP, 5500.
• Assist with preparation and entering of payroll data. Ensures accurate and timely performance of payroll functions in accordance with established policies, procedures, and all applicable state and federal wage and hour laws.
• Provides assistance and answers general human resource/payroll related questions for team members and managers.
• Assist with all FSA, HRA and payroll reports for Accounting department as needed (weekly, monthly)
• Creates positive working relationships with employees, credit union leadership and HR and Training Team.
• Delivers exceptional service, models credit union values, and promotes a respectful and cooperative work environment.
• Responsible for managing risks specific to related job functions with an expectation to make and support risk-informed decisions and remain diligent in identifying emerging risks that could jeopardize the success of the Credit Union.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management preferred or related discipline or equivalent combination of education and professional level human resources experience with focus on benefits administration.
• Three or more years of professional human resources experience in benefits and payroll administration.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to employment and benefits.
• Must be technology savvy and have the ability to learn new software applications quickly. Proficient in the use of HRIS and applicant tracking systems and MS Office software.
• Ability to analyze complex and sensitive issues and situations, identify alternative solutions, and implement effective course of actions.
• Ability to analyze work processes and to make recommendations for process improvement.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, manage multiple projects and perform efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and ability to ensure important details in process are not overlooked or missed.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to present information effectively to all levels of the organization.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders across the organization.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach above or at shoulder level. The employee must occasionally lift/push/pull and/or carry up to 10 pounds.