Benefits Specialist

Salary Range: 29 to 36 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-hour-wage)

Responsibilities

• Assists with all employee benefits programs and the relevant laws/regulations that govern them, including medical, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability, COBRA, ERISA, ACA, flexible spending accounts, in partnership with Benefits Manager.
• Manages all employee Leave of Absence programs and the relevant laws/regulations that govern them, including FMLA, LOA, ADA, and all other protected Leaves of Absences. Partners with Benefits Manager on any complex leaves.
• Partners with Benefits Manager for Safety initiatives and processes, including Disaster Recovery, Emergency Evacuations, etc. in partnership with Benefits Manager.
• Owns Wellness initiatives.
• Overall coordination and execution of benefit orientation and enrollment process with new employees.
• Coordinates with Payroll and/or Accounting for employee payment of benefit deductions premiums during LOA along with benefit arrear payments for life events.
• Creates periodic compliance and reconciliation reporting utilizing HRIS as needed
• Completes monthly and annual audits, ensuring compliance with ACA, notice distribution, non-discrimination testing, as well as any internal reviews of benefits plans & deductions. 
• Responds to employee inquires and/or claims assistance, in a manner that remains compliant with local, state and federal laws, while providing excellent customer service at every interaction.  
• Partners with Benefits Manager for coordination and facilitation of annual Open Enrollment process. 
• Assists employees in the worker’s compensation process, maintains worker’s compensation reporting in HRIS
• Audit, reconcile and pay monthly insurance statements and premiums.
• Partner with consultants, vendors, brokers and carriers to optimize benefit plans and programs.
• Continuously research and communicate changes and updates to benefits and regulations.
• Collaborate with HR Leadership regarding specific initiatives, programs or company-wide issues affecting Mission Healthcare.  
• Assist with human resources projects and serve as back-up to out-of-office colleagues.  
• Conducts business in a manner that displays a high level of confidentiality, and integrity at all times. 
• Additional responsibilities as assigned. 

Company Standards

• Demonstrates company awareness and commitment of Understands and appropriately applies the chain of command in relation to job position and supervision.
• Knows and understands the company’s mission in relation to own job position.
• Always observes confidentiality policy
• Protects and honors customer and co-worker confidentiality.
• Respects customers’ and co-workers right to privacy.
• Observes attendance and attire policies 
• Meets attendance and punctuality expectations.
• Demonstrates cooperation with scheduling requests to meet company needs.
• Consistently adheres to company dress code.
• Complies with all other related policies, procedures and requests
• Recommends and/or supports changes to policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of policies and procedures applicable to own job position.
• Ensure adherence to all company policies, regulatory requirements, and the company code of conduct, including but not limited to data privacy, workplace safety, and anti-discrimination laws.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong emotional intelligence, ability to deliver complicated subject matter in a manner that is easy to understand. 
• Strong ability to relate to individuals at all organizational levels. 
• Ability to present themselves professionally and ethically.
• Sensitive to corporate needs, internal customer needs, and Mission’s community presence.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years in Human Resources, focusing on employee benefits, leave of absence, etc.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Human Resources certification preferred.
• 1-2 years of Safety and Worker’s Compensation experience preferred.
• Knowledge of employee benefits programs and the relevant laws and regulations that govern them, including medical, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability, COBRA, ERISA, flexible spending accounts. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate complex benefit concepts in an understanding and empathetic manner.
• Ability to handle confidential matters and information with the highest level of discretion. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with an emphasis in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Prioritize daily issues, tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working independently; self-starter with a strong work ethic and sense of urgency.

Job Performance

• Commitment to Excellence - Identifies what needs to be accomplished and acts to achieve a standard of excellence beyond job expectations.  
• Values - Understands, embraces, and integrates Mission’s corporate values into everyday duties and responsibilities
• Service Excellence - Identifies and responds to current and future needs by providing excellent service to internal and external customers. 
• Safety & Security - Promotes a safe work environment for co-workers and customers.
• Teamwork - Resourceful team player that builds, strengthens, and maintains collaborative relationships with others inside or outside the organization. 
• Attention to Detail - Ensures one's own and other's work and information are complete and accurate. 
• Systematically develops plans, prioritizes, organizes and manages resources in order to accomplish business goals within a specific time period.