Benefits and Leave Specialist

Fora Pathways Inc•Village of Garden City, NY

1d•$65,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Fora is a nonprofit organization advancing inclusion for individuals with disabilities by building pathways to meaningful work in integrated settings, transforming lives while supporting independence and growth. Learn more: teamfora.org About Fora Work changes everything. We make it happen. Since 1996, we’ve connected individuals with disabilities to meaningful employment by partnering with organizations that expect both performance and purpose. We are a multi-region workforce model supporting operations across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our teams are integrated into daily operations, maintaining facilities, supporting office functions, managing mailrooms, and more. We operate across a wide range of services, including facilities support, administrative operations, warehouses, call center services, and other essential functions. At Fora, employment is more than a job. It’s a foundation for independence, confidence, and dignity, expanding what’s possible in the workplace and beyond, and shaping how we work every day.

Requirements

Demonstrated commitment to providing responsive, employee-centered support in a professional environment
Experience serving as a resource and support to employees with benefit and leave plans and programs
Ability to communicate complex information clearly, professionally, and accessibly to employees with diverse backgrounds and support needs
Strong relationship-building, organizational, and follow-through skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accuracy, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to support benefits and leave-related issue resolution
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using HCM systems and/or benefits administration systems
Ability to interpret benefits information, maintain accurate records, and support benefits-related problem solving
Knowledge of applicable benefits and leave regulations including FMLA, COBRA, ERISA, ADA, workers’ compensation, and related compliance requirements
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee information

Nice To Haves

Experience with ADP Workforce Now
Experience supporting benefits or leave administration in government contracting, prevailing wage, or similarly regulated environments preferred
Experience supporting diverse, multilingual, and disability-inclusive workforces preferred
Spanish language skills are a plus
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, CEBS, or related certifications are a plus

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefits and leave-related questions and support needs
Provide responsive, professional, and employee-centered support to employees, managers, and external partners
Educate employees on benefit offerings, enrollment processes, leave programs, and available resources using clear and accessible communication
Support employees through onboarding, benefits enrollment, qualifying life events, leave requests, and return-to-work processes and offboarding
Conduct benefits onboarding sessions and employee education meetings in both group and individual settings
Develop, update, and distribute employee-facing benefits communications and materials
Support communication accessibility ensuring benefits information is understandable and accessible to diverse employee populations
Administer employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, flexible spending, COBRA and related benefit offerings
Coordinate benefits enrollments, status changes, terminations and related processes while ensuring accuracy and timely follow-up
Maintain accurate employee benefits records within HCM and benefits administration systems
Support annual open enrollment planning, coordination, employe communications, and onsite enrollment support
Assist with benefits plan renewals and support the evaluation of plan options, employee feedback, and operational needs in partnership with HR leadership
Monitor leave activity and facilitate communication throughout the leave process including FMLA, disability leaves, paid family leave, workers’ compensation, and return-to-work processes
Support implementation and ongoing coordination of third-party leave administration services
Provide guidance and support to employees and managers throughout the leave process while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism
Support initiatives to strengthen employee engagement, recognition and retention. Current programs include employee feedback and engagement surveys and organizational events in partnership with HR leadership
Develop and co-lead onboarding sessions and HR related training and employee education initiatives
Monitor benefits and leave administration activities and reporting processes
Administer and distribute required notices, filings, and plan documentation in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations
Support compliance-related reporting and documentation requirements including ERISA, OSHA 300, COBRA, leave administration documentation, census reporting, and related recordkeeping
Maintain confidentiality and accuracy of employee information and benefits records
Serve as day-to-day contact for benefits vendors, brokers, third-party administrators, and leave administration partners
Support benefits system administration within ADP Workforce Now and related systems
Monitor benefits data feeds, eligibility reporting, and carrier connections to support data accuracy and timely issue resolution
Coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders during benefits system updates, feed implementations, and process changes