Benefit Specialist

Woda Cooper•Columbus, OH

22h•Onsite

About The Position

Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. is a rapidly growing employee-owned development, construction, and property management organization dedicated to creating quality affordable housing across 18 states, managing over 16,000 housing units. The company consistently ranks among the top affordable housing developers and owners in the country. The Benefit Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration and oversight of employee benefit programs, including health and welfare plans, 401(k), and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This role ensures benefits are administered accurately, competitively, and in full compliance with federal and state regulations, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Benefit Specialist serves as a subject matter expert for employees and internal partners, supporting a positive employee experience while managing vendor relationships and data integrity.

Requirements

Strong working knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including reporting requirements
Familiarity with ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and IRS regulations
Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to manage confidential information
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
3+ years of experience in benefits administration
Hands-on experience administering health and welfare benefits, 401(k), and ESOPs
Experience working with HRIS and benefits administration platforms
Must possess a valid driver’s license and insurance
Travel with notice required
Must be able to safely lift up to 20 pounds

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience with Paycom

Responsibilities

Administer all health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, and voluntary benefits
Manage annual open enrollment planning, communications, and execution
Serve as point of contact for benefit vendors, brokers, and carriers
Coordinate benefit onboarding, life event changes, and terminations
Reconcile benefit invoices and resolve discrepancies
Support benefit audits and ensure accurate plan documentation
Oversee the yearly virtual wellness fair, coordinating vendors, scheduling sessions, and promoting participation
Develop and implement education and wellness initiatives that encourage healthy lifestyles and enhance overall employee well-being
Oversee the company’s professional development program, ensuring leadership approval is received
Administer the company’s 401(k) plan, including enrollments, contributions, loans, distributions, and compliance testing
Partner with plan fiduciaries, recordkeepers, and auditors to ensure plan compliance with ERISA and IRS regulations
Support administration of the ESOP, including eligibility tracking, allocations, distributions, and coordination with trustees and third-party administrators
Maintain accurate participant records and ensure timely reporting
Perform regular quality checks on benefits-related data to ensure accuracy and compliance
Distribute enrollment materials and verify eligibility for all benefit programs
Ensure compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including measurement and stability periods
Prepare, audit, and distribute Forms 1094-C and 1095-C
Monitor full-time employee status and eligibility thresholds
Respond to IRS ACA notices and resolve discrepancies
Stay current on ACA regulatory updates and ensure internal processes remain compliant
Educate employees on benefit offerings, eligibility, and plan features
Respond to employee inquiries and resolve benefit-related issues with a high level of service
Develop clear benefit communications and educational materials
Support wellness initiatives and benefit engagement strategies
Maintain accurate benefits data in HRIS and payroll systems
Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and other applicable regulations
Support annual audits, nondiscrimination testing, and regulatory filings
Identify opportunities to improve benefit processes, systems, and employee experience
Manage benefit vendor invoicing and background invoicing --- collaborate with Accounts Payable to ensure timely payment
All other duties as assigned