Benefits and Leave Specialist

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach•Lakewood, CA

About The Position

The Benefits and Leave Specialist administers the Bank’s employee benefits and supports leave programs and related Human Resources operations. The role provides guidance to employees and managers, coordinates enrollment and leave processes, manages vendors and records, and supports compliance with applicable federal and California laws, Bank policies, internal controls, and service standards. The specialist administers health, welfare, wellness, and retirement programs; supports leaves of absence, accommodations, and return-to-work processes; maintains HRIS and benefits records; coordinates with vendors and internal partners; and assists with communications, audits, reporting, and program improvements. The position also serves as the Car Fleet Administrator, maintaining repair invoices, DMV registration records, and WEX gas mileage records. The role requires discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters. Work is primarily performed in an office environment with standard office conditions. The position requires repetitive office and computer-based movements, sitting or standing for extended periods, and the ability to lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. Standard computers and customary office equipment are used. This is a non-exempt hourly position with a listed compensation range of $29.00–$46.00 per hour. The position requires a mandatory two consecutive weeks of absence from essential duties each calendar year, scheduled in coordination with management. It is not eligible for an Officer Title.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Five or more years of progressive Human Resources experience, including benefits administration, leave management, HR operations, or employee relations.
Working knowledge of federal and California benefits, leave, disability accommodation, wage replacement, and employment requirements.
Knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, Section 125, Medicare, and Department of Labor requirements.
Knowledge of health and welfare benefits administration, including eligibility, enrollment, claims support, payroll deductions, open enrollment, and vendor management.
Knowledge of Bank policies, privacy requirements, and relevant banking regulations.
Strong critical thinking, judgment, problem-solving, organization, and attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to handle complex, sensitive, and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism.
Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with employees, management, vendors, brokers, and external partners.
Technical aptitude and proficiency with HRIS and benefits systems and Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Basic mathematical and numerical skills.
Ability to perform repetitive office and computer-based movements, sit or stand for extended periods, lift/carry/move objects up to 25 pounds, and use hands and fingers to operate office equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Use standard electronic computers and customary office equipment to perform essential job functions.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Leave Management certification.

Responsibilities

Administer employee health, welfare, and wellness benefits, including eligibility, enrollments, life events, coverage changes, claims support, and terminations.
Serve as a resource for employees and managers on benefit plans, eligibility, enrollment requirements, claims, and coverage.
Maintain accurate benefits records and employee data in HRIS and benefits administration systems while safeguarding confidential information.
Reconcile benefit eligibility data against carrier invoices; audit payroll deductions; investigate discrepancies; and maintain data accuracy.
Coordinate annual open enrollment, including communications, system updates, vendor coordination, and employee support.
Partner with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators on plan administration, renewals, wellness initiatives, and employee education.
Ensure timely distribution of required benefits notices, communications, and reports, including those related to COBRA and ACA.
Monitor vendor performance and service levels and help resolve benefits service issues.
Monitor COBRA status for terminated employees, coordinate with the vendor, maintain reporting, and communicate status and requirements to affected employees.
Serve as Car Fleet Administrator and maintain repair invoices, DMV registration records, and WEX gas mileage records.
Support administration of employee leave programs, including FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, military leave, workers’ compensation, and applicable wage replacement benefits.
Guide employees and managers on leave eligibility, documentation, accommodations, return-to-work processes, and related policies.
Support and coordinate complex leave and accommodation cases by assessing eligibility, facilitating the interactive process, interpreting policies, and recommending compliant resolutions.
Support and coordinate return-to-work activities, including medical certifications, work restrictions, reasonable accommodations, modified duty, and transitional work arrangements.
Support and monitor COBRA status for employees on leave, coordinating with the vendor, maintaining reports, and communicating status and requirements.
Maintain accurate leave records, HRIS updates, notices, and reports while protecting confidentiality and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Work with third-party leave administrators and internal stakeholders to monitor cases, resolve issues, and support timely communication, documentation, and service delivery.
Administer retirement plan eligibility, enrollments, beneficiary updates, employee inquiries, distributions, and related communications.
Coordinate with retirement plan vendors, Payroll, and Finance to support accurate contributions, deductions, recordkeeping, and reporting.
Support employee education and communications about retirement plan features and participation opportunities.
Evaluate benefits, leave, and retirement program effectiveness and recommend improvements to compliance, efficiency, cost management, and employee experience.
Help develop and maintain benefits- and leave-related communications, guides, training materials, and employee resources.
Support regulatory reporting, HR audits, research initiatives, special projects, and other related duties as assigned.
Comply with applicable state and federal banking laws, regulations, and internal policies, including BSA, AML, OFAC, CIP, financial elder abuse reporting, sexual harassment prevention, information security, and privacy requirements.
Complete the required two consecutive weeks of annual absence from essential duties, coordinated with management.