Benefits Operations Specialist

Benefits Operations Specialist

The Benefits Operations Specialist serves as a key member of the Human Resources and People & Culture team, providing advanced administrative, operational, and compliance support across the employee lifecycle. This position is responsible for administering HR processes, maintaining employee records, supporting compliance initiatives, coordinating workforce-related activities, and delivering accurate HR reporting and analytics.

The Benefits Operations Specialist works closely with HR Business Partners, Payroll, Operations, and leadership teams to ensure efficient HR operations, regulatory compliance, and positive employee experience.

Benefit Administration

• Administer employee benefit enrollments, changes, qualifying life events, and terminations, ensuring accurate updates across HRIS, payroll, and vendor systems.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefit plans, eligibility, enrollment, payroll deductions, and related processes.
• Partner with benefit vendors to resolve enrollment, eligibility, claims, billing, and other benefits-related issues.
• Support new hire onboarding and orientation by providing benefit education and enrollment assistance.
• Maintain accurate employee benefits records, documentation, and electronic files.
• Coordinate and support annual open enrollment activities, employee communications, educational sessions, and benefits-related events.
• Maintain and update benefits materials, resources, and communications to ensure employees have current and accurate information.

Benefit Reporting and Administration

• Reconcile benefit invoices, payroll deductions, eligibility files, and vendor reports to ensure timely and accurate processing.
• Perform regular audits of employee benefits, payroll, and HRIS data; research and resolve discrepancies.
• Generate recurring and ad hoc reports related to benefits administration, enrollment, compliance, and workforce data.
• Ensure data integrity across HRIS, payroll, and benefit vendor systems.

Leave Administration Support

• Support leave administration by maintaining leave documentation, tracking employee leave activity, monitoring timelines, and coordinating communications.
• Serve as a point of contact for employee leave inquiries and coordinate with employees, managers, Payroll, Human Resources, and third-party leave administrators.
• Maintain accurate leave records and reporting while ensuring timely processing of required documentation.
• Support leave and accommodation administration but does not make eligibility, accommodation, or return-to-work determinations.

Compliance and Collaboration

• Maintain confidentiality of employee information and ensure compliance with applicable benefits, leave, and privacy regulations.
• Collaborate with Payroll, Accounting, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, and external vendors to ensure accurate and timely processing of employee benefits information.
• Identify opportunities to improve benefits administration processes, enhance operational efficiency, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience supporting employee benefits, human resources, payroll, employee services, or related administrative functions.
• Experience with HRIS systems, data entry, reporting, auditing, and employee support preferred.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now and benefits administration processes is a plus.
• Knowledge of reporting, auditing, and data reconciliation practices.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to identify discrepancies, investigate issues, and coordinate resolutions.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal and external partners.
• Ability to learn and adapt to changing systems, processes, and regulations.
• Ability to support Goodwill Central Texas's mission, values, and commitment to serving the community.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license required.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally between Goodwill work sites as needed.

Preferred Requirements

• Knowledge of employee benefits programs and benefits administration processes.
• Familiarity with leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, disability programs, and leave tracking requirements.
• Understanding of payroll deductions, employee data management, and HRIS systems.
• Working knowledge of applicable regulations related to employee benefits and leave programs, including ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, and ADA.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift to 15 pounds at times.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk or hear.
• The ability to cope with and tolerate moderate levels of stress is also a necessity. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Goodwill Central Texas is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all Team Members. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Background Check Requirement:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check. This may include verification of employment history, education, criminal background, and other information relevant to the position.