Benefits Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

The Benefits Specialist will manage overall benefits administration for a leading Health Care Management company with 50+ Locations with headquarters in Nassau County, New York. This position will directly support the corporate office as well as the growing locations for employee benefits needs, the various employee leaves and workers compensation. Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, this position will work directly with HR leadership, individual site owners and insurance brokers to provide benefits and programs to attract and retain talent across the organization.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as day to day contact for plan vendors, insurance brokers and third-party administrators.
• Together with our insurance brokers, design, recommend and implement new benefits programs. Examine possible plan designs and benefits cost changes.
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration.
• Evaluate systems and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes. 
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
• Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing. 
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll deductions.
• Oversee the processing of monthly billings and the communications with Finance for payments.
• Work directly with insurance brokers on Site benefits renewals throughout the year. Communicate rate and benefit changes to Site Owners and prepare employee communications.
• Communicate regularly with management on employees requesting leave: NY PFL, NY DBL, FMLA. Communicate with employees, forms and documentation required, and with payroll.
• Analyze current benefits, evaluating the use, services, coverage, effectiveness, cost, plan experience and competitive trends in benefits programs, and identify the company's stance.
• Survey industry trends. Complete benefits surveys and review information obtained from the results. Analyze complex benefits information. Forecast trends and assist with future benefits designs. Develop specific recommendations for review by management.
• Monitor administrative costs of benefits programs and recommend cost containment strategies, including alternative methods for administration and funding. Prepare budgetary recommendations and assist in the monitoring, verifying and reconciling of budgeted funds.
• Provide customer service support to internal and external customers. Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the company's benefits package.
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions. Provide training and support to group benefits associates, home office associates and the field staff

 

EDUCATION & TRAINING

• Bachelor?s degree in Human Resources or Business preferred
• SHRM, PHR certification or CEBS a plus

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Strong knowledge of employee benefits contract language.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers' compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.
• 2 - 5 years experience in a benefits roll required.

 

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Computer proficiency with Microsoft products, including PowerPoint. Expert level Microsoft Excel knowledge a must. 
• Experience with HRIS and benefits databases.
• Project and team management/leadership skills and experience.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates.
• Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Attention to time sensitive tasks and details
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs.
• Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on proposals (RFPs).
• Excellent communication and organization skills.

 

Annual Salary Range: $67,000.00 - 77,000.00 (based on experience)